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    Posted In: Kitchen Tips, Sides, Vegetables
    September 7, 2022 — Updated September 24, 2022 — by Julie — Leave a Comment

    Home » Sides » Sweet Caramelized Onions

    Sweet Caramelized Onions

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    These sweet caramelized onions are tender, savory, sweet, and the ultimate topping or condiment. Although these take about 40 minutes to cook, they’re so worth it and last in the fridge for up to 5 days!

    Enjoy these sweet onions on top of steaks, burgers, salads, grilled cheese, and hot dogs.

    caramelized onions in a bowl with a spoon.
    Jump to: hide
    1 Best Onions To Use
    2 Ingredients Needed
    3 How To Cut The Onions
    4 What Type Of Skillet Should I Use?
    5 Top Tips For Perfect Caramelized Onions
    6 Storage
    7 More Recipes You Might Enjoy…
    8 Sweet Caramelized Onions

    Best Onions To Use

    Although some onions are much sweeter than others you can use any type of onion you want. Red onions, yellow onions, white onions, and Vidalia onions are all great. If you find that your onions have a bitter taste, add a pinch of sugar. Sugar not only adds sweetness but also helps the onions caramelize quicker.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Onions – I used yellow onions but again feel free to use red, white, or Vidalia onions instead. Just make sure you cut the onions into thin slices (about 1/8-inch thick).
    • Oil – Any type of oil will work.
    • Sugar – Completely optional but I like adding a pinch of it to make the onions extra sweet. Brown sugar or white granulated sugar works.
    • Salt – You’ll need salt for flavor.
    labeled ingredients.

    How To Cut The Onions

    Slice off the ends of the onions, cut them in half, and remove the outer layer of the onions. Place the onions cut side down on a cutting board. Slice the onions lengthwise or from stem to root. You can do half moons or onion rings. If you want to cut the onions into rings, don’t cut the onions in half.

    raw onion slices in a skillet on the stovetop.

    What Type Of Skillet Should I Use?

    Any heavy bottom pan or cast iron skillet will work.

    Top Tips For Perfect Caramelized Onions

    • To keep the onions from drying out, add a splash of water every 15-20 minutes as they cook.
    • Don’t overmix the onions, doing so won’t allow the onions to brown and get a nice crust. But also, make sure to give them a stir every 7-10 minutes so they don’t burn.
    • Cook the onions over medium-low heat for at least 35-40 minutes or until they acquire a rich brown color.
    • For extra flavor, add butter and fresh thyme, if desired. You can also add a splash of chicken stock, wine, or balsamic vinegar.
    • Feel free to double or triple this recipe. You can use as many onions as you like, keep in mind that the longer the onions cook, the more they will reduce. It may seem like a lot of onions while they’re raw but once they caramelize they will shrink. I got about 1/2 cup of caramelized onions from two large yellow onions.
    • Use a sharp knife to slice the onions.
    caramelized onions in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

    Storage

    Allow the caramelized onions to cool completely then transfer them to a mason jar, storage bag, or plastic air-tight container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. You can enjoy these at room temperature, hot, or cold.

    More Recipes You Might Enjoy…

    • French Onion Dip
    • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onions
    • French Onion Soup
    • Beer Battered Onion Rings

    Tried these sweet caramelized onions? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

    caramelized onions in a bowl with a spoon.

    Sweet Caramelized Onions

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: sides
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 53kcal
    Author: Julie Maestre
    These sweet caramelized onions are tender, savory, sweet, and the ultimate topping or condiment. Although these take about 40 minutes to cook, they're so worth it and last in the fridge for up to 5 days!

    Equipment

    • Cutting Board
    • sharp knife
    • skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 onions
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • salt to taste
    • sugar to taste

    Instructions

    • Slice off the ends of the onions, cut them in half, and remove the outer layer of the onions. Place the onions cut side down on a cutting board. Slice the onions lengthwise or from stem to root.
    • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and reduce the heat to medium-low.
    • Stir the onions every 7-10 minutes. Add a splash of water or more oil as needed to prevent the onions from drying out.
    • Add a pinch of sugar to make them extra sweet, if desired and season with salt.
    • Cook the onions for a total of 35-40 minutes while stirring every 7-10 minutes.
    • Feel free to add butter and fresh herbs for extra flavor and enjoy!

    Notes

    • To keep the onions from drying out, add a splash of water every 15-20 minutes as they cook.
    • Don’t overmix the onions, doing so won’t allow the onions to brown and get a nice crust. But also, make sure to give them a stir every 7-10 minutes so they don’t burn.
    • Cook the onions over medium-low heat for at least 35-40 minutes or until they acquire a rich brown color.
    • For extra flavor, add butter and fresh thyme, if desired. You can also add a splash of chicken stock, wine, or balsamic vinegar.
    • Feel free to double or triple this recipe. You can use as many onions as you like, keep in mind that the longer the onions cook, the more they will reduce. It may seem like a lot of onions while they’re raw but once they caramelize they will shrink. I got about 1/2 cup of caramelized onions from two large yellow onions.
    • Use a sharp knife to slice the onions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedbyjulie or tag #cookedbyjulie!

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    Filed Under: Kitchen Tips, Sides, Vegetables

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    Hi, I'm Julie! I’m extremely fortunate to make a living doing what I truly love – creating and sharing my favorite “can’t live without” recipes with readers from all over the world.

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