25 Luscious, Velvety Recipes Using Caramelized Onions

Emma Christensen

updated Sep 22, 2023

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onion apple cheddar tart sliced on a baking sheet — Credit: Photo: Chris SImpson; Food Styling; Jessie YuChen

Ok, so you’ve probably gathered by now that we go a bit head-over-heels for caramelized onions here at The Kitchn. We’ve talked about how we make big batches, use them in everything, and then freeze the extra. Well, just what do we mean by “everything”? Read on for our expert tutorials on how to caramelize onions perfectly (including in the slow cooker). Then lavish that rich, sweet goodness over some of our favorite recipes.

Recipes that Use Caramelized Onion

1 / 21

How To Caramelize Onions

Caramelizing onions is easy to do. All you need is a few onions, a pat of butter, a pan, and some time.

2 / 21

How To Caramelize Onions in the Slow Cooker

Yes, you can use your slow cooker to caramelize onions. Here how.

3 / 21

Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Sausage Pasta Recipe

A savory one-pot pasta with caramelized onions, apples, and Italian sausage.

4 / 21

Caramelized Onion and Phyllo Tart

Sweet and deeply flavored, a tart covered with caramelized onions needs little embellishment and is a great way to use up the big bag of onions you picked up at the grocery store or farm stand.

5 / 21

Caramelized Onion Dip

This big-batch dip is the perfect way to put a bag of onions to work. Serve with chips, veggies, or toasted bread.

6 / 21

Sweet Potato Hash with Caramelized Onions, Sausage & Eggs

Our make-ahead favorite recipe for a big family brunch: savory, garlicky sweet potato hash, roasted with sausage and rosemary, and baked the next day with eggs on top.

7 / 21

Caramelized Onion, Apple, and Cheddar Tart Recipe

Jammy caramelized onions, tart apple slices, and sharp cheddar cheese doll up frozen puff pastry into this showstopping autumnal tart.

8 / 21

Crispy Turnovers with Apple, Bacon, and Caramelized Onions

This is an easy recipe to adapt to your schedule. You can prepare the entire turnover the night before, leave them on baking sheets in the fridge over night, and bake them off in the morning.

9 / 21

Steak with Drunken Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions & Roasted Blue Cheese Potatoes

The lure of steak is simply irresistible. Add in beer-soaked mushrooms, caramelized onions, and some fingerling potatoes roasted with blue cheese, and you’ll have every neighbor within 300 feet of your front door standing in your kitchen.

10 / 21

Caramelized Onion Skillet Quiche

A savory caramelized onion quiche made in a skillet and topped with resh arugula.

11 / 21

Flatbreads with Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions, and Basil

Here’s a recipe that can easily work both as a party-worthy appetizer or as a light supper, perhaps served with a salad dressed in a sharp, mustardy vinaigrette. The sweet caramelized onions, sharp goat cheese and pungent fresh basil work together beautifully, especially when supported by a crisp but chewy flatbread.

12 / 21

Potato-Parsnip Rosti with Caramelized Onion Sour Cream

If you’re looking for a starchy Hanukkah dish that’s *like* latkes but doesn’t require the patience of frying, flipping, and keeping them warm, say hello to the rosti.

13 / 21

Caramelized Onion and Chile Ramen

Here, sticky onions combine with miso, stock, and sake to make a very special-tasting soup.

14 / 21

French Onion Dip with Caramelized Onions and Greek Yogurt

This is a new take on this iconic dip, which substitutes Greek yogurt for the mayo and sour cream and swaps in real onions and other aromatics.

15 / 21

Farro Salad with Roasted Eggplant, Caramelized Onion, and Pine Nuts

Here roasted eggplant shines in a simple yet aromatic salad with plump kernels of farro. Fresh as well as dried mint add layers of flavor. Don’t let the few steps deter you — this creation comes together seamlessly.

16 / 21

Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions

This creamy, thick, baked rice dish full of dark mushroom flavor topped with sweet caramelized onions and a flurry of pepper is one of the most satisfying things to eat when you’re craving savory comfort food.

17 / 21

Goat Cheese Tart with Roasted Eggplant, Zucchini, and Caramelized Onions

This tart has a light phyllo dough shell, grilled vegetables, a hint of coriander, and a dollop of lemony hummus to complement the other Mediterranean flavors.

18 / 21

Caramelized Onion, Ham, and Provolone Breakfast Bread Pudding

A fancy (yet super-easy!) upgrade to the classic ham and cheese breakfast casserole, starting with cubes of day-old sourdough soaked in a velvety custard that’s laced with rich caramelized onions, bits of ham, and sharp provolone cheese.

19 / 21

Caramelized Eggplant & Onion Orzo

An easy recipe for one-pan orzo and summer vegetables that's both vegetarian and vegan.

20 / 21

Brown Rice Bowl with Lentils, Caramelized Onions & Fried Egg

For this meatless version of mujadara, we’re serving up these smoky, cumin-scented lentils with a fried egg, spicy harissa, and toasted pine nuts, and calling it a meal perfect for any time of day.

21 / 21

Roasted Sweet Potato Wraps with Caramelized Onions and Pesto

These savory vegetarian wraps are made in a big batch so you can store them in the freezer for easy lunches.

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