Homemade Caramelized Onions for Pizza and Burgers

Discover the rich, savory magic of homemade caramelized onions, perfect for elevating any dish. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can transform ordinary onions into a sweet and flavorful delight. Get ready to unlock a world of culinary possibilities with this versatile, mouth-watering ingredient.

Hey there, foodies and flavor enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tickle your taste buds and transport you to a world of rich, luscious flavors.

Today, we’re diving headfirst into the realm of homemade caramelized onions—a recipe that will make your kitchen smell like pure bliss and your heart sing with joy.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Caramelized onions? Is this really a big deal?” Well, my dear friends, let me tell you, these humble onions are no ordinary ingredient. They have the power to transform your dishes from “meh” to magnificent, from “just okay” to “wow, I can’t believe I made this!”

Picture this: plump, juicy onions sautéed to perfection, their natural sugars unlocking a symphony of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors. These caramelized wonders add depth, complexity, and a touch of magic to a myriad of dishes.

From rustic sandwiches to elegant tarts, from comforting stews to show-stopping salads, caramelized onions are the secret ingredient that will elevate your culinary creations to new heights.

Now, let’s talk about the alchemical process that turns ordinary onions into sweet caramelized miracles.

All you need are a few simple pantry staples: onions (of course!), a pinch of salt to bring out their natural flavors, a sprinkle of sugar to coax out their sweetness, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a delightful tang, and a glug of olive oil to work its wonders.

These everyday ingredients come together in perfect harmony, transforming into a symphony of flavors that will have you doing a happy dance in your kitchen.

But here’s the best part: creating these heavenly caramelized onions is easier than you might think. With a little patience and a touch of kitchen magic, you’ll master the art of coaxing out the onions’ sweet essence.

As the onions dance in the pan, slowly caramelizing and releasing their aromatic fragrance, you’ll feel like a culinary maestro, conducting a symphony of tastes and textures.

I’ll guide you through the process step by step, revealing all the tips, tricks, and secrets that will make your onions sing. Get your apron on, sharpen those knives, and let’s embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

Are you ready to unlock the magic of caramelized onions? Let’s dive right in!

Quick Tip: When you will start to caramelize the onions, close the door to the kitchen because these caramelized onions have a very strong smell that will fill your entire house.

How to Cut Onions Without Shedding Tears?

Avoiding tears at all is probably not possible, but I’ll share with you some ideas I’ve heard from others about how you can reduce the effect.

• Leave the onions for a while in the water. Water will absorb the gas eliminated by the onions, and you can avoid the tears.
• Wear a pair of glasses. They will cover your eyes and do not let the volatile particles from the onions come directly into your eyes.
• Don’t use any fans while cutting the onions. A big mistake that many of us are making is that we are turning on the fans to ventilate the kitchen. In reality, the air is in constant circulation, which will lead to the spread of gas and increase the burning sensation in our eyes.
• Refrigerate the onion before cutting. By refrigerating, you freeze the enzymes from the onions and the sulphuric acid will not be formed when you will chop the onions.
• Light a candle or a lamp near the chopping board. Because of that, the gas that is emitted from the sliced onions will get drawn toward the flare of the burning fire.
• Another essential thing: Use a sharp knife. Otherwise, you will press on the onions, which will cause the destruction of more cells and the elimination of more volatile substances in the air that will cause us tears.

Quick Tip: How to clean the onions easier? Put the onion for a few minutes in a bowl with water. This will make the peel soften a little bit, and they will peel much easier.

What Ingredients Do You Need to Caramelize the Onions?

• Onions. Obviously. For this recipe, I used yellow onions because I have them in the house. But, if you want to reduce the quantity of added sugar in that recipe, you can replace the yellow onions with the red ones. They are sweeter, and you can add less sugar. Also, you can try using shallots, leeks, or even thinly sliced fennel bulbs. Each will bring its unique flavor profile to the dish, adding a twist to your caramelized creation.
• Salt. Salt enhances the natural flavors of the onions, but if you’re watching your sodium intake or prefer alternatives, you can try using low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for a savory touch. Another option is using a small amount of miso paste dissolved in water to bring that umami goodness to the caramelization process.
• Sugar. The addition of sugar helps in caramelizing the onions and adding a touch of sweetness. However, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or even a bit of honey. Just remember that the flavors may vary slightly, so adjust accordingly to your taste.
• Balsamic Vinegar. Balsamic vinegar contributes a tangy note to the caramelized onions. If you don’t have any on hand or prefer a different taste, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even a splash of lemon juice for a bright and citrusy twist.
• Olive oil. Olive oil adds richness and depth to the caramelization process. If you’re out of olive oil or prefer a different oil, you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or even melted butter for a touch of decadence. Each will impart its unique flavor, so choose based on your personal preference.

Let’s get started!

How to Caramelize the Onions?

Choose four medium onions, peel them, and if you tear your eyes, as I said earlier, put them into a bowl with water for 10 minutes. This will help you to minimize the tears.

Slice the onions into pieces ⅛″ thick. Or, if you want, you can cut the onions into small cubes. As a result, you will get a texture that will be more like a jam.

Take a non-stick pan and pour the extra virgin olive oil.

Quick note: It’s important to use a cold pan because if you use a preheated one, the onions will start to fry but not caramelize. Our main goal here is to warm gradually the onions, which will allow us to extract the natural sugar from the onions.

Put the onions into the pan, add the salt and pepper. By adding the salt and pepper from the beginning, we will help the onions to eliminate quicker the juice.

Cover with a lid and let it cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes. The onions should start to become succulent.

Take off the lid of the pan, and when all the juices evaporate, the caramelization process will begin. Don’t forget to mix the onions periodically to avoid burning the onions.

Add the balsamic vinegar and mix the onions well.

Add the sugar, and caramelize the onions for a few minutes to get an easy taste of fried onion, but do not exaggerate. We need caramelized onions instead of burned onions.

Put the caramelized onions into a bowl and cover them with a towel or a plate. Let the onions to cool down.

Here is the result that I got:

Now you can enjoy this delicious topping that gives a French and refined taste to your favorite dishes. If you plan to use caramelized onions for a burger, check out our recipe of how we made a healthy and delicious burger at home.

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