Easy Caramelised Onions Recipe

The best easy caramelised onions recipe are sweet, sticky and have a depth of flavour that I love. Simple to make; all it takes is four ingredients that you are likely already to have.

If you have never had caramelised onions, then you are in for a treat. They add a delicious flavour booster for just about everything from burgers to soups. My favourite to way would have to be on steak sandwiches and burgers.

There is no such thing as a quick process to making caramelised onion. The onions are cooked slowly over low heat until they become sweet, soft, and a deep golden-brown (if using brown or white). This slow cooking process causes their natural sugars to break down (caramelisation), creating a rich, savoury-sweet flavour.

This method requires patience, so don't turn up the heat, thinking it will speed up the process. Making caramelised onions is so worth it. I would call it a labor of love. Way better than store bought, which I find too sickly sweet.

I like to use butter and olive oil. The butter adds a richer flavour and helps glaze the onions beautifully and olive oil prevents the onions from burning.

You can use brown, white or red onions. For this recipe I used red onions. One of my favourite onions.

Brown (or yellow) onions are good for caramelising because they have a high sugar content that turns into a deep, complex flavour through the slow cooking. They become sweet, nutty, and intense, and their colour develops into a rich, even golden-brown. 

White onions are a good choice for caramelising because they become milder and sweeter with a crisp, light flavour that can turn into a jammy consistency when cooked low and slow.

Red onions are a good choice for caramelising because they are sweeter than brown onions and have a high sugar content that caramelises well.

• Sandwiches and burgers: Essential on grilled cheese, patty melts, burgers, and brie crostini.
• Appetisers and snacks: Perfect in French onion dip, savory tarts, or puff pastry appetizers.
• Main dishes: Mix into pastas (like mac and cheese), pizzas, or serve over steaks and chops.
• Breakfast: Mix into omelets, frittatas, or hash.
• Condiments: Add to gravy for extra richness.
• Soups: Use as the base for French onion soup or to add depth to stews.

You might like to try:

• Easy sautéed broccolini with garlic
• Honey rosemary carrots
• Easy crispy roast potatoes
• Creamy fluffy mashed potatoes
• Simple lemon herb couscous
• Sauteed green beans with walnuts and garlic
• Grilled corn with chilli lime and coriander

If you liked this easy caramelised onions recipe, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.

Easy Caramelised Onion Recipe

Recipe by Marie Otty

The best easy caramelised onions recipe are sweet, sticky and have a depth of flavour that I love. Easy to make; all it takes is four ingredients that you are likely already to have.

Course: SidesCuisine: WesternDifficulty: Easy

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Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Total time

50

minutes

Ingredients

• 4 red onions, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp salted butter

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions

• Start the base: Heat a large frying pan on low heat and add the olive oil and salted butter.
• Soften the onions: Once the butter has melted, add the thinly sliced red onions. Cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and have released their moisture.
• Caramelise: Remove the lid and add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. Continue cooking, uncovered, for a further 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become a deep, dark, and sticky consistency.