How to make caramelised onions
Learn how to make perfect caramelised onions every time with our easy step-by-step guide and get inspired with delicious recipes to use them in.
Want to achieve perfectly balanced sweet, sharp and sticky onions? Master this and you’ve got a winning barbecue side, burger topping or the building block to so many delicious classic recipes.
The key to moreish caramelised onions is time – and lots of it. If you crank up the heat and fry them in a flash the onions will char and toughen up and you’ll never achieve that dreamy sweet, gooey softness. So, clear the diary and turn the hob down low.
Try our best ever caramelised onions recipe.
Basic recipe:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 large onions (red or white), sliced
- pinch of salt
Tasty additions:
More like this
- 2 tbsp soft brown sugar
- 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
How to caramelise onions
- Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a low heat.
Get some recipe inspiration
Caramelised onion quiche with cheddar and bacon
Make this easy quiche with shop-bought pastry and achieve perfect results every time. Caramelised onions match well with rich smoked bacon, cheese and thyme. While this recipe uses butter instead of oil to fry them, the slow and low method is the same.Caramelised onion gravy
This is a fabulous recipe for toad-in-the-hole, but it’s that caramelised onion gravy that steals the show.French onion soup
Take your perfectly caramelised onions, add a little flour, white wine, beef stock and you’ve got yourself a wonderful bowl of classic French comfort food. Our French onion soup is just what you need on a cold night. Don’t forget the cheese on toast!Maple-glazed hot dogs
Load those caramelised onions into a hot dog bun, add a maple-glazed sausage and lashings of mustard and treat yourself to the ultimate street food indulgence. These hot dogs are perfect for a party, too. Expect them to disappear in no time.
What's your favourite way to enjoy caramelised onions? Leave a comment below...