My fast caramelized onions recipe pairs regular brown onions with brown sugar, unlocking the secret to the best way to caramelize onions in a hurry!
My Caramelized Onions Recipe
Every cook needs to have their own recipe for caramelized onions, or so my grandmother used to say.
It went in her repertoire of womanly must haves, along with the best flaky butter dough recipe, the best sour cream cake frosting recipe, and the best blintzes recipe.
Needless to say, she has never written any of these recipes down - to her, they are as natural and ubiquitous as your preferred skincare routine, or your favorite news broadcast (clearly, my grandmother was a lady of many opinions).
So it took me some trial and error, and many pans of burnt onions, to achieve my cheat for the best way to caramelize onions, especially when you are in a hurry.
What are caramelized onions?
Caramelized onions are onions that have been sliced and cooked until they are browned and have taken on caramel-like notes. They are deep-flavored, a mix of savory and sweet from the natural sugar of the onions cooking down.
Caramelised onions are a powerhouse ingredient that can add a ton of flavor to your dishes, with just a single easy step. And I’m proud to say that I’ve come up with the best way to caramelize onions - fast!
My friends, the secret to how to make caramelized onions is with brown sugar.
Caramelized Onions with Brown Sugar
Caramelization occurs through a slow cooking process, when the natural sugars in foods - in this case, onions - oxidize and take on a rich brown color and nutty, caramel notes.
If you have loads of time, then taking the time to slowly cook onions on low heat is the best way to caramelise onions.
But if you are a regular human with commitments, work and sometimes kids, or just someone who’d rather binge Chef’s Table on Netflix rather than standing in the kitchen for hours, then you NEED to know the perfect SHORTCUT for how to make caramelized onions.
Because you see, when you add sugar to onions, it amplifies the caramelizing action in the pan, adding up to the naturally extracting sugars in the onions and expediting the caramelization process.
The result is that you end up with perfect caramelized onions, in a fraction of time. (For comparison’s sake, regular caramelized onions take about 45 minutes to make; my quick caramelized onions take about 20 minutes).
Why use brown sugar with caramelised onions?
Brown sugar is simply cane sugar with molasses added to it. Therefore, you are adding even MORE sugar, and more brown color, to your onions. Thus the caramelization is so much better and faster!
If you don’t have brown sugar, feel free to use regular cane sugar when caramelising onions.
Why This is My Favorite Way to Caramelise Onions
Over the years, I have tried many ways to caramelize onions, and this has become my go-to recipe for caramelized onions. Give this method a try because it’s:
- FAST - this caramelized onions recipe takes 20 minutes instead of 45.
- Easy to make
- 3 basic ingredients
- Vegan, Gluten-free
- Freezer-friendly - once cooked, caramelized onions can be frozen and used any time you want to add a boost of flavor to your dishes
Ingredients for Fast Caramelized Onions with Brown Sugar
As you can imagine from the name, you only need 3 things to make this caramelised onions recipe. They are:
- Brown onions - use regular brown onions in this recipe. You can also use red onions for caramelised red onions, or vidalia onions for extra sweet caramelized onions.
- Brown sugar - for the best and fastest caramelization, use brown sugar. You can also use white cane sugar if that’s all you have on hand.
- Butter and / or oil - For the richest flavor in caramelized onions, use unsalted butter. Because we are cooking these on relatively low heat, the butter solids won’t burn but will instead develop a deep flavor. If you are vegan, use a butter replacement. But if all you have on hand is oil, my preference is for a neutral-tasting oil. I do not recommend using olive oil.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Equipment
- Oven
- Cast Iron Pan or Non-stick pan
How to make caramelized onions
Slice the onions:
Cut onions in half. Slice each onion half lengthwise into ¼-inch half-moons.
Melt the butter
Set a pan with a thick bottom to medium heat. Add butter (or oil), and melt fully.
Saute onions
Add the onions to the pan (if you have more onions that can easily fit in one pan, add them in batches, waiting until onions become translucent before adding the next batch). Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until the onions change color, about 5-10 minutes.
Add brown sugar:
Lower the heat to medium-low and add the brown sugar. Cook, stirring the pan often to prevent burning, until the onions fully caramelize and become golden brown, for about 15 minutes.
To make extra-browned caramelized onions
For extra brown caramelized onions, cook the onions for an additional 10 minutes. They will be extra sweet, but this will also produce the smallest amount of caramelized onions as they continue shrinking while they cook.
Top Tips for making Caramelized Onions Like a Pro
- Make a LOT of caramelized onions - my recipe is for 2 onions, which will produce about 1 cup of caramelized onions. I honestly recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe!
- Use the right pan - a cast iron pan is best for making caramelized onions. Otherwise, use a non-stick pan or a heavy-bottomed Dutch Oven to cook your onions.
- Freeze leftover caramelized onions - I like to freeze my caramelized onions in small batches, and use them to add a burst of flavor to various recipes. See the FAQ section for my how to freeze caramelized onions.
Variations
Caramelised red onion
To make caramelised red onions, just use red onions in place of brown onions.
Caramelized onions with balsamic vinegar
You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar at the last 5 minutes for a tangy flavor that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of caramelized onions.
Products
It’s important to use a good pan when caramelizing onions.
My preference is for a cast-iron pan.
If you don’t have a cast-iron pan, I recently discovered this OXO nonstick pan, and I LOVE it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Caramelizing Onions In a Hurry
Once cooked, caramelized onions will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for 4-5 days. However, my preference when I need to make caramelized onions is to make a big batch, and freeze the rest!
Absolutely! See the next question for my recommended way to freeze caramelised onions.
To freeze caramelized onions, my favorite method is to arrange them on a parchment-covered baking sheet in clumps of about ½ cup. Then, transfer the baking sheet to the freezer. Once it’s been fully frozen, remove each clump of caramelized onions and store it in a separate ziplock bag.
You can also freeze caramelized onions in ice cube trays for very small amounts - this is perfect for grilled cheese and eggs!
Either way, a small batch of caramelized onions is ready for the next time you want to add an oomph of flavor to your dishes!
To avoid burning your onions, make sure you stir them often - and don’t raise the cooking temperature above medium heat.
When making a big batch of caramelized onions, I like to use a food processor with a slicing attachment!
If making a small batch, you can use a chef’s knife or a mandolin (vegetable slicer) for cutting the onions.
What to serve with caramelized onions?
Caramelized onions pair well with cheese, eggs and all manner of dough.
But honestly, you can use caramelized onions EVERYWHERE you’d like to add a boost of flavor!
I like to use caramelized onions in:
- Rice bowls
- Veggie Burgers
- Frittatas or omelets
- Galettes and quiches
- Grilled cheese sandwiches
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Soups - the classic is of course making French Onion Soup, but you can also use caramelized soup in my cauliflower soup recipe.
Caramelized Onion recipes:
You can use my quick caramelised onions in the following recipes:
- How to Make Authentic Middle Eastern Mujadara, a Vegan Medley of Rice, Lentils and Crispy Caramelized Onions {GF, V}
- Buckwheat kasha with caramelized mushrooms and onions
- Middle Eastern spiced cauliflower soup with caramelized onions and raisins {V, GF, Paleo}
- Mujadara for one in the Corningware Meal Mug, or how to save your work lunch {V, GF}
Pin for Later!
How did you use this Caramelized Onions Recipe? Tag me on social media (@immigrantstable), and please leave a comment and a star rating below!
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
Fast Caramelized Onions Recipe
Equipment
- Chef's Knife or Food Processor or Vegetable Slicer
Ingredients
- 4 medium or large yellow onions you can also use red onions or vidalia onions
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoons brown sugar
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cut onions in half. Slice each onion half lengthwise into ¼-inch half-moons.
- Set a cast iron or nonstick pan with a thick bottom to medium heat. Add butter (or oil), and melt fully.
- Add the onions to the pan (if you have more onions that can easily fit in one pan, add them in batches, waiting until onions become translucent before adding the next batch). Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until the onions change color, about 5-10 minutes.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and add the brown sugar. Cook, stirring the pan often to prevent burning, until the onions fully caramelize and become golden brown, for about 15 minutes.
- For extra brown caramelized onions, cook the onions for an additional 10 minutes. They will be extra sweet, but this will also produce the smallest amount of caramelized onions as they continue shrinking while they cook.
Elizabeth Swoish says
I typically use Worcestershire sauce but I will FOREVER use brown sugar now. So delicious and great on my steak tonight!
kseniaprints says
I like the Wuster sauce idea! I'll give that a try next time, too
Donna says
I love how quick these were! The onions I usually make have be standing by the stovetop for ages, so this was a welcome change!
kseniaprints says
That's what prompted me to find this method - I got tired of waiting for hours for this brown gold to happen.
Mandy Applegate says
I don't always have the time to spend ages cooking, so these onions were a real joy to make as they are so quick!
kseniaprints says
I'm so glad! I was trying to help people like me who don't want to spend ages cooking, either (unless it's for a fancy layer cake. Those are totally worth it).
Jenn says
Love this hack! The onions were so good - I'll never make them any other way!
kseniaprints says
Yay!
Sherry says
Your caramelized onion recipe was perfect for smashed burgers. Thank you for your recipe!
Alex Bala says
I've never put brown sugar in onions when caramelizing, but I love this addition. Such a great recipe.