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    Home » Griddle

    Caramelized Onions

    Published: Aug 15, 2023 by The Kitchen Bucket List

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Check out how we used our flat top griddle to make easy Caramelized Onions. You combine oil and salt with the onions to get a sweet caramel flavor that makes you forget all those onion tears.

    Check out how we used our flat top griddle to make the tastiest Caramelized Onions in no time. Combining the onions with salt and oil you get a sweet caramel flavor to make you forget all those onion tears. this recipe
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Caramelizing Onions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage / Leftover / Rewarm
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Caramelized Onions

    This post may contain affiliate links, please read the disclaimer policy.

    When you slowly caramelize the onions the sweetness from the sugars comes through. I always thought it was the craziest thing how caramelizing onions completely changes the taste of the raw onion. All it needs is a bit of time, some oil, and a little pinch of salt.

    Ingredients

    Check out how we used our flat top griddle to make the tastiest Caramelized Onions in no time. Combining the onions with salt and oil you get a sweet caramel flavor to make you forget all those onion tears.

    We used one yellow onion, salt, and olive oil. So easy to do.

    Head down to the bottom of the post to see the exact measurements.

    Caramelizing Onions

    I have found that low heat is key to the caramelization of the onions. It allows the onion slices to sweat. Once they get translucent, it is time to start flipping.

    I have found it helps the caramelization to oil and salt the onions before putting them on the griddle.

    1. Prep Time – Peel the onion and slice to your desired thickness, I did about ⅛th of an inch. Place in a bowl and add the oil and mix, then add the salt and coat the onion slices.

    2. Caramelizing Onions – Patience is key here and using low heat to sweat the onions. Once you see the color change start flipping every 1 – 2 minutes until you reach your preferred level of caramelization.

    The flat-top grill is great to have the caramelized onions wait while you do the rest of the meal. You can put them to the side with no heat on to keep them warm.

    3. Wait or Serve – The flat top grill is great to have the caramelized onions wait while you do the rest of the meal. You can simply put them to the side with no heat on to keep them warm.
    Or lucky you, serve and enjoy!

    The recipe card has more detailed instructions and quantities.

    Sprinkle is excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. She has traveled for years and enjoyed food everywhere from Hawaii to Italy. Now she is the muse for The Kitchen Bucket List helping us developed and create our favorite dishes to bring to all of you.

    I have found that low heat is key to the caramelization of the onions. It allows the onion slices to sweat. Once they get translucent, it is time to start flipping.

    Substitutions

    Substituting the yellow onion can be done with red onion, white onion, or sweet onion.

    Variations

    Onions are so versatile, so you can highlight their sweetness from earthy to spicy.

    • Earthy taste– Thyme is a great candidate.
    • Classic spices – Sometimes it is great to use just salt, pepper, and garlic with a bit of butter.
    • Sweet and spicy – You can have some fun with this. For just a little zing, add a pinch of crushed red pepper and you can build the heat from there.

    Equipment

    Your patience, a cutting board, a good knife, a flat top griddle or pan, and griddle spatulas.

    Caramelizing Onions - Patience is key here and using low heat to sweat the onions. Once you see the color change start flipping every 1 - 2 minutes until you reach your preferred level of caramelization.

    Storage / Leftover / Rewarm

    • Storage: You can keep them in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
    • Leftovers: Make some extras for the next day or to bring some magic to a Wednesday dinner.
      Put some on a frozen pizza towards the end of its cook, for a tasty addition.
    • Rewarm: It is so easy. You may need a bit of oil or butter when you warm them up on the griddle or in the skillet. Mix them on medium-low heat for a few minutes until hot again.

    FAQ

    Can I skip the salt?

    Yes. It may however take a bit longer to sweat than caramelize the onions.

    What goes great with the caramelized onions?

    Adding them with mushrooms on a burger, that’s my favorite. I enjoy them on my pizza or focaccia, just put them on at the end of the cook. Of course, steak too.

    What is better butter or oil?

    I enjoy using both. I prefer to use olive oil, normally. When I use butter, it is to bring more sweetness and creaminess.

    Related

    Looking for other tasty side dishes? Try these:

    • Seasoned air fryer gnocchi coming out of the air fryer in the basket with a beautiful golden color.
      Air fryer gnocchi
    • Smashed Baby Dutch Yellow potatoes with Colby Jack cheese melting while they crisp up.
      Smashed potatoes with cheese
    • Overhead shot of the French onion baked potatoes. The melted Gruyere cheese has crisped on the side of the potatoes sitting in the air fryer basket.
      French onion baked potatoes
    • Serving scalloped potatoes from the air fryer with a spoon. The side dish has a cheesy-crunchy crust.
      Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes with a twist

    Pairing

    Here are some dishes you can add the caramelized onions too:

    • The finishing touch to the reverse sear, searing the bone in ribeye steak over a bed of burning natural charcoal.
      Bone in ribeye steak, reverse sear
    • Searing a smoked ribeye with the smokers flame broiler. This recipe can be done on a charcoal BBQ too.
      Smoked ribeyes with BBQ spice rub
    • Choose your favorite smoking wood to have smoked sausage done in a few hours. You can easily make smoked bratwurst and smoked Italian sausage at the same time. Eight sausages smoked on the smoker's grill grate.
      Smoked sausage
    • Sliced smoked meatloaf with BBQ sauce that has caramelized to form a crust. It is moist and tender.
      Smoked meatloaf recipe for the BBQ or smoker
    Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

    What is your favorite onion to caramelize and what do you pair it with?
    Let us know in the comments, below.

    Check out how we used our flat top griddle to make the tastiest Caramelized Onions in no time. Combining the onions with salt and oil you get a sweet caramel flavor to make you forget all those onion tears.

    Caramelized Onions

    The Kitchen Bucket List
    Only a bit of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and patience to have sweet caramelized onions. Such a tasty addition to any meal.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 Servings

    Equipment

    • Griddle
    • Knife
    • Cutting board
    • 2 Griddle Spatulas
    • BBQ tongs
    • Griddle scraper (Optional)

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz. yellow onion (1 medium onion)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    Prep Time

    • Preheat the griddle on low for 5 minutes.
    • Peel the yellow onion and cut it in half. Then cut the halves into ⅛th inch slices or your preferred thickness.
    • Place the onion slices in a bowl, add the oil then mix. Now, add the salt to coat the yellow onion slices.

    Caramelizing Onions

    • I use just one side of our 36-inch griddle. You can turn the other burners off. It is perfect for keeping the caramelized onions warm for later. Just place the sliced yellow onion on the griddle.
    • I like to sweat the onion slices for about 3 – 5 minutes. You may need to mix them a bit.
    • Once the onion slices start to become translucent, it is time to start mixing them about every 1 – 2 minutes.
      NOTE: Move your bigger pieces to the hot area of the griddle to caramelize more evenly.
    • About 10 minutes in, you should have the beginning of a nice caramelization. Make sure to keep an eye on them and mix them as needed. It took another 5 minutes to get to our preferred level of caramelization.
      NOTE: If you are adding them to another dish move them over to the burner-off side, once the caramelization starts. This will allow them to finish caramelizing slower while you finish the main course.

    Serve

    • These caramelized onions are perfectly savory and sweet all by themself. Just place them in a bowl to serve and enjoy.
    • Now make that grilled chicken, burger, or maybe a steak to put them on. Just keep an eye on the onions as they slowly finish over on the side.
    • Once your main dish is done simply add the caramelized onions onto it and maybe a few on the side too. Enjoy!
    Keyword Caramelized, Caramelized Onions, Griddle, Olive Oil, Onions

    HAPPY GRIDDLING!!!

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    I'm Karina,

    After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for BBQ. The Kitchen Bucket List was created.
    I hope you enjoy these Simple, Easy, and Tasty Recipes with your friends and family.

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    Modern footer. Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List's Recipes & About footer. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

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