How to Make Caramelized Onions
Sweet, deeply caramelized onions add an amazing depth of flavor to any dish, making it a must-have in any kitchen. This easy, fool-proof method only requires three basic ingredients and a few optional add-ons for the best caramelized onions you can make!
Print
Pin
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 512kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 large Spanish or sweet onions thinly sliced*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves optional
- ½ cup dry white wine
- water as needed
Instructions
- Heat the butter or oil in a pan over medium heat and drop in the onions. Season with salt, stir, and then pour in about ¼ cup of water. Cover, and let cook for about 10 minutes. Open the lid, give them a stir, then cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes until they become very soft. Continue cooking, uncovered, and allow the liquid to evaporate.
- Stir in the thyme, if using, and then once all the liquid has dried up, deglaze the pan with the wine. Be sure to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom so they can dissolve in the liquid. Once the wine evaporates, deglaze the pan again with a few tablespoons of water, scrape the bottom, and cook until the pan dries out again.
- Continue this process until the onions reach a deep golden brown color. It can take up to an hour for this to happen, so be patient, and don't take your eyes off of the pan for too long. The onions can turn from perfectly caramelized to burnt in a matter of seconds.
- Remove the pan from the heat, transfer the onions to a container, allow to cool and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, the onions can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Video
Notes
- Slice the onions as thinly and evenly as possible. Keeping the root end of the onion attached while you slice makes it easier.
- Be attentive and check on your onions frequently. A few seconds can make the difference between perfectly cooked and burnt.
- Be patient. The key is to cook the onions slowly to coax the sugar and flavors out, and this will take time.
Nutrition
Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 1402mg | Potassium: 886mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 754IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 2mg