Caramelized Onions (Foolproof Method) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

This caramelized onions recipe transforms ordinary onions into irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth goodness—an essential skill for your culinary toolkit. Though seemingly simple, my favorite method for how to make caramelized onions makes them sweet, plump, and packed with flavor, much like sauteed mushrooms. I’ll spill all my secrets for making them perfectly!

Unlike sauteed onions, caramelized onions are cooked slowly and for a longer time, allowing the natural sugars in the onion to caramelize. The result is much sweeter and more rich. And just like my healthy balsamic glaze recipe, they infuse instant flavor into just about any dinner recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Caramelized Onions Recipe

• Sweet & savory flavors
• Perfectly caramelized
• Plump and juicy, never dry
• Easy to make
• Versatile for so many different dishes

How To Cut Onions For Caramelizing

You can cut onions in two ways – slicing or dicing. I personally prefer my caramelized onions sliced, so that they make luxurious ribbons when complete, but diced onions will caramelize, too.

To Slice The Onion:

• Peel the onion.
• Cut off the ends (both the root end and other end).
• Cut the onion in half.
• Place an onion half flat side down andslice to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness, parallel to the cut ends.
• Repeat with the other half.

To Dice The Onion:

• Start by following the same steps above, keeping the slices together when slicing.
• Turn the sliced onion 90 degrees and slice in the opposite direction.

How To Caramelize Onions

This section shows how to make caramelized onions, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Melt butter. Heat unsalted butter in a large saute pan over medium high heat, until melted.
2. Add the onions and broth. Add the sliced onions and some bone broth (or regular chicken broth) to the pan. This will help keep them moist. Saute, stirring occasionally with a spatula, but not constantly.
3. Hydrate and deglaze. Add a bit more broth, scrape any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
4. Caramelize. Continue to cook the caramelized onions, until golden brown.

Storage Instructions

Store the onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat them in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat, until they sizzle.

Common Questions

Still have more questions? These answers can help:

• How long to caramelize onions? Caramelize onions over medium-low to medium heat for approximately 20-35 minutes, or until they turn a rich, deep brown color.
• How to caramelize onions fast? Caramelizing onions requires patience for the richest flavor. However, if you want to speed up the process, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per pound of raw onions (this raises the pH level, helping the Maillard reaction happen faster), or simply make a smaller batch (which will caramelize more quickly).
• What is the best onion to caramelize? Classic caramelized onions are typically made with yellow or white onions. However, you can certainly use red onion or Vidalia onion as well.
• Can you freeze caramelized onions? Absolutely, you can freeze caramelized onions! Store them in zip lock bags (or individual portions in ice cube trays) in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or in a bowl of water on the counter, before using in recipes.

Ways To Use Caramelized Onions

Now that you know how to caramelize onions perfectly, there are so many ways to use them! Here are some of my favorite ways:

• Beef – Take your burgers to the next level, or add these sweet and savory onions on top of a juicy filet mignon for a fancy meal, a flank steak for a budget friendly meal, or any steak for that matter.
• Pork – I use them to make the onion gravy for my smothered pork chops, and they are also delicious with a pork tenderloin or on top of air fried brats.
• Chicken – These are the star of the show in my French onion chicken, but you could top just about any chicken recipe with caramelized onions.
• Breakfast – Stuff these sweet onions into a fluffy healthy omelette, or tuck them into a breakfast casserole or spinach quiche for a burst of flavor.
• Soups – I always use them in my low carb French onion soup, but tossing them into other soup recipes just amplifies the end result.
• Salads – Toss caramelized onions into a salmon salad, or sprinkle them over a grilled chicken salad or even cheeseburger salad for added sweetness.
• Sandwiches – You can’t go wrong topping any sandwich with these caramelized beauties. For healthier sandwich alternatives, I use white keto bread or almond flour bread.
• Appetizers – Made with just 6 ingredients, French onion dip is a party fave, but I like to add them to spinach dip for a burst of flavor from time to time.
• Pizza – I like to use them as a topping for my keto pizza crust, but you can even use them on cauliflower pizza crust or zucchini pizza crust.
• Noodles – Stir them into a heaping bowl of your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or spaghetti squash with marinara sauce.