Better Than Store-Bought: Alex Guarnaschelli's Sour Cream And Onion Dip Only Takes 5 Minutes To Make

Sour cream and onion dip has a glowing reputation when it comes to flavorful and delicious appetizers. With a tangy, creamy base paired with aromatic onion, it can usually be found among party platters and game-day appetizers, and served with veggies, chips, and bread for dipping.

While some people opt to buy the dip pre-made in most grocery stores, making it from scratch is surprisingly easy. And if you need an example to fully convince you to skip the store-bought dip, American chef and cookbook author Alex Guarnaschelli's simple recipe comes together like a breeze.

A few minutes are all you'll need to whip up Guarnaschelli's tasty sour cream and onion dip, which was shared in her collection of quick and easy appetizers. Made with only a few kitchen staples like scallions, onion and garlic powder, mayonnaise, and of course, sour cream, the five-minute dip uses simple ingredients to get an ultra-creamy and savory result compared to store-bought dips. Not to mention, it's a more affordable option instead of shelling out extra money on a pre-made container. Guarnaschelli's version includes a few unique tricks to help elevate the dish, and the final result is a tasty dip that will rival your favorite store-bought version with minimal effort.

The secret to getting the best flavor lies in three simple tips that require very little effort. Using scallions instead of diced onion is not uncommon, but Alex Guarnaschelli takes things a step further by lightly sauteeing them in some olive oil. "That's going to take away that raw onion taste and replace it with delicious scallionness," she shares on her YouTube channel. 

The popular chef also recommends enhancing the flavor by adding a few pantry staples. "What I love, with anything oniony, is a little onion powder ... and to make onions taste better, you need garlic powder," Guarnaschelli says. Both of these ingredients will help deepen the savory, umami flavors that make sour cream and onion dip so enjoyable. Garlic and onion powder aren't the only options that will work here. Try adding ingredients like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and even a drizzle of some good olive oil to really boost the flavor of your dip.

Guarnashelli also has a slightly unconventional way of serving the dip, but no need to fret over complicating things more. She simply hollows out a small loaf of bread, filling the empty space with the creamy dip, and reserving the excess bread for dipping. You can also purchase ready-to-eat bread bowls from places like Trader Joe's to cut down even more prep work. If you're still looking for other ways to help give your dip a little extra flair, try swapping the sour cream for labneh, a mild-flavored, soft cheese that will let the aromatic onion stand out even more. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, the classic party dip will end up even more delicious than its store-bought counterpart.