How to Caramelize Onions

5 from 1 vote

You only need onions, salt, and olive oil to make these caramelized onions. The most important thing to remember is cook them low and slow!

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time1 10

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to caramelize onions

Servings:

Use a mandolin or a very sharp knife to slice all 4 onions into even slices to about ¼” to ½-inch thick.
Heat a large, cast iron skillet over low heat and add the olive oil. When the olive oil is fragrant, add the onions.
Toss the onions with the olive oil and let the onions cook on low for 30 minutes, stirring periodically.
After 30 minutes, season the onions with salt, stir, and let the onions cook for another 20-30 minutes over low heat, stirring periodically.
When the onions turn a golden brown color and are caramelized, remove them from the pan.
Use the caramelized onions on burgers, on salads, wraps, sandwiches or however you would like.

Do not add the salt to the onions right away. You add the onions half way through the cook time so the onions don’t cook in their own liquid too early.
Caramelized onions are meant to be cooked very low and slow. This should take 50-60 minutes!