Here are a few of my favorite ways for using caramelized onions to give color, flavor and depth to all sorts of recipes.
One of my favorite ways to cook onions is to caramelize them to release a lovely sweet flavor and brown color. It takes time but is so worth the effort. Now that you have a pile of these tasty morsels, what do you do with them? 
Just about any dish tastes better with caramelized onions in it, but some really move to the top of the line when it comes to flavor and appeal.
These sweet, creamy and beautifully brown onions are the result of time in the kitchen spent stirring them over a medium heat to coax out the flavor.
They can’t be rushed and are pay dividends in the taste department for your efforts. These ideas for using them will make that time spent so worth while!
How to use Caramelized onions
Once you have the onions perfectly caramelized, you can use them in many ways. Here are a fewcooking tips to give you some ideas.
Philly Cheese steaks
Load up a hoagie roll with layers of roast beef, add the caramelized onions. some cheese and cooked peppers, and heat until the cheese melts for the ultimate Philly Cheese steak sandwich.
In Fajitas
Instead of caramelizing just the onions, add in some sweet peppers to give a colorful and super tasty topping for your Mexican fajitas.
Steak Toppings
It’s grilling time! BBQ your favorite steak to perfection and top it with a knob of herb seasoned butter and some caramelized onions.
Your family will love it and want you to make steak this way every time.
In your Favorite Recipes
Using caramelized onions in my main course recipes is my favorite way to get the most out of them.. These tender, sugar sweet onions that still have a savory taste will turn any recipe into a gourmet meal.
This recipe for Mexican chori pollo has layers of cooked chicken, topped with chorizo sausage and an extra layer of the sweet onions. It’s baked to perfection and makes a fabulous meal that is gluten free and low carb.
On your Best Burgers
There is nothing like a thick and juicy burger piled high with your favorite burger toppings and then loaded with onions that have been caramelized. The only problem will be how on earth to eat this beauty.
In gourmet sandwiches
Gourmet sandwiches often have a lovely crusty bread, and fillings that are on the more esoteric side. Why not add a layer of caramelized onions to make your sandwich a trendy café style lunch?
Toppings for a pizza
Many pizzas have onions on them for toppings, but even after cooking they can have a tart taste.
Caramelize the onions almost to the browned stage first and then add them to your pizza and cook for a pizza that will be off the charts in flavor and taste.
Appetizer Toppings
Cook your onions ahead of time so that you have them to use later. They keep well in the fridge.
Just before the party, lay out your favorite crackers and top them with a piece of sharp cheddar cheese, add a pecan, a few caramelized onions and some fresh thyme and a sprinkle of feta cheese and you will have a tasty appetizer in just minutes.
French Onion Soup
Fill a bowl of creamy, hot onion soup just brimming with caramelized onions and top it with cheese for a match made in home made soup heaven. There is nothing quite like the sweetness of a French onion soup! It’s one of my favorites.
In Omelettes
Caramelized onions give a ton of flavor to any omelette recipe. This caramelized onion and mushroom omelette recipe is amazing!
In Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
Melting cheese between two pieces of bread is yummy enough, but adding caramelized onions adds a whole new level of flavor.
This caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwich from Dukes and duch*esses shows just how tasty a grilled cheese can be!
Recipe ideas for using caramelized onions.
The options are limitless, really. Any place you can use cooked onions, you can also use caramelized onions. Here a few more suggestions:
What ways do you have for using caramelized onions? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
FAQs
Caramelized onions work beautifully when piled on patty melts, cheesesteaks, sausage heros, or even just a piece of crispy bread with goat cheese. They work well on cold cuts too. Ham, mayo, and caramelized onions on some country bread?
What is the secret to caramelize onions? ›
As soon as the onions start sticking to the pan, let them stick a little and brown, but then stir them before they burn. The trick is to leave them alone enough to brown (if you stir them too often, they won't brown), but not so long so that they burn.
What happens when you caramelize onions? ›
When onions caramelize, one of the main things that happens is the sucrose, or natural sugar hidden within their cells, is transformed into other, simpler forms of sugar, including glucose and fructose. Those sugars taste sweeter than sucrose, which accounts for the increase in sweetness as the onions caramelize.
Can you put too much butter in caramelized onions? ›
You definitely want the flavor of butter in your onions—but butter has the tendency to burn. For insurance, use a combination of butter and oil, which has a higher smoking point. But how much do you use? Depending on the consistency you want your onions, you can use more or less fat.
Do onions caramelize better with butter or oil? ›
Our Test Kitchen likes to use butter when caramelizing onions, as it offers the richest flavor. If you avoid dairy or don't have butter, you can caramelize onions in other fat such as margarine or olive oil. Add the onion slices. It's okay if they overlap a bit here because they'll shrink as they cook down.
What flavors pair well with caramelized onions? ›
Caramelized onions add a subtle sweetness that pairs well with ingredients like beef and pasta. Whether you use them in a soup or a side dish, the onions create a depth of flavor.
What kind of onion is best for caramelized onions? ›
You can caramelize any kind of onion, but yellow or Spanish onions tend to offer the most balanced-sweet-savory flavor profile and are the most versatile for different dishes. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla work too, but keep in mind that their flavor will become even sweeter once caramelized.
What pan is best for caramelized onions? ›
I love non-stick pans for making pancakes and eggs, but they're not the best pick for caramelized onions. Instead, I recommend using a cast-iron skillet. As the onions cook, a delicious fond will develop on the bottom of the pan. If you scrape it up and stir it into the onions, it will make their flavor even richer.
Why add baking soda to caramelize onions? ›
When you add baking soda during cooking it changes the pH which increases the Maillard reaction causing the onions to brown more quickly. The higher pH also causes the onions to soften more quickly, which we cover below when we discuss the texture.
Should you stir caramelized onions? ›
For even cooking, and to prevent burning, it's essential to check and stir the onions every five to 10 minutes. And if you don't feel like you're quite up to the task, you can also try making caramelized onions in the slow cooker.
Nutritional benefits
Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and reduce cholesterol levels — all of which may lower heart disease risk.
Should you add sugar to caramelized onions? ›
If you need to caramelize onions quickly, adding sugar or a pinch of baking soda (to raise the pH level and help them brown quicker) can help to speed up the caramelization process but truly they aren't a dish that cooks up quickly. If using baking soda I'd suggest about 1/4 tsp per pound of raw onions.
Why add vinegar to caramelize onions? ›
Tip: the vinegar serves to deglaze the pan, adds acidity, and brings this recipe together by boosting the tangy and savory flavors of the caramelized onions. If the onions stick to the pan, that's fine.
Should I drain water when caramelizing onions? ›
Like I mentioned above, we want to get rid of all the water in the onions to allow for browning to take place. But once the onions do start to brown, water can be your best friend! Adding water periodically into the pan while caramelizing your onions will prevent burning.
What is the difference between caramelized and sauteed onions? ›
Sautéing is about softening and lightly flavoring the onions, while caramelizing is about developing a rich, sweet complexity. Unfortunately, you can't swap one out for the other without changing the flavor profile of your dish.
How long do caramelized onions last? ›
If you don't manage to eat all of your caramelized onions, you can store them easily. They'll keep in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Caramelized onions are so versatile that we're sure you can find lots of excuses to use them during that time.
What is the difference between caramelized onions and sauteed onions? ›
Sautéing vs caramelizing
Sautéing is about softening and lightly flavoring the onions, while caramelizing is about developing a rich, sweet complexity. Unfortunately, you can't swap one out for the other without changing the flavor profile of your dish.
Can caramelized onions be healthy? ›
Caramelized onions can add flavor and nutrition to a variety of dishes, such as soups, stews, sandwiches, and omelets. It's also important to remember that it's okay to enjoy caramelized onions in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Why do people like caramelized onions? ›
But compared to most vegetables, onions are naturally sweet. The caramelization process takes advantage of those natural sugars to create intense and unforgettable flavors. These onions can then be used in a recipe in a variety of ways – always providing a complex sweet, savory, rich base for your dish.
