3 Ingredient Chipotle Onion Dip

Some recipes are complicated labors of love. This 3 Ingredient Chipotle Onion Dip is not one of them, and that is exactly why I love it.

Made with sour cream, onion soup mix, and chipotle peppers in adobo, this easy dip recipe takes about five minutes to make. It is creamy, smoky, slightly spicy, and ridiculously good with a big bowl of potato chips.

If you grew up eating the classic onion dip made with sour cream and a packet of onion soup mix, this recipe is going to feel very familiar. I simply added chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and that one ingredient completely transforms the classic party dip.

This is my favorite kind of shortcut recipe. It starts with something we already know and love, adds one simple twist, and suddenly everyone is standing around the bowl asking what you put in it.

The answer is chipotle peppers.

That’s it. That’s the secret.

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The Onion Dip We All Grew Up Eating, With a Twist

You know the onion dip I am talking about.

Sour cream. A packet of onion soup mix. A bag of potato chips.

It showed up at birthday parties, football games, backyard cookouts, holiday gatherings, and probably more than a few family events where everyone somehow ended up standing in the kitchen.

There is a reason that classic onion dip has been around forever. It is easy, inexpensive, and delicious.

I had no interest in reinventing it completely.

I just thought it could use a little something.

Enter the can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce sitting in my pantry.

Adding just two tablespoons of chopped chipotle peppers gives classic onion dip a smoky flavor and a little warmth without making it overwhelmingly spicy. It still tastes like the creamy onion dip everyone loves, but with enough of a twist to make it interesting.

My easy Chipotle Onion Dip is one of those recipes that tastes like you put more thought into it than you actually did.

Those are always good recipes to have around.

Why You'll Love This 3 Ingredient Chipotle Onion Dip

First, there are only three ingredients.

That alone makes this 3 ingredient dip recipe worth keeping in your back pocket.

There is no chopping other than a couple of chipotle peppers. There is no cooking. There are no complicated steps or specialty tools.

You put everything in a bowl and stir.

Dinner party crisis averted.

The dip is also easy to make ahead of time. In fact, I think it tastes even better after it has been refrigerated for about 30 minutes. The onion soup mix has time to hydrate, and the smoky chipotle flavor works its way through the sour cream.

This recipe is perfect for game days, cookouts, pool parties, holiday gatherings, or last-minute entertaining. It also makes a great addition to a snack board with chips, crackers, pretzels, and fresh vegetables.

The Three Ingredients You Need

The ingredient list could not be easier.

You will need sour cream, one package of onion soup mix, and chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

That's it.

For the sour cream, I use one 8-ounce container. Full-fat sour cream will give you the richest and creamiest texture.

One packet of onion soup mix provides all the savory onion flavor and seasoning you need. There is no need to add extra salt or spices before tasting the finished dip.

Finally, two tablespoons of chopped chipotle peppers in adobo give the dip its signature smoky flavor.

Chipotle peppers in adobo are smoked and dried jalapeño peppers packed in a seasoned tomato-based sauce. They add so much depth to simple recipes, which is exactly why they work so well here.

How to Make Chipotle Onion Dip

This may be the shortest recipe explanation on Savor & Shine.

Add the sour cream to a medium bowl. Stir in the onion soup mix and two tablespoons of finely chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Mix everything together until the ingredients are completely combined.

That's the recipe.

You can serve the dip immediately if everyone is already standing around waiting with chips in hand. If you have time, cover the bowl and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before serving.

That little bit of resting time allows the flavors to blend and gives the dried onions in the soup mix time to soften.

Give the dip another good stir before serving, then grab the chips.

Is Chipotle Onion Dip Spicy?

This Chipotle Onion Dip has a mild warmth, but I would not consider it especially hot.

Chipotle peppers bring more than heat to a recipe. Because they are smoked, they add a deep, smoky flavor that makes this dip taste much more interesting than traditional onion dip.

If you are sensitive to spicy foods or serving this to a crowd with different preferences, there is an easy way to make a milder version.

Instead of adding two tablespoons of chopped chipotle peppers, use two tablespoons of the adobo sauce from the can.

You will still get that smoky flavor with even less heat.

You can also start with one tablespoon, taste the dip, and add more if you want it. Dip is not a place for unnecessary stress. Adjust it until you like it.

Make This Easy Party Dip Ahead of Time

One reason I love this easy party dip is that it can be made ahead of time.

Prepare the dip as directed, cover the bowl tightly, and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance.

Before serving, give it a good stir and transfer it to your serving bowl.

This makes it especially convenient when you are entertaining. I am always looking for recipes I can finish before people arrive because nobody needs to be chopping twelve things while the doorbell is ringing.

Three ingredients. Five minutes. Into the refrigerator.

My kind of party prep.

What to Serve with Chipotle Onion Dip

My first choice will always be a good, sturdy potato chip.

The creamy dip, smoky chipotle flavor, and salty crunch are hard to beat.

Tortilla chips are another great option, especially if you add a little extra chipotle and want to lean into the smoky flavor. Crackers, pretzel crisps, and pita chips also work well.

For a lighter option, serve the dip with fresh vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber slices, mini sweet peppers, and snap peas are all good choices.

If you are putting together a party spread, set the dip in the middle of a large platter and surround it with a mix of chips, crackers, and vegetables.

It looks impressive.

Nobody needs to know it took five minutes.

For another ridiculously easy party favorite, my 30 Second Salsa belongs on the snack table, too.

What Can I Do With the Leftover Chipotle Peppers?

Unless you buy a very tiny can, you will have chipotle peppers and adobo sauce left over after making this recipe.

Do not throw them away.

Transfer the remaining peppers and sauce to a small airtight container and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to use them in another recipe.

You can also freeze them in small portions. Divide the peppers and sauce into tablespoon-size amounts so you can easily grab exactly what you need later.

Chipotle peppers in adobo are delicious added to marinades, taco meat, shredded chicken, soups, chili, sauces, and creamy dressings.

Clearly, I need to get to work on another recipe so we can put the rest of that can to good use.

Challenge accepted.

How to Store Leftover Dip

Store leftover Chipotle Onion Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Give it a good stir before serving again.

I do not recommend freezing sour cream-based dips. The texture can become grainy or separated after thawing.

Fortunately, an 8-ounce container of sour cream makes a manageable batch for four people. Between a bag of chips and a few people standing around the kitchen counter, leftovers may not be much of a problem.

The Easiest Upgrade to Classic Onion Dip

I will always have a soft spot for recipes like this one.

There is nothing fancy about sour cream and onion soup mix. Most of us have been eating some version of that dip for years.

Adding chipotle peppers in adobo does not make the recipe complicated. It simply gives the classic dip a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that makes people want to know what you did differently.

My 3 Ingredient Chipotle Onion Dip is quick, easy, inexpensive, and perfect for sharing. It takes five minutes to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and works for everything from game day to a backyard cookout.

Grab the sour cream, onion soup mix, and that little can of chipotle peppers.

Then buy an extra bag of chips.

You are going to need it.