Carmelized Onions – A Powerful Flavor To So Many Dishes

What is carmelizated onions?

Caramelized onions are onions that have been slowly cooked over low to medium heat until they become soft, sweet, and golden brown.

Thanks to the natural sugars contained in onions, caramelization occurs when this versatile vegetable is exposed to heat. Onions take a particularly long time to caramelize due to their high water content—about 89 percent—which requires a longer sweat time before the sugars begin to break down.

Don’t rush the process

No matter the approach, the caramelization process will take time: 15–20 minutes for french onion soup and 45 min to an hour for the golden rich brown hued onions.

What type of pan should you use

The best type of pan for caramelizing onions is a wide, thick-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel pan.

The size of the pan will depend on the quantity of onions being caramelized. To avoid overcrowding, a 12-inch pan should contain no more than 2 large onions at a time. To increase the quantity of onions cooked at once, use a larger skillet.

Choose the right onion

When caramelizing, use sweeter varieties of onions with higher quantities of natural sugar, like yellow onions, white onions, and Vidalia

Type of fat to use

• Butter vs. Oil: Butter adds a rich flavor, while olive oil has a higher smoke point and can be used for longer cooking times. Many people enjoy a mix of both for flavor and cooking performance.
• Adjust as Needed: If the onions start to stick to the pan, add a little more fat. You can also deglaze the pan with a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking without adding fat.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure the onions are cooked evenly and have enough fat to enhance their flavor without making the dish overly oily.

How to slice the onions

Halve both onions through root end. Using the tip of your knife, cut a V-shaped notch around root to remove it (this will ensure that all slices separate when you cut the onion).

Place 1 onion half on your cutting board so root end is facing you, then thinly slice onion lengthwise, starting at one side and working all the way to the other (so your knife runs through the root halfway through, not starting or ending at the root end). You’re going for slices that are ¼”–⅛” thick.

Ingredients:

• 4 large onions, or 6 medium onions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil/butter or one tablespoon of each
• Pinch of kosher salt

Instructions:

• Evenly slice the onion into thin, half moon-shaped pieces. Preheat a thin layer of olive oil or butter or a combination of both over low to medium-low heat in a large cast iron or stainless steel pan.
• Once the oil is warm, add the sliced onions to the pan with a pinch of salt and cook the onions until they’ve started to brown,about 5 minutes. Stir the onions as infrequently as possible, just enough to prevent burning.
• Once the oil is warm, add the sliced onions to the pan with a pinch of salt and cook the onions until they’ve started to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir the onions as infrequently as possible, just enough to prevent burning.
• Avoid overcrouding, onions that are packed too tightly in the pan will produce tons of excess water, which will make the caramelization process move along extremely slowly. To avoid this, cook no more than 2 large onions per 12-inch pan.
• Add a splash of water to deglaze the pan and use a spatula to scrape the brown pieces up from the bottom of the pan into the onions. Repeat this deglazing process each time brown bits begin to form on the pan, for about 45 minutes.
• Once complete, the onions will be tender in texture, a rich golden brown in color, and slightly sweet in flavor.

Serve immediately or store in an airtight refrigerator in the fridge for up to a week.

Caramelized onions add a rich, sweet flavor to various dishes. Here are several ways to use them:

1. Toppings for Burgers: Add caramelized onions to burgers for extra flavor and moisture.
2. Pizzas: Use them as a topping on pizzas, paired with cheese or vegetables for a gourmet touch.
3. Soups: Incorporate them into French onion soup or use them to enhance the flavor of other soups.
4. Sandwiches and Wraps: Add caramelized onions to sandwiches, wraps, or paninis for added depth of flavor.
5. Pasta Dishes: Stir them into pasta dishes or toss them with cooked grains like rice or quinoa.
6. Omelettes and Frittatas: Include them in egg dishes for a sweet and savory flavor.
7. Savory Tarts: Use caramelized onions as a filling in savory tarts or quiches.
8. Bruschetta: Spread them on toasted bread for a tasty bruschetta appetizer.
9. Garnish for Steaks: Serve caramelized onions on top of grilled meats or steaks to enhance the dish.
10. In Dips: Blend with cream cheese or sour cream to create a flavorful dip for veggies or chips.

These ideas are great for leveling up your meals and highlighting just how tasty caramelized onions can be!

Happy Carmelizing!

BB