Description
Classic caramelized onions are slowly cooked to a deep golden brown, releasing their natural sweetness and rich flavor. Perfect as a savory topping or ingredient in various dishes, these onions transform ordinary meals into extraordinary delights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 lbs onions
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional)
- ½ cup water, dry white wine, or chicken broth as needed
Instructions
- Slice the Onions: Cut onions in half from root to stem. Remove the outer papery skin and slice the onions thinly, about ⅛ inch, following the grain.
- Heat the Fat: Add butter or olive oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven and heat over medium.
- Add Onions and Seasonings: Once the butter is melted or oil is shimmering, add the sliced onions along with salt and optional sugar, stirring to combine.
- Cook Until Softened: Cook onions, stirring occasionally every few minutes, until they begin to shrink and reduce in volume.
- Caramelize Slowly: Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a deep golden brown. Deglaze the pan with a splash of water, broth, or wine as needed to prevent sticking or burning.
- Use or Store: Use caramelized onions immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for several months.
Notes
- Onions shrink significantly during cooking; approximately 2.5 to 3 lbs of onions yield about 1 cup of caramelized onions.
- To prevent burning, deglaze the skillet with liquid as needed during cooking.
- For a richer taste, butter is recommended, but olive oil works as a healthier alternative.
- Caramelized onions add a sweet and savory boost to sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and soups.
- Store leftover onions in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for longer preservation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
