How To Make Caramelized Onions

5 from 1 vote

How To Make Caramelized Onions

Learn how to make the best caramelized onions at home with this fail-proof technique that yields perfectly sweet results every time.

Servings cup

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 50

Total Time 55

Equipment

Frying pan

Ingredients

½ large yellow onion sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

First, heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Once the butter is melted, add the sliced onions to the pan and stir to coat them in the oil and butter.
Cook the onions until they become translucent, stirring occasionally, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then, add the salt and sugar to help start the caramelization process.
Once the onions start to look dry, add about a quarter cup of water to the pan. Cook until the water has evaporated and the onions are dry again, stirring occasionally. Continue this process, cooking the onions over medium-low heat and adding some water to the pan whenever they look like they might start burning, until the onions are caramelized. This whole process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
The onions will be done once they’re a nice, even brown color and smell sweet. For more flavorful caramelized onions, you can continue cooking until they are a rich, deep brown.

Notes

Types of onions: You can caramelize any type of onion, but yellow onions are the most common since they provide the best balance of sweet and savory. If you want a more tangy version, use red onion.

Caramelizing onions over medium-low heat: Cooking the onions at medium-low takes some time and patience, but lowers the risk of burning. If at any point you notice the onions are browning too much around the edges (instead of evenly browning), it probably means they are starting to burn. Add some water to the pan and keep an eye on them, lowering the heat if they dry out too quickly.

Note on cookware and stove type: Different types of cookware and different types of stoves (i.e. gas versus electric) can yield vastly different results. Don’t worry too much about the exact cooking times or measurements listed in the recipe. Instead, use sensory cues like how the onions look, smell, and sound to understand when it’s time to add more water, or if you need to adjust the heat. For more guidance on this concept, check out our post on intuitive cooking here.

Storing caramelized onions: You can prepare these onions ahead of time for many recipes and store them in the fridge. Let them cool to room temperature, store in an airtight container, and they'll stay good for up to 5 days.

Serving suggestions: Caramelized onions are a great addition to pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and even soups! Try our restaurant style pretzel pub burger, braised short rib grilled cheese, or a pizza topped with goat cheese and caramelized onions if you don't know where to start.

Author: Nicole and Alex

Calories: 266kcal

Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butter, granulated sugar, salt, vegetable oil, water, yellow onion

Nutrition