The best French onion dip is creamy, savory, and packed with caramelized onion flavor. Onions are my favorite food. You heard right. If I could only eat one ingredient for the rest of my life, it would be onion. I think it is a miracle that so much flavor can be contained in one orb that grows underground. And surprise! Since I love onions, I love French onion dip.
This creamy, rich, oniony potato chip accoutrement is easily one of my favorite dips in the world when done correctly. In my opinion, store bought French onion dip should taste like caramelized onions, not just onions in general. That’s what sets this delicious dip apart. Since I’m an onion expert, I tried every French onion dip I could find at the grocery store over the course of two separate taste tests to see which ones are worthy of your next party spread or movie night on the couch. Our list may surprise you, but just trust us!
- Lay’s French Onion Dip
If you’re looking for the best classic French onion dip, Lay’s from the jar is what you should be buying. It is the sort of traditional French onion dip you can imagine being part of a party spread in the 1950s, and still holds up today. It’s savory, oniony, salty, and super affordable. Make sure to note that this is the jarred version. It’s not as good as the metal can of Frito-Lay French Onion Dip, but it’s still really good. Plus, it has the delicious flavor of nostalgia, making it one of the best store bought French onion dip brands we tried.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Hope Foods Cashew & Almond French Onion Dip
Hope Foods Cashew & Almond French Onion Dip is one of the best French onion dip brands we tried because it’s so interesting and unique. Unlike many other vegan versions of French onion dip, this doesn’t try to fake dairy. It’s not super creamy or rich. Instead, it does its own thing, and we love that. It has the rich caramelized onion flavor that you expect, and then a hint of nuttiness from the cashew and almond. It has lots of textural interest. It’s chunky in a way that’s similar to pesto and it’s very pleasing. This is one of the most interesting and best French onion dip varities for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Dean’s French Onion Dip
To me, Dean’s is more like fresh onion dip than French onion dip; however, it is delicious nonetheless. You don’t get that caramelized taste that’s common to French onion dip, so leave your expectations at the door. Instead, this is more like the packet of ranch dip you make at home with sour cream. It’s very, very tasty and creamy and fresh. It almost gives the impression it’s made with fresh scallions rather than the white or yellow onions in French onion dip is traditionally made with. You should buy this, but prepare yourself for something different than you’re used to. That being said, it’s the best onion dip for dunking veggies or pizza.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Frito Lay French Onion Dip
Before you lay into me for choosing this dip from a metal can over so many of the fancy refrigerated dips out there, just listen. This simply tastes better! It tastes more French onion-y than so many other dips we tried. It’s savory and packed with umami. This would be a great sandwich spread or sauce for rotisserie chicken. It’s super cheap. You can literally buy this at a gas station. What’s not to love about a delicious, affordable, accessible dip? Frito-Lay French Onion Dip, you will always have a place in my heart as one of the best French onion dips of all time.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Good & Gather Classic Onion Dip
Target’s Good & Gather Classic Onion Dip blew us away. It’s easily one of the best French onion dip options we tried. Honestly, it is one of the best dips we’ve had in general. This tastes homemade in the best way possible. It’s super thick and creamy, and tastes more like cream cheese than sour cream, which is heavenly. Onion flavor and onion pieces are prominent throughout. You could put this out at a party and people would think you made it and that you’re an amazing cook. Take advantage of that! Lie to your friends and family!
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- La Terra Fina Caramelized Onion with Roasted Garlic Dip & Spread
This is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. It’s incredible. La Terra Fina’s version of this iconic dip was the best French onion dip we tried when we returned to the tasting table for a second taste test. Heavenly is the best word to describe it. The base is lusciously creamy. The onion flavor is strong. You get actual pieces of onion in this dip. The roasted garlic adds to the subtle sweetness without being distracting. This is a dip I would pay money for at a restaurant. Luckily, I don’t have to! I can eat it for less money from the comfort of my couch.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
Best Classic
Best Vegan
Best Fresh
Best Budget
Best of the Best Runner-Up
Best of the Best
Other French onion dips we tried: Hidden Valley Ranch, Helluva Good, Kite Hill, Violife, Trader Joe’s, Trader Joe’s (Vegan), Bitchin’ Sauce Caramelized Onion
but did you try the Trader Joe’s WITH the caramelized onions
Ya’ll didn’t even put the best one on the list! Helluva Good is top tier IMO!
Maybe it’s just my area of the US (Arkansas) but Hiland brand French onion dip is our go to.
I’m not familiar with the other brands listed here besides Deans…. and when someone brings Deans it means they were out of stock of Hiland 😂
Hiland typically sticks to milk and cottage cheese… so maybe their French Onion is limited to the midwest/south?
I’ve had the La Terra one…it tasted like plastic. But then again, everything I’ve tried from them has tasted bad. Either like they have started to turn/not the good kind of sour or like plastic. Each one has been well before the expiration/best buy date, so I don’t know if it’s me or them.
I’ll just stick to making my own onion dip with Lipton onion soup mix and sour cream.
Since Bison Chip Dip is not on this list it is incomplete you should try, nay, need to try Bison Chip Dip.
Hi Mike! We try to only rank things that are widely available across America. Bison Chip Dip is difficult to acquire most places that are not the NE. That being said, I’d personally love to try it one day!
You all should try Lawson’s dip. The history is interesting. Lawson’s was originally a small town dairy in Northeast Ohio which partnered with a company in Japan in the 70’s. That company came to own Lawson’s and eventually sold the US stores to Dairy Mart (a local company), then again to Circle K. There isn’t much left of the name and branding outside of Japan, but Circle K’s in NEO still carry the Lawson Brand chip dip, made by Dairymen’s in NEO (same original recipe). It’s the best! https://case.edu/ech/articles/l/lawsons-dairy-stores
For me, it has always been Kraft French onion dip.
Oh man some of these are good that I have tried but nothing will ever beat Bison brand French onion dip for me! Not sure if you even have that brand around your area.
Did you ever try Mrs. Grass dip?? It’s really good.
Have you ever tried Bison french onion dip? It is and has been the favorite in western new york for a very long time. Helluva Good is another great brand.
The Frito Lay French Onion Dip was GREAT! I was skeptical, but really glad I tried it. My only complaint is that it was way too easy to eat. 🤭😆 Thanks for the review! Karen
Does Helluva good dip exisit in the states, cause if it does, it should have made this list.
I know it’s available in New England, where I’m from, but I don’t think it’s available nation wide. I’ve never seen it while living here in Oregon.
But I agree, Helluva is fantastic.
Yup, had it in Indiana and it is also here in Florida. I think it is the best store bought.
Don’t sleep on Kroger French Onion Dip. Sooo Goood
Come to Western New York and try Bison dip!! Hands down the BEST French onion dip 🤤
Obviously I understand you don’t delve into regional foods, but over here in Ohio it’s basically a sin to show up with anything other than Lawson’s French Onion Dip.
AGREED TIMES A THOUSAND. I’m glad I read the comments before I said anything. Lawson’s is hands down the best.
But…from a CAN?!?!? Ok, I’ll give it a try. Did y’all try Borden’s? I personally think it’s better than Deans, and maybe Lay’s as well.
✌️❤️ & happy holidays!
Karen
You guys don’t usually sleep on the Great Value, but I think you did this time! It’s a lot like the Dean’s one, to be fair, which wasn’t the favorite. But what it lacks in caramelized flavor, it makes up in savings! One of these tubs used to be $1. Now it’s closer to $2, but still pretty cheap. AND tasty!