How to Caramelize Onions

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: people

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Learn how to caramelize onions perfectly every time. This basic cooking skill is easy, and caramelized onions add so much flavor to so many recipes. Get the step by step recipe and lots of tips below!

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Ingredients

1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
1 pound yellow onions peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Add the oil and butter to a medium-large skillet set over medium-high heat.
1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Once the butter is melted, add the onion, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
1 pound yellow onions, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cook until the onions start to turn brown in spots, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Turn the heat down to low, cover the skillet, and cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water as necessary if the onions start to stick to the pan or if the pan starts to get too dark.

Video

Notes

Onions will cook down significantly, so what looks like a lot in the beginning will yield much less in the end.
Make sure you're using a large pan/skillet to avoid overcrowding the onions.
Keep the temperature low to avoid burning.
Add a splash of water to the pan as needed if the onions start to stick or burn.
Let the butter melt fully, coating the pan as it melts, before you add in the onions.
Be sure to use unsalted butter for this recipe.
Stir the onions regularly to make sure they cook evenly, and to prevent sticking.
If you want to change up the flavor, you can add various spices and herbs while cooking. You can also cook along with garlic, or add a little bit of broth while they caramelize.
Perfect caramelized onions take some time and attention, so have patience. The flavor will be worth it!

Storage: Store caramelized onion in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition