A simple, step-by-step guide to making the perfect batch of soft, aromatic, and flavourful Caramelized Onions. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this gourmet treat!
If there is one recipe that truly seems like culinary magic, it would be turning simple raw onions into the sweet gourmet delicacy that is Caramelized Onions. Onions become so irresistible when slow-cooked. The texture is soft and jammy, the flavour is rich with umami and sweet depths, and the smell is fragrant. Caramelized Onions add a unique complexity to many savoury foods and especially compliment many dishes such as burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, meats, Greek fava, cheese and crackers… or simply enjoy by the spoonful.
There are no shortcuts to making a batch of true Caramelized Onions. Whilst the process is very easy, it is still time-consuming. “Low and Slow” is the motto associated with the recipe, which means cooking the onions at a low temperature for a long amount of time.
This is important for two scientific reasons. First, it naturally caramelizes the sugars inside the raw onions, turning them from spicy to sweet. Second, you get the Maillard reaction, which is where heating amino acids and sugars in food creates new molecules, resulting in more aromatic and savoury smells and flavours. The combination of these two processes gives Caramelized Onions their simple but sophisticated taste. Impress yourself by adding this easy recipe to your repertoire.
ARE THERE ANY SHORTCUTS TO MAKING THEM FASTER?
The only way to shorten cooking time is by reducing the amount of onions prepared and by slicing the onions thinner. I don’t recommend either of these. A courser-cut onion slice will retain more texture once it shrinks down, and these onions shrink down a lot while they cook. Also, making a smaller portion isn’t a really good idea because, for the sake of saving a few minutes, you’ll be left with way less Caramelized Onions. They reduce an extraordinary amount so it is better to cook a large batch and have leftovers (they’re so tasty you probably won’t though) rather than making a smaller batch and realizing that you don’t have enough.
There are some recipes online stating that they can be made in 30 minutes, but this isn’t necessarily true. Those recipes are for Sauteed Onions, which don’t have the same rich flavours as Caramelized Onions. When you have the real deal, you won’t be able to settle for Sauteed onions. Also, authentic Caramelized Onions don’t rely on vinegar or large amounts of sugar to flavour them; these are optional but not necessary. Caramelizing is a long process that requires attention but minimal effort, and the end result makes the time commitment totally worth it.
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INGREDIENTS FOR CARAMELIZED ONIONS
*Makes 1 cup of cooked Caramelized Onions*
- 5-6 onions, red, yellow, or white, peeled and coursely sliced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil OR 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with 1 tbsp butter (or vegan butter)
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp water
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO MAKE CARAMELIZED ONIONS
- Heat a large heavy pot or large cast-iron skillet to medium heat. When hot, add extra virgin olive oil or extra virgin olive oil and butter combination to the pot.
- Add the onions, sea salt, and sugar to the pot, stirring frequently for 5 minutes to soften.
- Reduce heat to low setting, add 1 tbsp of water, and continue stirring frequently until the pot comes down in temperature.
- Now comes the magic! Please be patient. Caramelized Onions turn to gold by cooking low and slow, meaning on low temperatures slowly over time so the caramelization process can happen. You only have to stir the onions once every approx 15 minutes now. The full cooking time will be approx 1½ hours. In the last half of the cooking process, they need to be mixed approximately every 5-10 minutes and watched closely to ensure they don’t burn or turn crispy. After approximately 1 hour, add 1 tbsp of water to the mixture to add more moisture.
- Turn off the heat when they have reduced in size significantly and have turned a deep brown colour. Five to six large onions turn into 1 cup of Caramelized Onions.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a topping on your favourite foods, or simply enjoy this delicacy by the spoonful. Smile and Enjoy!
ARE CARAMELIZED ONIONS HEALTHY?
GOOD NEWS! Yes, Caramelized Onions are a very healthy treat!
Onions are part of the Allium family of vegetables, which include garlic, leeks, chives, and scallions. Allium vegetables are high in many important components, such as vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Onions, in particular, are also high in prebiotics, antioxidants, and flavonoids, which are linked to numerous health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, preventing chronic disease, strengthening the immune system, and aiding in digestion. Some studies have shown that regularly including onions in your diet may reduce the risk of some cancers and may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Whilst caramelizing onions makes them taste sweet as candy, the caramelization process does not significantly reduce the nutritional compounds of onions. This recipe also includes a minimal amount of salt and fats, so overall, you can feel guilt-free while indulging in this delectable treat.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
I can personally eat a pan of Caramelized Onions by the spoonful. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s vegetables, right?! If you want to add them to a dish, they go fantastically well as a topping for many different foods. Caramelized Onions are great as:
- a burger topping
- on a sandwich
- a pizza topping
- on Greek fava or hummous
- with a cheese platter or charcuterie board
- on grilled steak or pork chops
- a topping on baked potatoes
- with French onion soup
- in a tart
ALLERGY INFORMATION FOR CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Our Caramelized Onions recipe is:
- Dairy-free (if using extra virgin olive oil only or vegan butter)
- Egg-free
- Nut-free
- Peanut-free
- Wheat-free
- Soy-free
- Sesame-free
- Fish-free
- Crustacean-free
- Celery-free
- Mustard-free
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Store leftover Caramelized Onions in an air-tight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also store it in an airtight, freezer-proof container for up to 3 months.
TRY THESE DELICIOUS RECIPES NEXT!
CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON TIKTOK
CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
If you loved this recipe – please let us know what you think in the comments… and please share!!
HOW TO MAKE CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Equipment
- Large heavy pot or large cast-iron skillet
Materials
- 5-6 large onions – red, yellow, or white peeled, coarsely sliced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil OR 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp butter or vegan butter
- 1/2 tsp sugar OPTIONAL
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy pot or large cast-iron skillet to medium heat. When hot, add extra virgin olive oil or extra virgin olive oil/butter combination.
- Add the onions, sea salt, and sugar (optional) to the pot, stirring frequently for 5 minutes to soften.
- Reduce heat to low setting, add 1 tbsp water, and continue stirring frequently until the pot comes down in temperature.
- Now comes the magic! Please be patient. Caramelized Onions turn to gold by cooking low and slow, meaning on low temperatures slowly over time so the caramelization process can happen. You only have to stir the onions once every approx 15 minutes now. The full cooking time will be about 1½ hours. In the last half of the cooking process, they need to be mixed approximately every 5-10 minutes and watched closely to ensure they don’t burn or turn crispy. After approximately 1 hour, add an additional 1 tbsp of water to the mixture to add more moisture.
- Turn off the heat when they have reduced in size significantly and have turned a deep brown colour. Five to six large onions turn into 1 cup of Caramelized Onions.
- Serve warm or at room temperature as a topping on your favourite foods, or simply enjoy this delicacy by the spoonful. Smile and Enjoy!
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