Caramelized Onions Recipe
Caramelized onions are sweet, savory, and packed with rich flavor. This easy recipe shows you how to transform simple onions into a golden topping you’ll use on everything—from burgers to pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 3 large yellow onions peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme leaves only
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar optional
- Splash of water or broth as needed for deglazing
Instructions
- In a large cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet, melt the butter with canola oil over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced onions, kosher salt, and fresh thyme leaves. Stir to coat and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent browning.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid.
- Cook onions for 45–60 minutes, stirring every 10–15 minutes.
- If onions begin to stick or crisp, add a splash of water or broth and scrape up the browned bits.
- Optional: Stir in white balsamic vinegar during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Onions are done when they’re deeply golden, jammy, and aromatic.
- Serve warm or cool and store for later use.
Notes
Use a cast iron skillet for even browning and better flavor. For a sweeter twist, try red onions or add a pinch of sugar while cooking. These caramelized onions freeze well for future meals.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving):
Calories: 140
Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 1g
Calories: 140
Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 7g
Protein: 1g