• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Also The Crumbs Please

  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Subscribe
×

Home » Dinner

Caramelized Onions for Burgers

Last updated on December 16, 2021Originally published November 25, 20211 CommentSabine

Jump to Recipe

If you're a burger eater, then you know that caramelized onions transform any hamburger into something special. The sweetness of the onion contrasts nicely with the savory meat and cheese while adding an additional layer of flavor to your favorite sandwich or veggie patty. They go great with just about anything and are easy to make.

Caramelized onions in a cast iron pan
Jump to:
  • Best onions for caramelizing
  • How thin should you cut the onions
  • What color should the cooked onions be
  • How long does the caramelization take
  • Expert tips for success
  • Make ahead instructions
  • Freezing instructions
  • Photo tutorial
  • What to serve them with
  • Recipe

Best onions for caramelizing

The best onions for caramelizing are yellow and sweet onions because they are the most versatile and go well with a wide variety of dishes. Red onions are particularly great with hearty beef dishes and stews with red wine. White onions are great to serve at barbecues.

How thin should you cut the onions

Don't cut the onions too thinly, or they will burn and dry out before they caramelize. Cut them into slices about â…›-inch (3mm) thick.

Sliced onions on a cutting board

What color should the cooked onions be

There are basically three colors that caramelized onions can be. Depending on your preference, you can caramelize them more or less until they are either blonde, golden brown, or deep golden brown. They are all delicious in their own way, and texture and taste change with each color. The darker the onions, the softer they are and the more caramelized they taste. For burgers, I love them rich golden or deep golden brown.

How long does the caramelization take

It's a slow process and takes around 45-60 minutes for the onions to be fully caramelized, soft, and delicious. I don't recommend speeding up caramelization process by adding baking soda or increasing the heat.

Expert tips for success

1. Pan choice

I prefer a cast-iron skillet, but any non-stick skillet works just as fine. I recommend using a large pan between 11-12 inches (28-30cm) wide so that the steam from the onions can escape quickly. If using a small pan and therefore overcrowding the pan, the caramelization process will take a lot longer.

2. Butter and oil

I recommend using butter and oil for caramelization as oil has a higher smoke point and butter gives you great taste. Combining both is the best of both worlds - avoiding burning the onions and having great taste.

3. Deglazing the pan

Deglazing brings back some of the lost moisture and makes the onions even more delicious. Especially beer is excellent, and I almost always use it when I caramelize onions for burgers. 1-2 tablespoon (15-30ml) of liquid is enough.

Make ahead instructions

You can prepare them up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Let them cool down before putting them in the fridge. Before serving, reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or over medium-low heat for a few minutes until hot.

Freezing instructions

Once fully cooled, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. You can either freeze them in single servings or you can freeze them all in one freezer bag. To thaw, let sit on the counter for 30 minutes and then reheat.

Photo tutorial

Melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with salt.

Uncooked onion slices in a cast iron pan

Cook uncovered over low heat for 45-60 minutes until golden or deep golden brown. Stir occasionally to avoid burning or sticking. You will need to stir more frequently towards the end of the process.

Lightly softened onion slices cooking in a pan
Half cooked onions cooking in a cast iron skillet

You will notice that the onions reduce a lot as they cook.

Lightly browned onions in a pan

The picture below shows how they look when they are blonde.

Lightly caramelized onions of a blonde color

Deglaze the pan in the last few minutes and cook the onions until golden or deep golden brown. Then serve.

Fully caramelized deep-golden onions in a cast iron pan

What to serve them with

They are a great addition to many ground beef recipes, but I especially love them on hamburgers, cheeseburgers, pretzel burgers, gourmet grilled cheese, and hot dogs.

Recipe

Caramelized onions in a cast iron pan

Caramelized Onions for Burgers

5 from 2 votes
Author Sabine Venier
Calories: 82kcal
Servings: 6 servings
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 1 hour 10 minutes
Print Pin Rate
If you're a burger eater, then you know that caramelized onions transform any burger into something special. The sweetness of the onion contrasts nicely with the savory meat and cheese while adding an additional layer of flavor to your favorite sandwich or veggie patty. They go great with just about anything and are easy to make.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 large yellow onions
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon water, wine, or beer for deglazing the pan

Instructions

  • Melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat.
  • Add the onions and sprinkle with salt. Cook uncovered over low heat for 45-60 minutes until golden or deep golden brown. Stir occasionally to avoid burning or sticking. You will need to stir more frequently towards the end of the process.
  • In the last few minutes, deglaze the skillet by adding the liquid of your choice while scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spatula. Serve on burgers and enjoy.

Video

You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.

Nutrition

Calories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 100mgPotassium: 74mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 147IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword caramelized onions, caramelized onions for burgers, how to caramelize onions, onions for burgers
Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!
« Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce (Creamy Dipping Sauce for Fries and Wings)
Pretzel Buns (German Recipe Without Lye) »

About Sabine

Sabine is a professional baker, cookbook author, and award-winning food photographer.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ralphie

    February 21, 2023 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    Sooo tasty, wanted to eat them as soon as they were done. Heaven in a pan! Best way to make is long cooking time and wine. Will be making again soon. Next time I'm putting them on steak, and getting bigger onions. Thank you. This a keeper.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Portrait photo of Sabine Venier

Hi, my name is Sabine Venier! I’m a cookbook author and food blogger. Here on Also The Crumbs Please you will find my collection of treasured family recipes.

More about me →


Currently trending

  • Cooked patty on a burger bun with lettuce
    How to Cook Air Fryer Hamburgers (Fresh and Frozen)
  • tiramisu cake decorated with whipped cream and cocoa powder on a cake plate
    Tiramisu Cake Recipe
  • A slice of Black Forest cake on a dessert plate
    Black Forest Cake (Traditional German Recipe)
  • Baked muffins in paper liners on a white serving plate
    How to Make Air Fryer Muffins
  • Stack of oatmeal cookies next to glass of milk
    Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • a dozen filled Linzer cookies in a wooden basket with powdered sugar on top
    Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe)
  • Stack of chocolate cookies on bright background
    Chocolate Cookies made with Cocoa
  • A slice of sacher torte with whipped cream on a dessert plate
    Sacher Torte Recipe

Favorites

  • Raw pizza dough on a pizza peel
    Cold fermented Pizza Dough
  • Fettuccine pasta covered in Alfredo sauce in a large pan
    Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe
  • A prepared cheeseburger on a serving board
    The Best Cheeseburger Recipe
  • Cut raspberry cake slices on a serving plate
    Easy Raspberry Cake Made From Scratch
  • Slices of blueberry bread on a white napkin
    Easy Blueberry Bread (fresh or frozen blueberries)
  • Burger sauce in a small bowl
    The Best Burger Sauce: 6 Ingredient Recipe

Footer


As seen on

collage of logos from brands which featured also the crumbs please

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2023 Also The Crumbs Please

 

Loading Comments...