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    Home » Recipes » Dip

    Vegan French Onion Dip (Oil-Free!)

    Feb 2, 2023 by Kaitlin

    This 5-minute vegan French Onion Dip recipe is a tasty appetizer or snack! The creamy base is a simple homemade sour cream, then we infuse it with rich onion flavor. Great for party spreads or snacking at home! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, cashew-free option.)

    Vegan French onion dip in a white bowl with veggies and chips

    This healthier French Onion Dip (also called sour cream and onion dip) is so rich, creamy, and flavorful!

    Plus it comes together nice and easy in about 5 minutes. We take a shortcut method and use dried minced onion flakes instead of caramelized onion.

    The creamy base is achieved by preparing a simple cashew sour cream. (However please see the notes below if you are looking for a nut-free version!)

    Vegan onion dip is a great, crowd-pleasing choice for sides, snacks, appetizers, parties, and get-togethers.

    Raw cashews, onion flakes, spices, vinegar, and lemon ingredients set out in white bowls

    Ingredients for French Onion Dip

    For this recipe you will blend in a high-speed blender, then stir together:

    • Raw cashews: You'll need one cup raw, unsalted cashews. We'll soak them first to help blend into a creamier consistency.
    • Fresh lemon juice: You will need one tablespoon fresh lemon juice for this recipe, which is roughly a quarter of a lemon.
    • Apple cider vinegar: This adds a nice tang to the homemade sour cream. You could also substitute white wine vinegar if needed.
    • Dried onion flakes: These are also known as dried minced onions. They're made from onions that have been minced and dehydrated. We use these instead of caramelized onions because they have lots of flavor and there's no need to cook anything! Just stir them right in.
    • Onion powder
    • Garlic powder
    • Salt: I use fine grain salt for this recipe. We'll include it in the cashew sour cream to help enhance the flavors.

    Blender note: A good quality high-powered blender works best. I use a small Nutribullet for this recipe. It works very well blending the cashews into a creamy consistency. (Previously, I had a Ninja blender that did not work nearly as well.)

    Raw cashews, water, vinegar, and lemon in a small blender before blending

    Customizing

    Stir-ins: Other additions to this dip include a tablespoon or so chopped chives, green onions, dried parsley flakes, fresh parsley, or black pepper to taste. (I love including chives, both as a mix-in and garnish!)

    Cashew-free: Instead of the homemade cashew sour cream, use a store-bought vegan sour cream without cashews. Or if you have a favorite homemade version without nuts, that works great too! You'll need about 1 cup of the dairy-free "sour cream" base. You could also try vegan yogurt (plain & unsweetened) but I haven't tested this version yet.

    Serving

    Chilling time: You can serve this dip right away, but it tastes even better after it chills in the fridge for a couple hours. This allows the flavors to blend and intensify further.

    Dip: Serve it in a bowl as a dip with raw veggies, crackers, crinkle cut chips, or other potato chips. I like carrot sticks, cucumber, tomato, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, etc.

    Condiment: You can even use this as a flavorful sauce to dollop on baked potatoes or with toasted bread.

    Vegan French onion dip being prepared in a small bowl with blue spatula

    Storing

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps well for about 3-4 days.

    Want more cashew goodness? Try this delicious Vegan Ranch Dressing!

    Vegan cashew French onion dip topped with chives with fresh veggies and chips

    For more inspiration, also browse all vegan dip recipes or appetizer recipes.

    Vegan French onion dip in a white bowl with veggies and chips

    Vegan French Onion Dip (Oil-Free!)

    This 5-minute creamy dip combines a tasty homemade sour cream with rich onion flavor. Serve it with fresh veggies, chips, or crackers!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Appetizer, Dip, Snack
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 4 (1/4-cup servings)

    Ingredients

    For the cashew sour cream:

    • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked*)
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
    • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
    • 1/2 tsp. salt

    Stir in:

    • 2 Tbsp. dried onion flakes (dried minced onions)
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • Optional: chives, green onions, dried parsley flakes, black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients for cashew sour cream to a high-speed blender. Blend for at least 30 seconds or until smooth.
    • Pour/scrape sour cream into a small bowl. Add onion flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine. (I also like to add chives.)
    • Can serve immediately, but it's even better after it chills for a couple hours.

    Notes

    *Soaking cashews: Before blending, soak the cashews in room temperature water for at least 4-6 hours or overnight. Then drain and rinse before using. Alternatively, you can "quick soak" the cashews: Place cashews in a heat-safe bowl and carefully add hot/boiling water until cashews are covered. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes. Then rinse and drain.
    Yield: Recipe makes about 1 heaping cup.
    Serving suggestions: Serve with crackers, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, bell pepper, ruffle chips, etc.

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan French Onion Dip (Oil-Free!)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    192
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    14
    g
    22
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Potassium
     
    271
    mg
    8
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    13
    g
    4
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    6
    g
    12
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    23
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you are enjoying this vegan French Onion Dip recipe with cashew sour cream, also check out:

    • Vegan Cashew Queso
    • Cashew Pesto

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Vegan Dip Recipes

    • Cashew Pesto (Oil-Free)
    • Chipotle Crema (Vegan!)
    • Maple Dijon Dressing (Vegan Honey Mustard)
    • Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-Free)

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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