A delicious sweet and savory topping or side dish (whatever you choose) that is always tasty: caramelized onions. Delicious on a hamburger, with a hot dog, on a pizza, or with cheese.

The onions are slowly caramelized until golden brown and soft. Then they are flavored. You must have this recipe in your basic repertoire because you can use it often!

A photo from above of a pink bowl of caramelized onions garnished with fresh thyme on a white surface. At the bottom right a golden spoon.

The Ultimate Guide to a Homemade Delicacy: Caramelized Onions

I have a guilty pleasure for caramelized onions. You make me so happy with that. Delicious on a good hamburger or hot dog, but you know you can also use it as a pizza topping? Or as a side dish with a cheese board.

It is a very easy recipe, and the most challenging part is cutting the onions. Then keep it dry. I've tried everything, running water, extractor hood on, all windows open. If anyone has any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Still, this doesn't stop me from making this at least once a week. That says enough about how delicious this is. So, make this delicious side dish / topping yourself and enjoy!

What do you need for Caramelized Onions?

To prepare these Caramelized onions, you require the following ingredients. You can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog:

Ingredients How to Caramelize Onions, individually labeled on a white background

Butter: Fry the onions in the butter. This caramelizes them and makes them nice and creamy.
Onions: I usually use yellow onions. But you can use any kind. A shallot ensures that the onion sauce becomes a bit sharper. A red onion softens it up a bit.
Brown sugar: The molasses in this sugar gives you a delicious caramel flavor.
Honey: Combined with the natural sugars of the onions and the brown sugar, really irresistible. The three different sweets give an incredible depth.
Red wine vinegar: For making a sweet-sour caramel. Otherwise, the sweetness will dominate too much.
Thyme: Use fresh or dried thyme to give a wonderful warm aroma.

How to prepare Perfect Caramelized Onions

You can find a printable recipe with a step-by-step description at the bottom of this blog.

4 collage photo preparation how to caramelize onions

Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add the chopped onions and sprigs of thyme and cook until the onions are lightly browned and soft. About 10 minutes on low heat. Stir occasionally.
Season with salt and pepper, and add the sugar. Fry until the onions turn brown.
Pour in the honey.
And now also add the vinegar to extinguish everything. Now let it come to a boil, and then lower the heat. Simmer until the sauce has thickened.

Delicious served with whole chicken with potatoes and rosemary, hot dog deluxe, and perfectly baked sirloin steak from the Air fryer. Garnish with some fresh thyme leaves.

Tips, Substitutions, and Variations

Replace the red wine vinegar with balsamic glaze.
Herbs: Give some extra flavor. Try with rosemary or oregano.
Tip: Heat a Camembert cheese in the oven until the inside is melted, and serve with the caramelized onions. Or cut a baguette into slices, smear it with goat cheese, and spread some caramelized onions on top.

A white background with a pink dish filled with deliciously caramelized onions. In the background a pink and white tea towel and three onions.

Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!

📖 Recipe

A square photo with a pink bowl filled with caramelized onion sauce. A spoon scoops some out. A white background

How to Caramelize Onions

A delicious sweet and savory topping or side dish (whatever you choose) that is always tasty: caramelized onions. Delicious on a hamburger, with a hot dog, on a pizza, or with cheese. The onions are slowly caramelized until golden brown and soft. Then they are flavored. You must have this recipe in your basic repertoire because you can use it often!

5 of 1 vote

Printen Pin Recept

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

Course: Basic Recipes, Sauces and condiments, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Andréa

Servings: 1 portion

Author: Andréa

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter unsalted
3 onions chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
½ tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Metric - US Customary

Ingredients you need per step are listed below the step in Italic

Instructions

Melt the butter in a frying pan
2 tablespoons butter
Place the onions and thyme sprigs in a skillet and cook over low heat, about 10 minutes, until lightly browned and softened.
3 onions, 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Add salt, pepper, and sugar and mix well. Let the sugar melt, and lightly brown the onions.
¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Now add the honey and vinegar.
½ tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Bring to the boil and simmer until the onions and sauce are well thickened.

Notes

1. Onions: Yellow onions (the 'normal' onions) from the store are suitable. But you can use any kind. A shallot ensures that the onion sauce becomes a bit sharper. A red onion softens it up a bit.

2. Substitutions: red wine vinegar with balsamic glaze or vinegar.

3. Herbs: Gives the caramelized onions extra flavor. Try with rosemary or oregano.

4. Serving tip: Heat a Camembert in the oven until the inside has melted, and serve with the caramelized onions. Or cut a baguette into slices, top with goat cheese and caramelized onions.

5. Storage
Let the caramelized onions cool quickly.

Refrigerator: Store in a clean jar, covered. This keeps them good for up to five days.
Freezer: Place the caramelized onions in a freezer bag or box. This way, you can store them for up to 2 months. Then, let it thaw in the refrigerator.