How to Make Caramelized Onions

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Caramelizing onions is a simple trick that great cooks use to add tons of flavor to a dish. Start by slicing onions thinly and cook them for a long time over low heat with a little butter. The onions will break down and become sweeter the longer they cook, so take your time with making them. Then stir them into your favorite dip, pasta, or soup.

Ingredients

  • 2 large yellow onions [about 1 pound (450 g)], peeled
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) of unsalted butter
  • Kosher salt to taste

Makes about 1/2 cup (97 g)

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Caramelizing Onions on the Stove

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  1. Cut 2 onions into thin slices. Place 2 peeled onions on a cutting board and cut each in half through the root end. Trim 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) off of the stem ends. Then lay the flat sides of the onions against the board and use a sharp knife to carefully cut the onion into 1 ⁄ 4 to 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.64 to 0.32 cm) thick slices. Take care not to cut through the root end so the onion stays together as you cut. Once you've finished slicing across the onion, trim off the root end. [1]
    • Use your favorite type of onion. For example, caramelize red, Spanish, or Vidalia onions.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    Put a deep skillet on the stove and put 2 tablespoons (28 g) of unsalted butter into it. Turn the burner to medium and leave the butter to melt. Let it continue to cook until it begins to sizzle a little. [2]
    • It's important to use a skillet with deep sides so the onions don't spatter or flip out of the pan when you stir.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    Put 1 handful of the sliced onions into the skillet and let them soften for about 1 minute. Continue to add the onions in handfuls, letting them soften a little so it's easier to stir them in the skillet. Once you've added all of the sliced onions, stir in a pinch of kosher salt. [3]
    • If you dump all of the sliced onions into the skillet at once, it will be difficult to stir and the onions on the bottom will cook faster than the ones on top.
    • If you're only caramelizing 1 onion, you can probably put all of the slices into the skillet at once.

    Did You Know? Although you can roast the prepared onions on a baking sheet, you'll still need to stir them frequently. They're also more likely to dry out and burn around the edges.

  4. Turn the burner down to medium-low and stir the onions every 2 to 3 minutes for at least 15 minutes. The onions should turn a light brown color and you can turn off the burner if you'd like to leave the onions lightly caramelized. [4]
    • Use lightly caramelized onions for classic French onion soup or continue cooking them for softer, richer onions.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    To make softer, sweeter caramelized onions, continue to stir the onions frequently and cook them until they're a rich, golden brown. This will take between 15 and 30 more minutes for a total cooking time of 30 to 50 minutes. [5]
    • If the onions start to stick to the skillet, stir in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water or vegetable stock to loosen them.
  6. Stir some of the hot, caramelized onions into scrambled eggs or pasta, such as carbonara. If you want to make a caramelized onion dip or spread, let them cool before blending them with sour cream and spices. [6]
    • To store leftover caramelized onions, put them into an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Trying Variations

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    Taste the onions after they're almost done caramelizing and decide if you want a slightly sweeter flavor. If you do, stir in 1 tablespoon (12 g) of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of balsamic vinegar. Then finish cooking the onions until they're soft and caramelized. [7]
    • If you don't have brown sugar, substitute granulated sugar and add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of molasses.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    If you'll be serving the caramelized onions with sausages or a roast, consider adding 1 cup (240 ml) of beer or cider to the onions after they've cooked for about 10 minutes. Bring the liquid to a boil and then turn the burner down so the onions simmer in it for about 20 more minutes. [8]
    • The beer or cider should evaporate once the onions finish caramelizing.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    If you don't have the time to slowly caramelize onions, add a pinch of baking soda to the sliced onions when you add them to the skillet. The baking soda will raise the pH of the onions so they turn brown faster. [9]
    • Plan on using about 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) of baking soda for every 1 pound (450 g) of onion.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Caramelized Onions
    Get out 1 sprig of fresh thyme for each onion you're caramelizing. Pull off the leaves and add them to the skillet when you put the onions in. Stir to incorporate the herbs and finish caramelizing the onions. [10]
    • Use your favorite herbs for a different flavor. For example, chop fresh rosemary or sage leaves.
  5. Fill your slow cooker at least 1/2 full with sliced onions and add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil or butter for every 1 pound (450 g) of onions. Put the lid on the cooker and turn it to low. Slow-cook the onions for 10 hours so the onions brown and soften. [11]
    • If you remember, you can stir the onions occasionally to help them cook evenly, but it's fine if you simply leave them to cook without stirring.

    Tip: If you'd like thicker, richer caramelized onions, prop the lid of the slow cooker open and cook the onions for 3 to 5 more hours.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What's the fastest way to caramelize onions?
    Helen Rennie
    Chef
    Helen Rennie is a chef based in Natick, Massachusetts. She is both the owner of a cooking school and the creator of Helen’s Kitchen, a YouTube channel where she teaches cooking techniques and food science to over 560K subscribers. Helen’s classes and videos focus on many topics, including knife skills, fish, meat, poultry, sauces, vegetables, beans, grains, pies, tarts, pastry, pizza, pasta, grilling, and more. She started her cooking career with an internship in Casablanca Restaurant, and eventually earned a teaching position at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. In 2005, she founded Helen's Kitchen, her culinary education business where she teaches people to cook. Since its founding, Helen’s Kitchen has taught 1,000+ students. Helen's cooking philosophy centers on finding creative ways to prepare local ingredients. She teaches cooking classes in her house in Natick with a strong focus on culinary techniques and food science. She received a BS in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University.
    Helen Rennie
    Chef
    Expert Answer
    The fastest way to caramelize onions is by using the steam-and-brown method. Start with a nonstick skillet—this works best to keep things from sticking too much. Toss in your sliced onions, a little salt, and about half the oil you’d normally use. Then add a splash of water, cover your pan, and let the onions steam for about 10 minutes, and when the water evaporates, the onions soften up. Once they’re nice and limp, uncover the pan and start browning them. This step goes fast, so keep an eye on things and stir every minute to prevent burning. The steaming process helps bring the onions’ natural sugars to the surface, which speeds up caramelization. You still get that deep golden-brown color much quicker than the traditional method, but this can get a bit sticky—so the nonstick pan is your friend here!
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  • Question
    What type of brown sugar do I use?
    Community Answer
    Dark brown sugar would be best, but you can use any kind of brown sugar.
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    Can I use coconut oil in a crock pot?
    Community Answer
    Yes, coconut oil can be used in a crock pot.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Knife and cutting board
      • Deep skillet
      • Spoon

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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Helen Rennie .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_caramelize_onions/
      2. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramelized-onions
      3. ↑ https://thecookful.com/how-to-caramelize-vidalia-onions/
      4. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_caramelize_onions/
      5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramelized-onions
      6. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/caramelized-onions
      7. ↑ https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-caramelized-onions/
      8. ↑ https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/canada-day-recipe-beer-caramelized-onion-bacon-pizza/
      9. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/quick-caramelized-onions-recipe.html
      1. ↑ https://www.foodiecrush.com/how-to-make-caramelized-onions/
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-caramelize-onions-in-the-slow-cooker-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-193413

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make caramelized onions, start by removing the onion's skin and cutting the onions into thin slivers. For every 2 and a half pounds of onions add 3 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet. Heat the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the onions to the skillet and season them with salt and pepper. Saute the onions for 5 minutes. Next, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and cook the onions for an additional 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. You'll know they're done when the onions are soft and brown. Serve immediately and enjoy! To learn about variations you can try, read on!

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      • Pat Hoffmann

        Oct 24, 2016

        "Great. Had read somewhere caramelized onions make a great side dish with all kinds of things, so thought Id find ..." more
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