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–+ servings
caramelized onions in a bowl with a spoon.
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5 from 1 vote

Sweet Caramelized Onions

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!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: sides
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 53kcal
Author: Julie Maestre

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