How To Make Caramelized Onions
Learn how to make the best caramelized onions at home with this fail-proof technique that yields perfectly sweet results every time.
Equipment
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Water as needed
Instructions
- First, heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced onions to the pan and stir to coat them in the oil and butter.
- Cook the onions for 45 to 60 minutes stirring occasionally. Every 5 to 10 minutes should do the trick. The onions will slowly turn a rich brown color. You can taste them throughout the cooking process to determine how caramelized you like them. Once the onions are close to the color you want, sprinkle them with salt. This will help to bring out the flavors further.
If you find the onions are drying out, then you can add about a quarter cup of water to the pan to help rehydrate them. If they aren't fully caramelized yet, turn the heat down slightly.
Notes
Types of onions: You can caramelize any type of onion, but yellow onions are the most common since they provide the best balance of sweet and savory. If you want a more tangy version, use red onion.
Caramelizing onions faster over medium-low heat: Cooking the onions at medium-low will caramelize them faster, however it increases the risk of burning. If at any point you notice the onions are browning too much around the edges (instead of evenly browning), add some water to the pan and keep an eye on them, lowering the heat if they dry out or brown too quickly.
Note on cookware and stove type: Different types of cookware and different types of stoves (i.e. gas versus electric) can yield vastly different results. Don’t worry too much about the exact cooking times or measurements listed in the recipe. Instead, use sensory cues like how the onions look, smell, and sound to understand when it’s time to add more water, or if you need to adjust the heat. For more guidance on this concept, check out our post on intuitive cooking here.
Storing caramelized onions: You can prepare these onions ahead of time for many recipes and store them in the fridge. Let them cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container, and they'll stay good for up to 5 days.
Serving suggestions: Caramelized onions are a great addition to pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and even soups! Try our restaurant style pretzel pub burger, braised short rib grilled cheese, or a pizza topped with goat cheese and caramelized onions if you don't know where to start.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 2422mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 353IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 0.3mg
