How To Caramelize Onions

Just a few ingredients are needed to turn a batch of onions into something delightfully rich, sweet, and savory. Use caramelized onions as a pizza topping, for sandwiches, salad, to jazz up appetizers and so much more!

 

Just a few ingredients are needed to turn a batch of onions into something delightfully rich, sweet and savory. Use caramelized onions as pizza topping, for sandwiches, salad, to jazz up appetizers and so much more! | manilaspoon.com

I love, love, love caramelized onions!

Caramelized onions enhance the flavor of anything you add it to. I discovered this several years ago when I cooked a French-style fish dish that recommended caramelized onions as topping and after that, I was hooked.

It was so good. Thereafter, it was just a matter of experimenting here and there, adding it to sandwiches, pizzas and so much more.

Naturally, when I make my favorite fish dish, you can be sure these sweet onions are always on the side. I love that my family enjoys its taste, too including even my little ones.

 

Just a few ingredients are needed to turn a batch of onions into something delightfully rich, sweet and savory. Use caramelized onions as pizza topping, for sandwiches, salad, to jazz up appetizers and so much more! | manilaspoon.com

 

So I realized I ought to add a recipe for caramelized onions on the blog. After all, it’s a pretty easy and simple dish.

It may take longer than simply sauteing onions but the result of allowing the onions to cook slowly until they turn beautifully brown and sweet is all worth the wait.

And, it certainly goes a long way as even a little amount added truly perks up any dish! I know that in theory and practice.

I have only used wine in making this as when I tried it once, I truly loved how it turned out – so deliciously sweet but still retaining a bit of savory tinge.

If you cannot use or don’t have wine, don’t fret you can certainly substitute it with balsamic vinegar but I would recommend wine if that is possible because it brings out the sweetness of the onions. Enjoy! 

 

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How to Caramelize Onions

By: Manila Spoon

Published: 01/07/2016

How to Caramelize Onions

 

Just a few ingredients are needed to turn a batch of onions into something delightfully rich, sweet and savory. Use caramelized onions as pizza topping, for sandwiches, salad, to jazz up appetizers and so much more!

Ingredients

  • 4 large Yellow Onions, sliced thinly (about 1/8″)
  • 3 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
  • 1/3 cup White Wine or as needed (you can sub with balsamic vinegar but adjust the amount to taste)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large, heavy-bottomed pan or skillet, melt the butter in the olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions. Stir to cook until the onions begin to soften.
  2. Continue to cook and stir occasionally until the onions begin to stick to the pan. This may take between 15-20 minutes.
  3. When the onions begin to stick and are looking nicely browned, slowly pour in half of the wine and deglaze the pan by scraping all the yummy brown pits at the bottom. Let the wine evaporate as you cook.
  4. Once the wine has evaporated and the onions get sticky again, pour in the rest of the wine. Cook and stir occasionally until the wine is absorbed and the onions are very soft without being mushy and have turned a lovely caramel color. Add a little more wine, if needed, to scrape the bottom bits. Season with a little salt and pepper, if desired. 
  5. Cool and store in a tightly-covered container and refrigerate. It keeps for several days.

Yield: 2 cups
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Cook time: 00 hrs. 40 mins.
Total time: 50 mins.
Tags: onions, caramelized, appetizers, toppings, tutorial

 

Just a few ingredients are needed to turn a batch of onions into something delightfully rich, sweet and savory. Use caramelized onions as pizza topping, for sandwiches, salad, to jazz up appetizers and so much more! | manilaspoon.com

 

Last updated on May 15th, 2021 at 10:01 pm

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18 Comments

  1. January 8, 2016 / 1:42 am

    Caramelized onions are fantastic! Thank you very much for making them so much easier not to mess up 🙂

  2. January 8, 2016 / 1:48 am

    I'm so with you on my love for caramelized onions. I just made a batch this week. They make everything taste better!

  3. January 8, 2016 / 1:54 am

    I love caramelized onions, I could eat them on a flip flop. I love your addition of wine, I need to try that.

  4. January 8, 2016 / 1:58 am

    Luscious looking, absolutely luscious. Nice job with the recipe and the photo!

  5. January 8, 2016 / 2:45 am

    We love anything with caramelized onions…I am definitely trying your technique!

  6. January 8, 2016 / 3:18 am

    We also love caramelized onions, they are so good on a variety of foods.

  7. January 8, 2016 / 3:42 am

    Carmelized onions are often overlooked, but just as much of a treat as sautéed mushrooms. Love the white wine – perfect addition!

  8. January 8, 2016 / 3:46 am

    I love seeing posts about some basics! I'm gonna try it this time next time, they look lovely…mmmm caramelized onions

  9. January 8, 2016 / 4:12 am

    I have never used wine in caramelized onions. neat idea!!!

  10. January 8, 2016 / 4:44 am

    Thanks for providing this fantastic informational post. It serves as a good reminder to me how versatile and delicious onions can taste! Now, of course, all I want is a big bowl of something warm, with these beautiful and luscious looking onions in the mix! Great job with this post, Abby!

  11. January 8, 2016 / 8:09 am

    I love, love caramelized onions and I love the addition of wine in them!

  12. January 8, 2016 / 4:00 pm

    I pretty much always caramelize onions for any recipe, soup, stew, tacos, whatever. And, I'm always interested in the different methods I see for doing them. I love your recipe, it's a little different than the way I do them, but pretty close. Thanks so much for sharing this!

  13. January 8, 2016 / 4:49 pm

    Caramelized onions are so good in loads of recipes. Yours look spot on!!

  14. January 8, 2016 / 10:15 pm

    I could eat caramelized onions every day! Yours look fab 🙂

  15. January 9, 2016 / 1:09 am

    Yes! I did the same thing last year after I called for them in a recipe. I realized not everyone would know how to make them! I love the addition of balsamic you suggest here! Sounds absolutely divine

  16. January 9, 2016 / 3:47 am

    Thanks for sharing, how are you, Abby, miss you as no more Manila Spoon in my facebook ! Glad to see it today ! Keep up the good work !

  17. January 9, 2016 / 2:42 pm

    So delicious!!! Love caramelized onions, I could eat these on so many things!!!!

  18. January 10, 2016 / 7:09 pm

    Great tips! I LOVE caramelized onions! Together with goat cheese, it's just perfect! 🙂

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