Green onion dip and French onion dip are two classic creamy onion dips that have some similarities but also some key differences. In this article, we’ll take a close look at how these dips are made, what ingredients they contain, how they taste, and when you might choose one dip over the other.
What is green onion dip?
Green onion dip, sometimes also called green onion sour cream dip, is a creamy, tangy dip made primarily from sour cream and fresh green onions (also called scallions or spring onions). Some key characteristics of green onion dip include:
- The main ingredients are sour cream and chopped green onions.
- It has a cool, tangy flavor from the sour cream along with the mild onion kick of the green onions.
- Texture is creamy and rich from the sour cream base.
- Often includes seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder or dill.
- Usually served as a dip with potato chips, vegetables, or crackers.
- Has a distinct light green color from the green onions.
What is French onion dip?
French onion dip is a creamy and flavorful dip made with caramelized onions, sour cream and seasonings. Some key attributes of French onion dip are:
- Main ingredients are caramelized onions and sour cream.
- Onions are slowly sautéed until deeply browned and caramelized, which provides a rich, sweet onion flavor.
- Often includes onion soup mix seasoning for extra onion punch.
- Texture is luxuriously creamy and thick.
- Commonly served paired with potato chips or crudités.
- Boasts an appetizing light brown color from the browned onions.
How is green onion dip made?
Green onion dip comes together quickly and easily. Here is a basic recipe and method:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Chop the green onions, keeping some of the green tops.
- In a bowl, mix together the sour cream, green onions and seasonings.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled with chips, crackers or raw vegetables.
How is French onion dip made?
French onion dip requires a bit more work because of the onion caramelization step. Here is an overview of how it’s made:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook slowly for 20-30 minutes until softened and browned, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer onions to a bowl and stir in sour cream and soup mix until fully blended.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour for flavors to develop.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
Nutrition Comparison
Both dips are high in fat and calories since sour cream is the base. French onion dip tends to be slightly higher in calories and fat because of the addition of onions cooked in butter. Here is a basic nutrition comparison:
| Nutrition Facts | Green Onion Dip | French Onion Dip |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (per 2 tbsp serving) | 60 | 70 |
| Total Fat | 6g | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 2g |
| Protein | 1g | 1g |
Flavor and Taste Comparison
While both dips feature creamy onion flavor, there are some taste differences:
- Green Onion Dip – Tangy and cooling, with a mild fresh onion flavor. Lighter tasting overall.
- French Onion Dip – Robust caramelized onion taste. Sweet and salty depth of flavor. Richer and more indulgent.
When to choose green onion dip
Green onion dip is best served cold and can be a great choice when you want:
- A lighter and more refreshing onion flavor
- A cool, creamy dip on a hot day
- A dip with a little crunch and bite from the green onions
- A quick and easy dip that requires no cooking
When to choose French onion dip
The deeply toasted flavor of French onion dip makes it a good choice when you want:
- A rich, luxurious and intense onion flavor
- A warm and comforting dip on a cold day
- A smooth, ultra creamy texture
- A dip for a hearty appetizer spread or meal
Can you substitute one for the other?
In a pinch, you may be able to substitute green onion dip and French onion dip for one another in some scenarios. However, the flavor profile will be different. Some guidelines:
- Subbing green onion dip for French onion will give you a lighter, cooler onion flavor.
- Subbing French onion dip for green onion will provide a more intense caramelized onion taste.
- Adjust other seasonings to tweak the flavor. Add more onion powder or garlic to green onion dip, or a pinch of sugar to French onion dip.
- For texture, you may need to thin French onion dip with milk or thicken green onion dip with more sour cream.
French Onion Dip Substitutes
Some suitable substitutes for French onion dip include:
| Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|
| Caramelized onion hummus | Will have similar sweet onion flavor but a different consistency |
| Ranch dip | Provides rich creaminess but no onion flavor |
| Onion jam | Contains caramelized onion flavor but is not creamy like dip |
Green Onion Dip Substitutes
You can substitute these options for green onion dip:
| Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sour cream | Same tangy base but no green onion flavor |
| Ranch dip | Provides creamy base and some onion/garlic flavor |
| Guacamole | Similar cool, creamy texture but very different flavor |
Conclusion
While both green onion dip and French onion dip feature sour cream and onions, they deliver very different flavor experiences. Green onion dip is lighter and cooler with just a touch of green onion bite. French onion dip is all about the deep, sweet caramelized onion flavor. Both make great companions to potato chips and veggies. The choice between the two dips depends on whether you prefer a lighter or more indulgent onion taste.