Food & Drink
The Best Way To Caramelize Onions: Add A Touch of Sweetness To Your Food
Caramelized onions are the perfect garnish for all your meals. Transform onions into a deliciously sweet food topper and gain a cooking skill that will help you become a better chef.
December 13, 2021
Caramelized onions are the recipe topper we all need more of in our lives. Wonderfully versatile, these sweet, tangy onions work as a garnish on everything from pizza to hot dogs.
Caramelization is a science, not to mention a (worthwhile) labor of love. Caramelization results from the breakdown of sugar. While this process may sound complex, it isn’t difficult to pull off. Chefs apply this cooking trick to various foods, from onions to roast vegetables to fruity desserts. As the water in vegetables or fruit gets evaporated and sugars like sucrose and glucose are broken down, the food turns caramelly and nutty.
If you’ve had enough science class for the day and are ready to put your skillet to the test, read on for how to make easy caramelized onions.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
4 medium or 3 large onions, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
Preparation instructions
Heat the oil in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat. You’ll need to use a large skillet so that the onions can spread out in the pan in one or two thin layers. Add the sliced onions and sugar (optional) and sauté for five minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent.
Add the salt, reduce to medium-low heat, and cook slowly for roughly one hour, stirring every few minutes to prevent burning. The onions will turn golden brown and become very soft. They will also greatly reduce in size.
Recipe adapted from Love and Lemons.
Nutritional values per serving
Calories: 52
Total Fat: 3.6 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 119 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 5.1 grams
Fiber: 1.2 grams
Sugar: 2.3 grams
Protein: 0.6 grams
Nutrition value estimates for the recipe above made with olive oil and without the optional brown sugar.
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Caramelizing Tips:
1. Give it some sugar
Help the caramelization process along by adding a hint of sugar. But don’t overdo it; the natural sugar of the onions is enough to create a sweet flavor.
2. Practice patience
Caramelized onions take time and turning up the heat won’t help them cook faster. It could burn them. This is a “low and slow” recipe, so don’t rush it. You’ll be glad you didn’t.
3. Use broth
Some recipes recommend using chicken or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan. “Deglaze” is a cooking term meaning using a bit of liquid (usually broth or wine) to help you scrape browned bits of food from the bottom of the pan. This keeps the pan clean and the food — in this case, the onions — from burning instead of caramelizing.
How to use caramelized onions
Pizza
Layer fresh pizza dough or flatbread with marinara sauce, ricotta or mozzarella cheese, and roasted vegetables. Top with a layer of caramelized onions before baking. Garnish the cooked pizza with fresh greens like arugula and admire your gourmet creation.
Sandwiches
Heat some butter in a skillet and toast two slices of bread. Layer one of the toasted sides with flavorful cheeses like Swiss or cheddar. Smear the other side with dijon mustard and mayonnaise before layering it with caramelized onions and deli meats like ham, turkey, or pepperoni. Press the two sides together and toast on each side, letting the cheese melt before enjoying this delicious pressed sandwich.
French onion soup
While the broth of this soup might be delicious, it’s the thick slab of creamy cheese, the crusty bread, and the sweet layer of caramelized onions that make it exceptional.
Baked brie
Serve baked brie with a side of caramelized onion and warm cranberry sauce. Serve with warm french bread as a party appetizer or a light weeknight meal.
Grilled fish or meat
Grill or sauté a filet of salmon or chicken breast. Garnish with a layer of caramelized onions and serve with a side of steamed or roasted veggies and rice for a completely gluten-free meal.
Hotdogs & hamburgers
After grilling a hotdog or hamburger and nestling it in a toasted bun, top with your favorite cheese or condiments and caramelized onion. Add some avocado slices for extra creaminess.
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FAQs
What are the best onions to caramelize?
Red and yellow onions work especially well because of their sweet, complex flavor. Red onions also add a colorful visual aspect to a dish. That said, any kind of onions will work, including white onions and other alliums like shallots.
How long to caramelize onions?
Properly caramelizing onions takes roughly onehour, and it’s best not to try to speed things along. Higher heats lead to burning. You need to give the onions time to release the natural sugars and this process can’t be forced. For optimal results, use a low heat and leave yourself enough time to let them simmer. You can take advantage of this time by preparing the main dish you’ll be serving with the sweet onions.
What’s the best way to caramelize onions?
If you follow this caramelized onion recipe, you’ll end up with a perfectly soft, nutty finish.
How long can I store caramelized onions?
You can store caramelized onions in an airtight container for roughly 5 days.
If you’re grilling a hamburger and want to top it off with some caramelized onions, order the perfect Vidalias from Gopuff. While you’re at it, get some extra mustard and mayonnaise, and have it all at your door in a matter of minutes.
