Caramelized Onions Recipe (2024)

Why This Recipe Works

Versatile: Talk about the most versatile culinary creation ever! This caramelized onions recipe will teach out how to caramelize onions the easy way so that you can enjoy them in all of your favorite meals. The possibilities are endless… Turn them into a dip or soup, use them to top off sandwiches and burgers, throw them onto pizza into pasta, or mix them into some savory potatoes and eggs!

Easy to Make: Caramelized onions are actually super simple to make at home! They do take time, but they don’t take that much effort. This best caramelized onions recipe will teach you exactly how to efficiently caramelize onions in under an hour!

Ingredients

• Onions: Onions are the star of the show in this caramelized onions recipe! You can use brown or white onions and slice them into thin slices.
• Butter: Unsalted butter is best here. You need half a stick or four tablespoons.
• Salt: Salt is added to help break down the onions!
• Optional: For an herby addition, add some sprigs of fresh type! If you want sweeter and darker caramelized onions, add a bit of brown sugar or balsamic vinegar. Don’t add both, just choose between those two options! If using balsamic vinegar, make sure it is a thick, high quality vinegar.

Here’s How to Make It

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat: Heat a large, non-stick frying pan, shallow casserole or skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and allow to melt until frothy.
2. Add Onions: Add the onions, salt (and fresh thyme, if using) and once they are sizzling turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until they’re soft, but don’t worry if they don’t have any color yet.
3. Stir & Continue Cooking: Turn the heat up to medium high and cook for a further 15-20 minutes, stirring often until the onions are light golden and soft. If you’re adding the brown sugar OR balsamic vinegar (don’t add both), add them at the start of this stage.

Expert Tips

• Don’t add salted butter! Don’t be tempted to use salted butter and skip the salt. Adding the salt separately is important for breaking down the onions.
• If you choose to add balsamic vinegar to the onions to make them sweeter and deepen their color, choose a good quality, thick balsamic vinegar! A cheap one that is thin like other wine vinegars will make the onions too acidic.
• Use a heavy bottomed skillet for best results! If you have access to a cast iron skillet or other heavy bottomed skillet, the process will go a little quicker since these pans retain heat consistently!

Serving Suggestions

This easy caramelized onions recipe is designed to be super versatile. They can be served in so many different ways! Here are some of my favorite ways to use them:

• Soup! Try making a rich and savory french onion soup.
• Burgers! Use caramelized onions as a topping on all your favorite burgers.
• Chicken! For a full meal, make my french onion chicken!
• Dip! You can make a homemade french onion dip with these easy caramelized onions.
• In Potatoes! French onion potatoes might become your new favorite way to make potatoes! Or make it a casserole-style dish with french onion scalloped potatoes!
• Sandwich! Try putting these onions on sandwiches or in a french onion grilled cheese.

How should I store leftover caramelized onions?

To store any leftover caramelized onions, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months! For convenience, store them in ice cube trays or in separate individual baggies so you can use individual portions at a time without thawing all of the onions!