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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

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    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:

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    • Done on the outdoor griddle, Caramelized Mushrooms, are so easy to do. We add a pinch of garlic and some olive oil which gives a wonderful buttery and savory taste to the mushrooms. We love how you can get everything done on the outdoor griddle. When you kick off with these caramelized mushrooms it is going to be a special meal. They caramelize up in 12 minutes. You can simply move them over to the side while you prepare burgers, chicken, or eggs.
      Caramelized Mushrooms
    • I love it when we have a tasty and easy recipe to share like Smoked Baked Potatoes. These potatoes come out fluffy and buttery with the classic smoke flavor of mesquite. The cooking time is not much different than the oven, and it lets you use it for something else. Mark this recipe because when you want a baked potato, you are going to want to do them on the BBQ or smoker. Just look at how tender, fluffy, and buttery these smoked baked potatoes are. The best for me is the skin. I usually don’t eat the skin. Until we started smoking them. The skin is perfectly crispy like a chip or a crispy potato skin.
      Smoked Baked Potatoes

    Pairing

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

    • Bringing Crispy, Tender, and Smoked Chicken Wings home tonight. And it's right from your BBQ or smoker. These wings are simple and easy. One bite will have you making this recipe again and again.
      Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings
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    • Smoked sausage is tender on the inside, and slightly crisp on the outside. Pick your favorite or favorites and use the smoking wood of your choice. You are going to wish you had done these sooner.
      Smoked Sausage
    • Cooked low and slow with sweet pecan wood, these Smoked Meatballs are our favorite BBQ flavor bombs this summer. The cheese brings a whole new level of flavor and texture.
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    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
    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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    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.
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