Simple Caramelized Onions

These gorgeous caramelized onions will make your whole kitchen smell amazing and turn any simple meal into something special! Anyone who loves rich, sweet flavors will absolutely fall in love with these silky golden strands. The best part is they’re incredibly healthy and can jazz up everything from burgers to mac and cheese.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 15 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour, Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 70 Calories, 2g Fat, 2g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

White onions: You’ll need 2 medium onions that weigh about 1 1/3 pounds total. White onions work best because they get super sweet when caramelized, but yellow onions are great too!

Olive oil: Just 1 teaspoon is all you need to get these beauties started. The oil helps prevent sticking and adds a lovely flavor.

Kosher salt: A tiny 1/8 teaspoon brings out all the natural sweetness in the onions. Don’t skip this little bit!

Black pepper: Another 1/8 teaspoon adds just the right amount of warmth and depth.

Chicken stock or water: Keep 1/4 cup handy in case your onions start to stick. This little trick saves the day every time!

How to Make Simple Caramelized Onions

Step 1: Slice your onions in half from top to bottom first. Then cut each half into thin vertical slices – think of making half-moon shapes. Try to keep them about the same thickness so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Heat your olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add all the onions at once – don’t worry, they’ll shrink down a lot! Stir them gently until they start getting soft and translucent.

Step 3: Sprinkle on your salt and pepper, then turn the heat down to medium-low. This slower cooking is where the magic happens! Stir every few minutes to keep them from burning.

Step 4: Keep cooking and stirring for about an hour total. If they start sticking to the pan, splash in a little stock or water and keep stirring. You’ll know they’re done when they’re a beautiful deep golden brown color.

Easy and Quick Caramelized Onions Version

Want faster results? You can bump up the heat to medium and cook for about 30-40 minutes instead! Just stir more often and watch them carefully so they don’t burn. Add a tablespoon of brown sugar to speed up the caramelizing process – your onions will still taste amazing!

Serving Ideas

These caramelized onions are perfect on top of grilled burgers or mixed into scrambled eggs. Try them over baked chicken or stirred into mashed potatoes for something extra special. They’re also incredible on pizza or mixed into a simple pasta dish with some fresh herbs.

Storage

Store your caramelized onions in the fridge for up to 5 days in a covered container. To reheat, just warm them in a pan over low heat for 2-3 minutes. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

Substitutions

No white onions? Yellow onions work just as well and taste almost identical. You can swap the olive oil for butter if you want richer flavor. Instead of chicken stock, vegetable broth or even white wine adds a nice touch. Red onions work too, but they’ll have a slightly sharper taste.

Pro Tips

• Don’t rush the process: Low and slow is the secret to perfectly sweet onions without any burnt bits.
• Use a wide pan: This helps the moisture evaporate faster and prevents steaming.
• Make extra: Double the recipe since they keep so well and you’ll want them on everything!
• Stir regularly: Every 5 minutes or so keeps them cooking evenly and prevents sticking.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

You bet! These onions actually taste even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to meld together. Make a big batch on Sunday and use them all week long.

Why do my onions keep burning?

Your heat is probably too high! Turn it down to medium-low and be patient. Also, make sure to stir them regularly and add a splash of liquid if they start sticking.

Can I use a slow cooker for this?

Sure! Cook them on low for 6-8 hours with the lid slightly cracked open. You won’t need any oil, and they’ll turn out beautifully soft and sweet.

How do I know when they’re done?

They should be a deep golden brown color and taste really sweet with no sharp onion bite left. If they’re still pale or taste sharp, keep cooking a bit longer.

Final Thoughts

I’d love to hear how your caramelized onions turned out! Drop a comment below and let me know what you served them with. Once you try these, you’ll understand why I always keep a batch in my fridge – they make everything taste so much better!