These 17 delicious recipes with caramelized onions are perfect for any occasion. Learn how caramelizing onions can take your dishes to the next level, from dips and condiments to hearty sandwiches and salads.
Today, we're giving a shoutout to an incredibly awesome ingredient: caramelized onions. They have a special place in my heart because my last name (Cipolla) literally translates to "onion" in Italian. Caramelized onions can completely transform any dish's flavor, adding a rich and sweet taste that can make any meal extra special.
Caramelized onions are thinly sliced and cooked on low heat slowly until they are rich, sticky, and golden brown. They completely transform into little sweet and savory umami bombs that are perfect for adding to any dish.
When I first tried them, I realized how their rich, umami flavor can turn simple dishes into something truly special. Whether cooking for a crowd or just whipping up a snack at home, learning the art of caramelizing onions has taken my cooking game to the next level.
I'm excited to share these 17 recipes using caramelized onions that show off how truly amazing they are. From elegant tartlets and appetizers to hardy sandwiches, there's a recipe here for every occasion. Now, let's take a look at these incredible recipes to see how this amazing ingredient can take any meal up a notch.
Caramelized Onion Appetizers
Caramelized Onion Tartlets with Brie
These elegant mini tarts use crispy phyllo cup shells and creamy melted brie cheese as a bed for sweet caramelized onions. Garnished with fresh thyme, they look incredibly fancy but are perfect for bridal showers and holiday events.
Caramelized Onion Tart With Puff Pastry
This caramelized onion tart is a showstopping appetizer made with flakey puff pastry, red onions, sweet fig jam, and crumbled feta. Add a generous amount of peppery arugula on top to make it a meal in itself.
Caramelized Onion Hummus
This creamy hummus recipe uses slow cooked golden brown onions blended with tahini, chickpeas, garlic, and lemon and garnished with more caramelized onions. Try this unique caramelized onion hummus as a dip with fresh veggies or as a spread in your favorite sandwiches.
Fluffy Caramelized Onion Focaccia
This focaccia bread recipe requires no kneading and only uses one bowl, making it perfect for beginners. Topped with sweet golden onions, thyme, and garlic-infused oil, it's the perfect side dish for the holidays.
Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Tartlets
Made with sweet yellow onions, balsamic glaze, goat cheese, and flakey puff pastry, these sweet onion and goat cheese tarts are a fancy appetizer for any party.
Caramelized Onion Sandwiches
Mushroom Onion Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese sandwiches are great by themselves, but this recipe takes them to the next level. Sauteed mushrooms and sweet caramelized onions are smothered in gooey mozzarella cheese and sandwiched between buttery toasted bread. You'll definitely want to make more than just one!
Bacon Cheeseburgers with Coca-Cola Onions
This fabulous burger recipe is topped with slow cooked onions that get their incredible sweetness from simmering in Coca-Cola. Try making these caramelized onions for your burgers at your next barbeque; everyone will ask for the recipe!
Roasted Butternut Squash Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and Pesto
This unique vegetarian sandwich uses ciabatta, tender roasted butternut squash, pesto, and sweet caramelized onions. Perfect for any time of year, it is a guilt-free meal that will totally hit the spot.
Caramelized Onion Burgers with Swiss Cheese and Arugula
These incredible homemade burgers are topped with creamy melted Swiss cheese and sweet balsamic-caramelized onions and finished with a handful of fresh peppery arugula. This is one burger that is perfect for the family all summer long.
Kale and Caramelized Onion Veggie Panini
Melted fontina cheese, sweet slow cooked onions, and sauteed fresh kale make this vegetarian sandwich a winner. This panini recipe also conveniently includes instructions on how to cook it in the oven or on a grill, so you can make it even if you don't own a panini press.
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipe with Bacon, Havarti, and Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions, bacon, and two gourmet cheeses complete this adult twist on grilled cheese. This mouthwatering grilled cheese recipe is perfect to celebrate Father's Day!
Caramelized Onion Dip Recipes
Greek Yogurt Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions
This onion dip with greek yogurt has three full layers of onion flavor incorporating caramelized onions, onion powder and freshly chopped chives. This make-ahead dip is perfect to enjoy at summer parties to holiday events.
Caramelized Red Onion Chutney
Onion chutney is a delicious savory condiment that's great as a sandwich spread, a burger topping, or a charcuterie board addition. Serve it with gourmet crackers and creamy brie cheese to enjoy a tasty combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Easy French Onion Dip
This caramelized onion dip is taken to the next level by adding a touch of white wine to the caramelized onions while cooking. The combination of jammy sweet onions with sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, chives, and a pinch of cayenne makes this dip anything but ordinary.
Hot Cheesy Onion Dip Recipe
This hot appetizer dip features a rich and creamy blend of cream cheese, yogurt, shredded cheese, delicious spices, and sweet caramelized onions. Baked in the oven until gooey and melted, it makes the perfect party dip for game day.
Caramelized Onion Salad Recipes
Green Beans with Almonds and Caramelized Onions
This veggie side dish includes crisp grean beans, slow cooked caramelized onions crunchy almonds and fresh lemon zest. This is one salad even the pickiest of eaters will love.
Farro Salad with Caramelized Onions
This farro salad is served warm and comes with a generous addition of caramelized onions, roasted eggplant, feta cheese and a creamy mustard walnut dressing. Use up any leftover caramelized onions and make this salad for a guilt free meal.
Which Are The Best Onions To Use For Caramelizing Onions?
Onions with a higher sugar content are best for caramelizing because they caramelize more easily, resulting in a sweeter flavor. Here are a few of the most popular choices:
- Yellow Onions: These onions are the most common choice and have a nice balance of sweet flavor. They become wonderfully sweet and jammy when cooked slowly.
- Sweet Onions: Varieties like Vidalia, Walla Walla, and Maui onions are known for their natural sweetness. They caramelize beautifully and are perfect if you like a milder, sweeter batch of caramelized onions.
- Red Onions: Red onions have a stronger flavor and less natural sugar than yellow or sweet onions. However, they can still caramelize nicely and add a beautiful purple color to your dishes.
Tips For Caramelizing Onions
- Use More Onions: When making recipes with caramelized onions, it's best to use more onions than you think. Caramelization will evaporate their moisture, leaving you with a significantly less amount than when you started. It may seem like a lot of onions, but trust me, you will need them! Using a lot will ensure you end up with a rich, golden-brown result.
- Sharp Knife, Less Tears: Slicing an onion releases an acidic gas that can irritate the eyes. The sharper the blade, the less gases are released.
- Use Onion Goggles: If your eyes are sensitive, use these onion goggles to protect them when slicing onions. They may look silly, but I use them whenever I cook recipes with onions in my kitchen!
- Low And Slow Is Key: Caramelized onions are meant to be cooked low and slow. Do not turn up the heat to speed up the process, as they will burn quickly.
- Add Water If Dry: If the pan is a bit dry and the onions take on too much color before they have had time to reduce, add a tablespoon of water to the pan.
Are Caramelized Onions Good For You?
Caramelized onions not only taste amazing, but they're also packed with nutrients that are good for you.
Even when caramelized, onions retain essential nutrients like vitamin C, B vitamins (B6 and B9), and antioxidants like quercetin. These incredible nutrients are great for your immune system, skin, and brain, and they stick around and may even get stronger when you cook onions until they're all sweet and caramelized. So, next time you're caramelizing a batch, remember you're not just cooking up flavor but also stirring up something great for your health!
Now that we've seen how many different ways caramelized onions can enhance dips, condiments, tartlets, and sandwiches. I hope you feel inspired to try out these recipes and experiment with a caramelized onion recipe on your own.
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