this Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip has been our go to appetizer for years! everyone loves it and it will quickly become your favorite, too.

Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip

Just in time for holiday parties, game day, and this coming Tuesday, I am bringing you my favorite dip!

I wish I was actually bringing it to you, that is how much I know you’ll love this dip. This has been a go to appetizer for years, based on a cheese and mayonnaise based classic from way back in the day.

This one is packed with veggies and cashews and my signature ingredient for bringing that cheesy tangy goodness. 

Then it is topped with onions.

Oh yum.

Bacon Substitutes

Did you know that those old school salad topper Bacon Bits are vegan?! 

I found that out quite a while ago now, but I remember just being amazed. This was years before homemade vegan bacon methods came about.

Still. 

I use those old school bacon bits in this dip. They are crunchy. They are salty bacony GOOD.

If for whatever reason you’d rather not, I get it. Use tempeh bacon bits. Even Shiitake Bacon, because that’s good too. I do not recommend that rice paper bacon for this dip, though – it gets weird.

Yep. I’ve tried it. Trust my experience on this one.

Caramelized Onions How To

To achieve the glorious deliciousness that is a caramelized onion, you mostly need patience. That’s about it. Get yourself a skillet, one large yellow onion, butter, salt, and patience.

Try to find a large skillet so the onions have space to sizzle in a single layer. 

Slice the onion in half, then in half moon slices.

I use tongs to pick up and flip the onions as they cook, so they caramelize evenly.

…and then just watch the onions cook. and wait.

I am often doing other prep work or cooking while caramelizing onions. Something else that doesn’t require constant work – like chopping or mixing. Something that I can stop while I take a minute to stir the onions as they cook.

As an example – you can prep the ingredients for this dip while the onions caramelize!

I cannot wait for you to make this dip.

See the recipe below for full details about how to caramelize onions.

More Dip Recipes:

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spicy Chipotle Kabocha Dip

Tasty High Protein Enchilada Dip

Cool Dill Pickle Dip In A Bread Bowl

Spinach Dip

Rich Thai Dip

Green Goodness Dressing & Dip

Whipped Lentil Chipotle Dip

Bright Lemon Pickled Beet Hummus

Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese Dip

How To Caramelize Onions

YIELD: 1 cup

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons dairy free butter or olive oil
2 large yellow onions
1 tablespoon sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Peel onions. Slice each onion in half from the top, then slice each half onion into half rounds.

In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.

Add sliced onions to melted butter, keeping heat at medium to medium low.

Sprinkle with sea salt.  Stir to coat the onions with melted butter. Arrange onion slices in an even layer, covering the entire surface of the skillet. Stir occasionally as the onions cook, 15 to 20 minutes.

Add water by the tablespoon as needed.

(Depending on the onion, sometimes they dry out faster than other times – I do not always need to add water if the onions are not drying.)

Continue to stir occasionally and cook over medium to medium low heat, until onions reach a deep caramel color. This process generally takes 25 to 30 minutes – you can caramelize onions as you are prepping another dish (like the ingredients for this dip).

Use this recipe for this Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip, or cool completely and store covered in refrigerator. Add to sandwiches and all sorts of recipes, use within 3 days.

Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip

YIELD: 3 cups / 12 servings

dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan

INGREDIENTS:

1 head cauliflower, peeled, stemmed and chopped
1 cube vegetable boullion (gluten free)
12 ounces sauerkraut brine (1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup sauerkraut
1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 recipe (1 cup) Caramelized Onions
2-3 tablespoons Vegan Bacon Bits or Shiitake Bacon, plus more for garnish
pinch sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

Caramelize onions ahead of this recipe. (Prep ingredients and begin this dip recipe as you watch over the caramelization of the onions.)

Place chopped cauliflower in large stock pot with the vegetable bouillon. Add enough water to completely cover cauliflower and then some – an inch or two over. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Continue at a simmer for 6-8 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender. Drain immediately and set aside to cool.

In a blender, combine sauerkraut brine, sauerkraut, cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Blend at highest speed until completely smooth.

(At this point, the consistency will be thin. It thickens when you add the cauliflower, and if you like a thinner queso, you may want to reserve the cauliflower water to add in, a tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency.)

Add cooled cauliflower and blend until completely smooth. Add additional water to thin as needed. (I sometimes add dry vermouth instead of water to this recipe.)

Transfer dip to saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as dip warms through – a few minutes. Add most of the caramelized onions (3/4 cup or so) and bacon bits.

Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with more caramelized onion, bacon bits. Serve warm with fresh veggies, bread, crackers.

Store leftovers in refrigerator in covered container. Best used within 3-4 days.

once you make this, you’ll get it.

Try AmazonFresh Free Trial for Unlimited Grocery Delivery – add these recipe ingredients to your list. use code FRESH25 for a $25 off discount on your first AmazonFresh order!

ABOUT KRISTINA: Kristina is spabettie! She founded spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. As the sole recipe developer and photographer, Kristina turned her culinary training into the best way to spend her days – sharing just how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is! She loves dachshunds, Portland, Hawaii, drummers – well, one drummer – and travel.

printable Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip recipes:

Yield: 3 cups / 9 servings

Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip

Print

this Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip has been our go to appetizer for years! everyone loves it and it will quickly become your favorite, too.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, peeled, stemmed and chopped
• 1 cube vegetable boullion (gluten free)
• 12 ounces sauerkraut brine (1 1/2 cups)
• 3/4 cup sauerkraut
• 1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 recipe (1 cup) Caramelized Onions
• 2-3 tablespoons Vegan Bacon Bits or Shiitake Bacon, plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Caramelize onions ahead of this recipe. (Prep ingredients and begin this dip recipe as you watch over the caramelization of the onions.)
2. Place chopped cauliflower in large stock pot with the vegetable bouillon. Add enough water to completely cover cauliflower and then some – an inch or two over. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Continue at a simmer for 6-8 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender. Drain immediately and set aside to cool.
3. In a blender, combine sauerkraut brine, sauerkraut, cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Blend at highest speed until completely smooth.
4. (At this point, the consistency will be thin. It thickens when you add the cauliflower, and if you like a thinner queso, you may want to reserve the cauliflower water to add in, a tablespoon at a time, to reach desired consistency.)
5. Add cooled cauliflower and blend until completely smooth. Add additional water to thin as needed. (I sometimes add dry vermouth instead of water to this recipe.)
6. Transfer dip to saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as dip warms through - a few minutes. Add most of the caramelized onions (3/4 cup or so) and bacon bits.
7. Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with more caramelized onion, bacon bits. Serve warm with fresh veggies, bread, crackers.
8. Store leftovers in refrigerator in covered container. Best used within 3-4 days.

Notes

dairy, egg, and gluten free, vegan

Recommended Products

• 
  McCormick Imitation Bacon Bits, 4.4 oz

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1/3 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 118 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 6mg Sodium: 561mg Carbohydrates: 12g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 4g Protein: 7g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

Yield: 1 cup

How To Caramelize Onions

Print

To achieve the glorious deliciousness that is a caramelized onion, you mostly need patience. That's about it. Get yourself a skillet, one large yellow onion, butter, salt, and patience.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons dairy free butter or olive oil
• 2 large yellow onions
• 1 tablespoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Peel onions. Slice each onion in half from the top, then slice each half onion into half rounds.
2. In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
3. Add sliced onions to melted butter, keeping heat at medium to medium low.
4. Sprinkle with sea salt. Stir to coat the onions with melted butter. Arrange onion slices in an even layer, covering the entire surface of the skillet. Stir occasionally as the onions cook, 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Add water by the tablespoon as needed.
6. (Depending on the onion, sometimes they dry out faster than other times - I do not always need to add water if the onions are not drying.)
7. Continue to stir occasionally and cook over medium to medium low heat, until onions reach a deep caramel color. This process generally takes 25 to 30 minutes - you can caramelize onions as you are prepping another dish (like the ingredients for this dip).
8. Use this recipe for this Warm Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip, or cool completely and store covered in refrigerator. Add to sandwiches and all sorts of recipes, use within 3 days.

Notes

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 67 Total Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 238mg Carbohydrates: 3g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 2g Protein: 0g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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