Warm Bacon Gruyere Dip with Caramelized Onion and Chive for #InternationalBaconDay

Did you know there’s an International Bacon Day? Well, now you do, and your life will be richer for it.

We drooled over saw this dip on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Later that week, I casually googled “bacon dip onion jam” and it turns out that that exact recipe is online! I made it, devoured it, and then riffed the heck out of it.

The original recipe is from a Minnesota pub called George & the Dragon. It is truly fabulous, but it is also truly an indulgence. I made it a little less coma-inducing by turning it into more of a dip: added milk and swapped out full-fat cream cheese and mayo for light cream cheese and sour cream. I know, it doesn’t sound like me, but trust me when I say that this is still delicious–maybe more so for being easier to eat.

Warm Bacon Gruyere Dip with Caramelized Onion and Chives

I also switched out the cheese. The original calls for Parmesan (which is what’s in the photos); I went for Gruyere, which is gorgeously melty. The one drawback is that it’s a little greasier; I used a paper towel to dab a little excess fat from the top after it baked. If you prefer to avoid that, use a dry cheese like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano instead. You could also swap in white cheddar for a very classic flavor combo.

One key element is the onions. The original recipe calls it onion jam, but I didn’t cook mine quiiiiiite into jam–more like very, very caramelized. They’ll last at least a week in the fridge, so you can prep them well ahead of time.

In the latest iteration (not photographed; we ate it too quickly) I used turkey bacon and served as an appetizer. There were seven of us, and it was inhaled in short order–just enough to be delicious, but not so much we couldn’t eat dinner. If you’re doing this for a big party, I recommend doubling.

We ate this with a variety of things: carrots and celery, crackers, wavy potato chips, lightly toasted crostini. The veggies definitely made the lightest accompaniment, but most of us preferred it on the crispy items. With chips it’s a classic game day snack; with gently toasted crostini, it’s an appetizer for a nice dinner.

This recipe is part of a roundup for International Bacon Day. Scroll down to see a dozen other amazing bacon recipes!

Adapted from George & the Dragon; recipe provided by Food Network.

Warm Bacon Chive Spread with Onion Jam

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Warm Bacon Gruyere Dip with Caramelized Onion and Chive is great for football season, parties, or #InternationalBaconDay!

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 appetizer servings 1x

Ingredients

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Caramelized Onions

• Vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water

Bacon Onion Dip

• 8 ounces low fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup low fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 shredded Gruyere cheese + extra for topping
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup caramelized onions
• 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Chopped chives

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Instructions

Caramelized Onions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium, then add onions and salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring often.
2. Add vinegar, sugar, and water and reduce heat slightly. Cover and cook, stirring often, until the liquid is absorbed and the onions are brown and have started to break down, about 30 minutes.
3. Set aside to cool.

Bacon Dip

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Beat cream cheese until fluffy.
3. Add sour cream, Gruyere, milk, mustard, cayenne, and Worcestershire, and continue to beat until smooth.
4. Stir in onion jam and bacon.
5. Spoon into a baking dish. Top with reserved Gruyere.
6. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until dip begins to bubble and the cheese browns.
7. Garnish with chives and serve with toast, crackers, or veggies.

Recipes for #InternationalBaconDay!

• • Bacon Corn Pizza from Caroline’s Cooking
  • Bacon Wrapped Asparagus from A Day In The Life On The Farm
  • Barbecue, Bacon, & Cheddar Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from Tip Garden
  • Broccoli Bacon Salad from Feeding Big
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Skillet from Amy’s Cooking Adventure
  • Hot German Potato Salad with Bacon from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
  • Pasta Carbonara Torte from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
  • Roast Beef, Ham and Bacon Club Sandwich from Family Around The Table
  • Surprise Biscuits from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
  • Wilted Lettuce Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing from Palatable Pastime