Your Onion Dip Will Taste Ridiculously Good With One Simple Swap

Who hasn't enjoyed a dollop or two (or three) of onion dip at a party (or on the couch)? The creamy, savory, and easy-to-make dip is loved by pretty much anyone who has had the pleasure of tasting it. The recipe is simple, traditionally consisting of sour cream and dry French onion soup mix. Over the years, however, many home cooks have taken it upon themselves to replace the powdered mix with home prepared ingredients and spices. Still, the sour cream base has remained unchanged. But might it be time to experiment with the steadfast base of sour cream? Yes, absolutely, and labneh might just be the perfect swap.

Labneh is a dip made from yogurt that has been strained in order to achieve a thicker consistency. Labneh is considered a soft cheese, and is similar to crème fraîche and cream cheese in consistency. It is easy to spread and has a tangy flavor that makes a fantastic base for many dishes. The cheese pairs well with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean staples such as olives, high quality olive oil (there are a few pointers you'll want to keep in mind while shopping for olive oil), or blended with Za'atar. Another excellent use for labneh might just be as a base for the well-trodden onion dip. Though similar in texture to sour cream, labneh is less sour than sour cream, but it maintains a tart taste that can serve as an accent for the hearty flavors of onion and garlic. It might just be the perfect change of pace for this downright vintage dish.

Ok, so what's the deal with labneh, and what makes it the perfect base for onion dip? For starters, labneh is a delicious dip all on its own. But its tangy yet mild flavor helps other, bolder tastes to shine. Paired with olive tapenade, the cheese brings a bright creaminess that can temper the salty dip. It can also bring richness to other, lighter ingredients, such as lemon and dill. Essentially, labneh is the choose-your-own-adventure of soft cheeses. For this reason, it makes a great swap out for sour cream. 

But where can you find Labneh? The dip can be found in many grocery stores, sometimes under the name labne, labna, or various alternative spellings. However, if you can't find a tub of the dip in your local grocery store, you can always make it at home. All you'll need is whole milk yogurt, a strainer, a cheesecloth, a bit of salt, and a bowl. Place your yogurt and salt into a cheesecloth lined strainer, over a bowl, and let it drain for about a day. And voila! You've got thick and creamy labneh, perfect for incorporating into an infinitum of dishes, or enjoying on its own.

So you've pepped up your onion dip with a refreshing base of onion dip and now the rest of its ingredients look, well, a bit stodgy. If this is the case, you can always make a few more alterations to your onion dip so that it lives up to its tangy new potential. And there are a few routes to take if this is the case. If you're hoping to brighten up the dish, and lean into labneh's Mediterranean roots, you can add feta, peppers, olives, and red onions, making it into a creamy dip version of a classic Greek salad. You might also consider topping your onion dip with roasted tomatoes, or roasted garlic, which can give it more substance.

You can also take your dip in a fresher direction by adding in green onions instead of the traditional onion soup mix. Chopped green onions, combined with other ingredients such as lemon zest and dill, can turn your dip into a refreshing and summer-ready dip that might just have you rethinking the creamy classic. Then again, you can also mix sweet with savory by adding a caramelized onion and fig spread to the top your dip, this with a lepnah base that incorporates blue cheese can make for an onion dip that is sure to impress even the most discerning of party guests. Really, the possibilities of this dish are endless. You need only take a dip into your imagination.