Zesty Easy Caramelized Onions Recipe

My Easy Caramelized Onions recipe proves that the simplest ingredients often yield the most luxurious results.

You only need a little patience to turn raw onions into golden, meltingly soft ribbons of flavor. I love keeping a batch in the fridge to instantly upgrade sandwiches, burgers, or even a simple bowl of pasta.

The Secret to Perfect Easy Caramelized Onions

This recipe relies on the natural sugars found inside the onion to create that deep, complex flavor without adding any extra sugar. It is a slow process, but the hands-on time is actually quite minimal once you get them going.

You can make a large batch ahead of time and freeze portions to add instant gourmet flair to weeknight meals. This method works perfectly whether you use yellow, white, or sweet onions from your pantry.

The texture becomes incredibly soft and jammy, making it the perfect condiment for spreading or topping. Once you taste homemade Easy Caramelized Onions, you will never want to skip this step for your steak or burger nights again.

If you love rich, savory toppings, you simply must try pairing these with my Savory Halloumi Fries Recipe for an incredible appetizer spread. For a cozy dinner, I highly recommend stirring a spoonful into my Quick Roasted Red Pepper Soup Recipe for added depth.

Everything You Need for Easy Caramelized Onions

Here is the short list of pantry staples required for this recipe:

• Yellow Onions: You will need large ones, as they shrink down significantly during the cooking process.
• Butter: I use this to add a rich, creamy flavor and to help the browning process.
• Kosher Salt: This draws moisture out of the onions and concentrates their natural sweetness.

My Method for Easy Caramelized Onions

Let’s get cooking with these simple steps:

1. Start by prepping your onions, which is the most labor-intensive part of this entire recipe. Peel the skins off and cut each onion in half through the root, then remove the root end and slice them into quarter-inch thick half-moons. You want the slices to be uniform so they cook evenly, but they do not need to be paper-thin.
2. Place a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the butter. Swirl the pan gently as the butter melts to coat the entire bottom surface evenly. You want the butter to start foaming slightly, which indicates it is hot enough to receive the onions.
3. Add your sliced onions to the pan in batches if necessary, sprinkling the salt over them as you go. The pan might look incredibly full at first, but do not worry because the volume will reduce drastically within the first few minutes of cooking.
4. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the onions cook slowly, stirring them every few minutes to ensure they brown evenly without burning. As the moisture evaporates, the onions will turn from translucent to golden and finally to a deep, rich brown color.
5. Continue cooking for about 45 minutes until the onions are very soft and have reached your desired level of caramelization. If you notice the bottom of the pan getting too dark or sticky, add a splash of water and scrape up those browned bits to incorporate them back into the Easy Caramelized Onions.

My Best Tips for Perfect Easy Caramelized Onions

Don’t rush the process by turning up the heat, as high heat will scorch the onions before they have a chance to properly break down. Low and slow is the only secret to getting that consistent, deep golden color throughout the entire batch.

If you notice brown bits sticking to the bottom of the pan too quickly, add a small splash of water to lift that flavor back into the onions. This technique prevents burning and helps distribute the savory flavor of the Easy Caramelized Onions evenly.

While I prefer using butter for the flavor contribution of the milk solids, you can use a mix of butter and oil if you are worried about burning. Salt is crucial right at the beginning because it draws out moisture and helps the onions soften much faster.

How to Serve This Easy Caramelized Onions

I find that these onions add an instant upgrade to a classic patty melt or grilled cheese sandwich. You can also stir them into mashed potatoes for a savory side dish that feels fancy but requires very little effort.

They are absolutely incredible when piled high on top of a juicy steak or mixed into a warm dip. I often keep a jar in the fridge to add a spoonful to my morning omelets for a sweet and savory breakfast.

If you enjoyed this recipe, I’d love for you to follow me on Pinterest for more easy and comforting meal ideas!

Easy Caramelized Onions

---

• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 1 hr
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions made with just three ingredients. The perfect topping for burgers, steaks, and sandwiches.

---

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced

---

Instructions

1. Peel the onions and slice them into uniform quarter-inch half-moons after removing the root ends.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it begins to foam.
3. Add the sliced onions and salt to the pan, stirring to coat them in the butter.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the onions for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add a splash of water if the pan becomes dry or if the fond starts to darken too much, scraping the bottom to release the flavor.
6. Remove from heat once the onions are deep golden brown and completely soft.

Notes

You can use sweet onions or white onions if you prefer, though yellow onions offer the best balance of savory and sweet flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Resting Time:
• Cook Time: 50 min
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 0.25 cup
• Calories: 85
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 330mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: easy caramelized onions, homemade onions, burger topping, steak topping, savory side