How To Caramelize Onions The Correct Way
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A spoonful of caramelized onions is like a culinary magic wand, instantly elevating any dish it touches. Whether on crackers, tapas, or sandwiches, this tasty condiment always adds an exquisite touch to the dishes. Unsurprisingly there are tons of recipes out there promising to teach you how to caramelize onions fast. Very frequently such recipes require you to introduce carbonated soda or sugar into the recipe. Be that as it may, the process to caramelize onions the correct way requires time, around 4 hours to be precise. Furthermore, adding soda or sugar changes the taste, texture and flavor of the onions while the end result lacks caramelization and the flavor depth.
We get it, the prospect of dedicating 4 hours to cooking may make anyone rethink their meal plans? A not so secrete solution lies in making a generous batch and storing it in the fridge or freezer so that you have this kitchen staple at hand whenever you need. The good news, to make this kitchen staple is easy. Additionally, you do not need to be standing by the stove for the entire cooking time. An occasional check and steer is all that it takes!
Onions to use in this recipe
We recommend using regular yellow onions for this recipe. However, if you like a more sweetness in your caramelized onions, you can use sweet yellow onions instead.
Recommended Equipment
- Wide, heavy-bottomed stainless steel pot
- Large wooden spoon
- Stainless Steel mesh strainer
- Heavy-duty stainless steel kitchen tongs
- Stainless steel pairing knife
- Stainless steel canning ladle
- Stainless steel canning funnel
- Mason Jar lids for canning
- Mason Jars for canning
- Non-slippery trivets and pot holders
- Thick cotton kitchen towel
Classic caramelized onions recipe
Equipment
- 1 large pan
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 diffuser under the pan optional
- pot holders, oven mitts, trivets for hot dishes
Ingredients
- 6.5 lb yellow onions 3 kg.
- ½ cup neutral oil sunflower or grapeseed
- ½ tbsp. of salt
Instructions
Preparing the Onions
- Peel the onions and thoroughly wash them. Cut them in half and slice into thin slices.
Caramelizing the Onions
- Place the sliced onions in a large pan and coat them with oil. Stir to ensure the onions are evenly coated.
- Shortcut step: Cover the pan with a lid and bring the oil to a bubble over medium low heat.
- Shortcut step: Let the onions soften over the next 15 minutes. You should see a lot of onion juice as mixed with the condensed water inside the pan. Wait for the onions to become translucent, then reduce the heat to a low simmer and uncover the onions. From this point on, this is low and slow game.
- Steer occasionally, roughly every 30 minutes for the first hour.
- As onions start getting color you would want to steer them more often, about every 20 minutes or so. The onions will transform into a rich, raisin-like hue, and will look like a homogenous brown and jammy looking mixture, a sign that you've achieved the desired caramelization (3 hours without shortcut and 2.5 hours with shortcut).
- For optimal results, and if you do not have a simmer option on your stove, consider using a diffuser under the pan. The goal is to gradually caramelize the onions, allowing them to work their magic.
- Once ready you can store caramelized onions in sterilized jars and topped with a bit of boiling neutral oil, such as grapeseed or sunflower, to prevent oxidation. This will help them to keep fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks. If freezing, make sure to use freezer safe jars with tight fitting lids. While freezing is a viable option for caramelized onions, we are not fans of it as defrosted onions tend to be watery.
Frequently asked questions:
Can caramelized onions be canned?
This caramelized onions recipe is not suitable for canning in boiling water bath because onions prepared this way are not sufficiently acidic to be canned safely. However, this recipe can be canned in a pressure canner.
Additionally, if you are a fan of sweet and savory jams, we also have a recipe of an apple onion jam that is suitable for boiling water bath canner.
Why does this recipe have no sugar added?
Onions naturally contain sugar (around 5% by weight). As you cook onions over low to medium heat, these sugars break down and caramelize, leading to the sweet and rich flavor associated with caramelized onions. Adding extra sugar may lead to overly sweet onions and can alter the balance of flavors in the final dish.
How would you make this dish without a shortcut that you describe in your recipe?
As you begin caramelizing onions over medium heat, you’ll observe a significant release of water in the process. Covering the onions with a lid at the start of the cooking process will speed up their transformation, turning them translucent and soft more quickly. If you omit this step, the released water will evaporate faster, requiring a longer time for the onions to soften.
Are caramelized onions sweet?
Caramelized onions are known for their sweet flavor. When onions are caramelized, the natural sugars present in the onions undergo caramelization. This process causes the sugars to break down and turn into compounds that contribute to a sweet taste. The longer and slower the caramelization process, the sweeter the onions will become.
Are caramelized onions keto?
Onions naturally contain sugars, and the caramelization process concentrates those sugars. While the amount of caramelized onions you consume in a serving might be small, it still contributes to the overall carbohydrate count.
If you’re following a strict ketogenic diet that emphasizes low carbohydrate intake, you’ll want to be mindful of your onion consumption.
Can I freeze caramelized onions in a plastic bag?
We are not fans of freezing caramelized onion in general. We are even more against freezing onions in plastic bags. Due to the risk of plastic packaging leaking harmful elements into fatty foods, we recommend against using plastic for storing caramelized onions. Plastic leaking can occur due to various factors, such as the type of plastic used, the temperature of the food, the duration of contact, and the presence of acidic or fatty substances in the food.
How long do these caramelized onions keep?
If storing caramelized onion in the fridge, make sure you consume them with a maximum of three weeks. Alternatively, freeze them for up to two years. If you choose to freeze your caramelized onions, we recommend reheating them on a low simmer before putting them on a table or using them in your dishes.
Where to use caramelized onions:
- Use it in your decadent burger
- Make puff pasty tart with brie and caramelized onions
- Spread it over a baguette or layer it atop semi-soft cheese for a delicious treat
- Make French onion soup with it
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