By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 26, 2023
Learning how to caramelize onions has changed the cooking game for me! They’re so perfectly sweet and savory, and they improve every dish I add them to. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make. All you need is a little patience. Caramelized onions are my secret ingredient for insanely flavorful dips, dinners, and more!
Before I show you how to caramelize onions, let’s talk about what it means to caramelize something. It’s the same process that’s used to make caramel , but you can “caramelize” lots of things that contain natural sugars, including onions! What you’re doing is bringing out the natural sugars within the onion while cooking so that you can really taste the sweetness. These caramelized onions are a total flavor game-changer!
What’s in This Caramelized Onions Recipe?
- Onions : You can use any kind of onion, but I prefer yellow onions because they have the best flavor balance. Sweeter onion varieties generally caramelize best because they have a higher sugar content, but again, any onion will work (including red onions).
- Butter + Olive Oil: Using butter (in addition to oil) adds a beautiful richness to the flavor.
- Spices : You don’t necessarily need seasoning but I like to add salt and pepper plus fresh thyme leaves to enhance the savoriness.
Tips for Success
- 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.
- Let the butter melt fully, coating the pan as it melts, before you add in the onions.
- Stir the onions regularly to make sure they cook evenly, and to prevent sticking.
- Add a splash of water to the pan as needed if the onions start to stick or burn.
- Adding sugar to the pan will speed up the process, but I have found that it makes the onions too sweet, so I don’t recommend it.
- Be patient! You can get great results in about 20-25 minutes of cooking, but you can also continue on longer for even sweeter, softer, darker onions.
- I highly recommend making caramelized onions in big batches ahead of time and storing them in the refrigerator. This process can take some time, so having them ready in the fridge will speed up all your weeknight recipes. This is something you could do during your weekly meal prep !
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover caramelized onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze them flat in resealable bags or in small portions in ice trays for up to 3 months. Simply add the onions to a dish and allow them to reheat as the dish cooks, or reheat them in the microwave in 30-second bursts until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
Caramelized onions are my secret weapon! They add a complex, sweet yet savory flavor to any dish. They’re a staple for French onion soup , patty melts , and all kinds of recipes. Add them to burgers, pastas, soups, pizza, and more. Or serve them on the side alongside a juicy steak .
Some of my favorite recipes to add them to are caramelized onion Swiss burgers , caramelized onion bacon dip , hot onion souffle dip , French onion chicken skillet , and butter burgers .
5-Star Review
“I have tried making caramelized onions before and they were meh. Your emphasis on “patience” really resonated with me. The water tip is invaluable. The video was another plus. THANK YOU!” -Margaret
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 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
Video
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.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Caramelize Onions Step by Step
Melt the Butter: Add 1½ tablespoons of extra-virgin oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to a medium-large skillet set over medium-high heat.
Add the Onions: Once the butter is melted, add 1 pound of peeled and thinly sliced yellow onion, 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves, ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Cook the Onions: Cook until the onions start to turn brown in spots, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Continue to Cook and Stir: 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.
More Cooking Basics to Learn!
How to Roast Garlic (Oven Roasted Garlic)
How to Cook Asparagus 10 Ways – Asparagus Recipes
How to Cook Corn on the Cob (Boiling Corn on the Cob)
How to Cook Ground Beef (Boiling Ground Beef for Tacos, Spaghetti, etc.)
How to Caramelize Onions
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
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
