Caramelized Onions
Transform humble yellow onions into a rich, sweet, and deeply savory masterpiece with patience and a gentle heat.
Ingredients
- •3 large yellow onions (about 2 pounds), peeled and thinly sliced
- •3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or substitute pareve margarine for a pareve version)
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar (optional, to help browning)
- •2 tablespoons water or low-sodium vegetable broth (for deglazing)
Instructions
- 1
Slice the onions uniformly from root to stem to ensure even cooking.
- 2
Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until the butter is melted and foaming.
- 3
Add the sliced onions to the pan, tossing them to coat thoroughly in the oil and butter mixture.
- 4
Cook the onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and release their moisture.
- 5
Reduce the heat to medium-low, sprinkle the salt and sugar over the onions, and continue cooking.
- 6
Stir every 3 to 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 7
If the pan gets too dry or fond starts to burn, add a tablespoon of water or broth to deglaze the skillet.
- 8
Continue this slow cooking process for about 35 to 45 minutes total, until the onions are deeply golden brown, incredibly soft, and jammy.
- 9
Remove from heat and use immediately in your favorite dishes or let cool for storage.
💡 Chef tips
- For a strictly pareve recipe, omit the butter and use a full 5 tablespoons of olive oil or vegan butter.
- Caramelized onions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
- A heavy-bottomed stainless steel or cast-iron skillet works best to distribute heat evenly without scorching the onions.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished onions should be deeply mahogany in color, wonderfully soft and jammy in texture, with a rich, sweet aroma and a deeply savory, concentrated onion flavor.