Description
This recipe guides you through the process of making perfect caramelized onions, resulting in deeply flavorful, sweet, and tender onions that are ideal as a topping or ingredient in a variety of dishes. Slowly cooked in butter and finished with optional balsamic vinegar, these caramelized onions add rich depth to your meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions
- 3 large yellow onions
Cooking Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water (as needed)
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Onions: Peel and slice the onions thinly and evenly to ensure consistent cooking throughout.
- Heat Butter: Place a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat and melt the butter evenly to prevent burning during cooking.
- Add Onions: Add the sliced onions to the melted butter, stirring to coat all pieces, then spread them evenly across the pan’s surface.
- Initial Cooking: Let the onions cook, stirring every few minutes as they soften and release their moisture to avoid burning and ensure even caramelization.
- Reduce Heat: After about 15 minutes, reduce the heat slightly to allow slower cooking and deeper browning without scorching.
- Continue Cooking: Stir regularly and add a splash of water to deglaze the pan if the onions start to stick, helping to lift the flavorful browned bits and prevent burning.
- Finish Caramelizing: Continue cooking for an additional 40 to 50 minutes until the onions become deep brown, soft, and jammy in texture.
- Add Flavor Boost: Stir in the optional balsamic vinegar at the end to add a subtle tangy sweetness that enhances the caramelized flavor.
- Serve: Allow the onions to cool or serve immediately as a delicious addition to your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Stir frequently, especially towards the end, to avoid scorching.
- Adjust water quantity as needed to deglaze the pan and maintain moisture.
- Caramelized onions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week and frozen for longer storage.
- Balsamic vinegar is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramelized onions, onions recipe, slow cooked onions, side dish, sweet onions
