Its almost like magic. By some mystical alchemy, crisp raw onions, pungently sharp in taste, are transformed into a jammy, sweet, and oh-so-delectable treat. They really hardly taste like onions at all but more like, well, caramel.
How To Caramelize Onions
Are you in love with caramelized onions however afraid of making your own? Theres absolutely nothing mysterious about it and you wont require wonderful skills.
How To Caramelize Onions
Caramelized onions are so excellent you can consume them by the spoonful. Add them to a charcuterie board; they are incredible with cheese and crackers.
Meltingly tender and oh so sweet, caramelized onions are a special treat. Learn how to caramelize onions yourself. Its easy and you only need a few active ingredients.
Why youll love it: The procedure is really basic and given that it makes a quite large batch, you can freeze the extra to use later.
How long it takes: 15 minutes to prep, approx. 1 1/2 hours to cookEquipment youll require: large heavy pan with a lidServings: makes 2 cups
Recipe Overview
About this Recipe
Yet, often you d rather hurry things along a bit. I wish to reveal you how to caramelize onions on the stovetop. Its just as simple and I do believe the results are a bit better than with the sluggish cooker.
If youre familiar with my website, you may remember my dish for sluggish cooker caramelized onions. While I like that technique, it takes an actually, really very long time to cook, as much as 15 hours. Yes, you heard properly, 15 hours! Of course, its all hands-off time so its no big offer.
Simply a note: You will be able to discover dishes that declare to make fast caramelized onions, in simply 15 minutes. Trust me, they will not be the very same. Its sort of the very same procedure but the onions are cooked over a high heat while you stir them continuously, including water as you go so they do not burn. The onions will turn dark and soft but wont be nearly as sweet or tasty.
Ill get you begun on this how-to dish and give you useful pointers. Search for complete instructions, measurements, and nutrition details on the recipe card listed below.
Judge on your own. Attempt both approaches and compare; you truly cant fail in either case. Completion result will be great deals of caramelized onions and thats a fantastic thing. If you d like ideas for how to utilize caramelized onions, keep checking out.
What youll require
Onions: Since the onions cook down significantly, youll need to start with a lot of onions. Look for big onions, about 12 to 14 ounces each, and purchase 6 of them. If the onions are smaller sized in size, buy more of them so that you wind up with approximately the exact same quantity (about 5 pounds).
What Variety Of Onion Is Best for Caramelized Onions?
All kinds of onions can be caramelized and the flavor of the caramelized onions will vary depending on which range you pick. I normally select a sweet onion, like Vidalia, due to the fact that its sweeter when caramelized, too. Yellow, white, or red onions are perfectly appropriate, or perhaps shallots, although you would need a lot of them!
Olive Oil: The oil and butter mix is used to sauté the onions in the initial step of the cooking process.Butter: Choose saltless butter for cooking the onions. If you prefer, avoid the butter and substitute more olive oil, however we love the taste the butter adds.Salt: Use kosher salt, if possible.Balsamic Vinegar, optional: The vinegar improves the flavor of the onions and deepens the color.
Trying to find A Good Pan?
You require an extremely big, heavy pan with a cover to caramelize onions. Mine is similar to this one and I use it frequently.
Purchase on Amazon
How to make Caramelized Onions
Cut the onions vertically, from the stem end to the bloom end. Position each half, cut side down, on your cutting board. Utilizing a sharp knife, slice the onion into half moons, about a quarter inch thick. Dispose of completions.
Now that weve spoken about pans, lets prep the onions. Get rid of the papery outer skin of each onion and wash the onion to get rid of any dirt or dust.
Slicing Onions Without Tears
Do you need sugar to caramelize onions? Thats why you begin with a pan complete of onions and end up with simply two cups of caramelized onions.Some onion varieties are naturally sweeter (Vidalia, Walla Walla, Maui). Do you utilize oil or butter to caramelize onions?
Reveal the pan and turn the heat down to medium low. Cook the onions for a minimum of an hour. It might take even more time, depending on how you like them.
Include a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar near the end of the cooking time if you like. Enhancing the onions with balsamic vinegar includes extra flavor and color to the caramelized onions. Its up to you.
Arent they terrific? Get out a cracker or crostini, spread a little goat cheese on it, and top it with a dollop of your remarkable caramelized onions. Close your eyes and relish the moment!
Utilize an extremely sharp knife. A dull knife crushes the onion, launching more of the tear-causing compound.
Make certain your kitchen is well-ventilated. A fan is helpful.
Cool the onions a half hour prior to slicing them, or freeze them for 15 minutes.
If you have them, use your contact lenses. It actually does help.
When you have those onions sliced, warm up a large heavy pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter; heat till the butter melts.
Include the onions and the salt. Ideally you have a big adequate pan for all of them to fit into! The onions will cook down so do not stress if the pan is really full to start with. Offer it time and youll see.
Stir them occasionally, more regularly toward completion of the cooking time. Make sure they arent staying with the bottom. If they are, lower the heat. You do not want them to dry. If absolutely required, include a tablespoon of water.
Remove the caramelized onions from the heat and transfer to a heat safe bowl to cool. When they are cool enough, make sure to sample them. Youve waited so long!
FAQs
By the end of the cooking time, the onions ought to look deep and soft golden brown. The longer they cook, the softer and darker theyll get. Look for a jam-like consistency.
Does the thought of slicing all those onions make your eyes sting before you even get started? Heres a couple of tips that might assist.
Stir the onions well with a long dealt with spoon so they get covered with the oil mixture. Cover the pan and cook for ten minutes.
Make It Your Own
Omit the butter and increase the olive oil to 4 tablespoons.Looking for onions and peppers? If you enjoy to top fajitas, Italian sausages, or hamburgers with sautéed onion and bell pepper strips, the procedure is somewhat similar although the onions will not be caramelized. Slice one big onion and a couple of bell peppers (any color).
They are best for food prepping due to the fact that caramelized onions keep well. See the ideas below for freezing ideas.
Make-Ahead Ideas
Storage & & Reheating Tips
Youll be thankful to know that caramelized onions save well, both in the refrigerator and the freezer. Cool the onions to space temperature level, put them in a covered container, and refrigerate. Theyll keep for four to 5 days.
You can also put the onions directly into a freezer safe bag. Get rid of excess air from the bag, seal and flatten the bag. Simply break off what you require when you desire to use some. It will thaw quickly.
Caramelized onions also can be frozen for up to 4 months. There are a couple of methods you can do it. Put the onions into an ice cube tray. Freeze till hard, then pop the cubes out and put them into a freezer safe container or bag. When you require it for hamburgers or for steak, take a cube out. Add it to soups or stews as is, or thaw to use as a spread or topping.
How To Use Caramelized Onions
Top beef or turkey burgers with melty cheese, caramelized onions, and a spicy chipotle mayo. So excellent! Try air fryer burgers.Pile a steak or grilled chicken with the onions. Bonus offer points if you add sautéed mushrooms! Marinade the chicken first with balsamic marinade.Add a dollop of onions to homemade hummus or French onion dip.Dress up a charcuterie board with a little meal of caramelized onions. You will not think how good they are with crackers and cheese.Make your own crostini spread out with soft goat cheese, a smear of caramelized onions, and a sprig of thyme.Spread them on your sandwiches. They are especially good on grilled cheese sandwiches. Put a layer into these ham and cheese sliders.Add them to bowls, flatbreads, or pizzas.Like mouthwatering toppings on ice cream? Attempt caramelized onions and littles salty bacon on vanilla bean ice cream.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review listed below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Prep Time: 15 minsCook Time: 1 hr 10 minsTotal Time: 1 hr 25 mins
8 portions
Prepare ModePrevent your screen from going dark
This website supplies approximate nutrition info for convenience and as a courtesy just. Nutrition information is collected mostly from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Nutrition InformationServing: 0.25 cup, Calories: 91kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.1 g, Cholesterol: 8mg, Sodium: 150mg, Potassium: 124mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 89IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 0.2 mg.
InstructionsRemove papery external skin of onions. Cut each onion in half vertically, top to bottom, then slice into 1/4 -inch thick half moons. Include onions and salt, and toss to coat with oil mixture.Cover and cook for 10 minutes.Uncover, minimize heat to medium low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally (youll require to stir more frequently towards the end), until onions are prepared down and a deep golden brown, about 60 to 90 minutes.
Meltingly tender and oh so sweet, caramelized onions are a special treat. Learn how to caramelize onions yourself. Its easy and you just need a few components.
Notes
Omit butter and utilize an extra 2 tablespoons olive oil if chosen.
Makes about 2 cups.
Caramelized onions keep well. Refrigerate in a covered container for 4 to 5 days. Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for approximately 4 months..
Did You Make This?Be sure to publish a photo & & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I enjoy seeing what you made!
All types of onions can be caramelized and the taste of the caramelized onions will vary depending on which variety you pick. Enhancing the onions with balsamic vinegar adds additional flavor and color to the caramelized onions. Thats why you begin with a pan complete of onions and end up with just two cups of caramelized onions.Some onion ranges are naturally sweeter (Vidalia, Walla Walla, Maui). If you enjoy to leading fajitas, Italian sausages, or hamburgers with sautéed onion and bell pepper strips, the process is rather comparable although the onions wont be caramelized. Marinate the chicken first with balsamic marinade.Add a dollop of onions to homemade hummus or French onion dip.Dress up a charcuterie board with a small dish of caramelized onions.
