Meet your new favorite summer side: French Onion Dip Potato Salad! This irresistible mashup takes everything you love about creamy potato salads and elevates it with the tangy, savory notes of classic French onion dip. Each bite is loaded with tender baby potatoes cloaked in a luscious dressing, topped with crispy fried onions for the ultimate flavor bomb. With a prep time that won’t keep you away from the party and flavors that only deepen as it chills, this dish is sure to become your go-to for barbecues, family gatherings, or just a night when you want something truly delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of staples and a few flavorful boosts to create magic. Each ingredient in this French Onion Dip Potato Salad plays a starring role in creating that creamy texture, addictive savoriness, and punchy color.
- Potatoes: 2 pounds baby gold or red potatoes (halved) – their natural creaminess and vibrant color shine through in every bite.
- Salt: 1 tablespoon, for boiling water – don’t skip this; it seasons your potatoes from the inside out for flavor in every morsel.
- Sour cream: 1 cup – for that unmistakably tangy, rich base in the dressing.
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup – adds silky body and a subtle sweetness to round out the dip flavor.
- French onion soup or dip mix: 1 packet (1 oz) – this is the game-changer, infusing intense umami and savory onion goodness.
- Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon – just a touch, but it brightens up the whole salad.
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon – brings a zippy, refreshing finish.
- Green onions: 1/2 cup thinly sliced – these offer freshness, crunch, and a pop of color.
- Chives (optional): 1/4 cup finely chopped – if you want extra herbal lift and delicate onion flavor.
- Crispy fried onions (optional): for topping – these take the salad totally over the top with irresistible crunch.
How to Make French Onion Dip Potato Salad
Step 1: Boil and Prep the Potatoes
Start by placing your halved baby potatoes in a large pot and covering them with cold water. Add 1 tablespoon of salt (trust me, your future self will thank you), then bring everything to a boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat and let the potatoes simmer gently for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until a fork slides in easily. Drain them well and give them a few minutes to cool, so they don’t melt the dressing when you mix it all together.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, French onion dip mix, black pepper, and that zingy apple cider vinegar. This is where the French Onion Dip Potato Salad gets its creamy, tangy, and savory personality, so give it a thorough mix until silky and all the dip mix granules are dissolved.
Step 3: Combine Potatoes and Dressing
Once the potatoes are just warm (not hot!), add them to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss and fold the potatoes so each chunk is glossy and cloaked with that glorious French onion dip creaminess. This is the moment where plain potatoes become pure comfort food.
Step 4: Stir in All the Onions
Now’s the time for your fresh green onions and optional chives. Fold them in for a hit of garden freshness and a fleck of green that makes the salad look as good as it tastes. If you love an extra-oniony kick, don’t hesitate to add a handful of caramelized onions or roasted shallots here!
Step 5: Chill to Let the Flavors Shine
Cover your bowl and pop your French Onion Dip Potato Salad into the fridge for at least 1 hour. This downtime allows all those savory flavors to meld and intensify, making the salad extra luscious. French Onion Dip Potato Salad is even better after an overnight rest, so feel free to make it in advance!
Step 6: Top and Serve
Right before serving, scatter a generous handful of crispy fried onions over the top. These make every bite irresistible, delivering that signature crunch and rich onion flavor. Serve chilled and watch it disappear.
How to Serve French Onion Dip Potato Salad
Garnishes
Garnishes make all the difference! Just before serving, pile on those crispy fried onions for maximum crunch, and shower extra green onions or chives across the top for freshness and color. A sprinkle of paprika or a few cracks of black pepper can also add a lovely finishing touch to your French Onion Dip Potato Salad.
Side Dishes
This salad shines next to all your classic cookout food. Pair it with burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, or veggie kabobs for a complete meal. It’s also a wonderful back-pocket recipe for potlucks or picnics, since its flavor only improves as it sits. And if you want to go next-level, serve alongside cold lemonade or crisp white wine!
Creative Ways to Present
Take your French Onion Dip Potato Salad presentation up a notch by serving it in a vibrant serving bowl lined with lettuce leaves, individual mason jars for picnics, or even as sliders stuffed into soft buns with extra crispy onions. You can also layer it in a trifle dish for a stunning look that showcases all the creamy layers and pops of green.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover French Onion Dip Potato Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days, and honestly, the flavors might be even better on day two as everything has more time to mingle and soak in that creamy dressing.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this creamy salad, as the texture of the potatoes and dressing tends to change (think watery and grainy instead of rich and creamy). If you want to prep ahead, just make it a day in advance and keep it well-chilled.
Reheating
French Onion Dip Potato Salad is meant to be served chilled or at cool room temperature, so no reheating is necessary. If you do prefer it slightly warmed, give it a gentle zap in the microwave, but note that this may soften the crispy onions and affect the texture.
FAQs
Can I use a homemade French onion dip instead of the packet?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade French onion dip recipe, go ahead and use it in place of the soup mix, adjusting for seasoning as needed. Fresh dip adds a unique depth and lets you control the saltiness.
What kind of potatoes work best for this salad?
Baby gold or red potatoes are ideal because of their tender skin and creamy texture, but you can also use Yukon golds or fingerlings. Avoid starchy russets, which can fall apart and become mushy.
Can I make this French Onion Dip Potato Salad dairy-free?
You can! Substitute plant-based sour cream and mayonnaise, and make sure your onion dip mix is dairy-free. The result is still wonderfully creamy and packed with flavor.
How far in advance can I prepare this salad?
This salad actually gets better with time, so you can make it up to 24 hours ahead. Just add the crispy fried onions right before serving to preserve their crunch.
What are some mix-ins I can add for extra flair?
Chopped cooked bacon, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, or even a few chopped pickles will add even more flavor and texture to your French Onion Dip Potato Salad. Feel free to make it your own!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed side that sparks joy with every bite, give French Onion Dip Potato Salad a try! It’s easy, utterly addictive, and destined to become the hit of your next barbecue or potluck. Don’t be surprised when everyone asks for the recipe!
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French Onion Dip Potato Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chilling)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French Onion Dip Potato Salad is a creamy and flavorful twist on traditional potato salad. With the savory goodness of French onion dip mix, it’s a perfect side dish for any BBQ or gathering.
Ingredients
Potato Salad:
- 2 pounds baby gold or red potatoes (halved)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
Dressing:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 packet (1 oz) French onion soup or dip mix
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped chives (optional)
- crispy fried onions (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Boil Potatoes: Place halved potatoes in a pot, cover with water and salt, boil until fork-tender.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, French onion dip mix, pepper, and vinegar.
- Combine: Toss cooked potatoes in dressing, add green onions and chives. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Serve: Top with crispy fried onions before serving.
Notes
- For extra onion flavor, add caramelized onions or roasted shallots.
- This salad tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
