Caramelized Onions add deep, complex and surprisingly sweet flavor that makes them perfect for topping burgers and sandwiches and complementing your favorite meat dishes.
Basics by The BakerMama
Welcome to Basics by The BakerMama! I created this how-to series to help beginner cooks hone their skills, make the most of their time in the kitchen, and create great family memories. I hope you enjoy!
Why Caramelize?
We’re used to adding onion to dishes for its subtle heat and crunch. But slow cooking strips onion of its bite. It breaks down the sugars in the onion creating a whole new, buttery, meaty flavor with a subtly sweet finish. They’re so delicious, I can absolutely eat them on their own! but they’re even better on top of burgers, sandwiches or a nice steak. YUM! Let me show you how to get that deep, toasty flavor every time!
Serving Suggestions for Caramelized Onions
- Add as a topping option for a Build-Your-Own Burger Board.
- Serve with a reverse seared steak for that steak house experience.
- Add to grilled cheese sandwiches or grilled cheese hotdogs for a more sophisticated flavor profile.
- Top your favorite crostini or bruschetta for a simple, delicious appetizer.
Ingredients and Supplies
Ingredients:
- Olive oil or unsalted butter: keeps the onion from sticking to the skillet and aids in releasing the natural sugars.
- Large yellow onion (thinly sliced): the thicker the slice the longer you’ll need to cook them down. White onion will also work.
- Granulated sugar: helps with browning and adds a subtly sweet profile.
- Kosher salt: balances out the overall flavor of the onion.
Supplies:
How to Caramelize Onions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced onions and then sprinkle them with the sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat.
- Cook slowly, stirring every few minutes. If pan gets dry or onions stick too much, add 1 tablespoon water to deglaze.
- Cook until golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.
More Basics to Complement Your Cooking
Get the most out of your time in the kitchen with these how-to basics:
- Roasted Head of Garlic: Bring out the slightly sweet, caramelized garlic flavor you love so much. Whether you want to add more flavor layers to your favorite recipes or just enjoy it on its own, roasted garlic packs a punch!
- Pickled Red Onion: From tacos to burgers to bagels and lox, pickled red onion brings extra pep and a pop of color to your favorite casual meals.
- Roasted Chickpeas: Roasted to perfect, chickpeas dd texture and flavor to salads and make a delicious snack.
I hope you find these simple basics helpful! When you make something with the help of my BakerMama’s Basics series, be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @thebakermama or join and share to our Friends of The BakerMama group so I can see and others can be inspired! Enjoy!
xoxo,
How to Caramelize Onions
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1/2 cup
Description
Caramelized Onions add deep, complex and surprisingly sweet flavor that makes them perfect for topping burgers and sandwiches and complementing your favorite meat dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil or butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add sliced onions and then sprinkle them with the sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir to coat.
- Cook slowly, stirring every few minutes. If pan gets dry or onions stick too much, add 1 tablespoon water to deglaze.
- Cook until golden brown and caramelized, about 25-30 minutes.
