Caramelized onions are delicious on just about anything. They add a mouthwatering burst of flavor to a variety of meals like burgers, pizza, pasta — such as caramelized onion fettuccine or even mac and cheese — soups, sandwiches, and more. And the best part is that theyre incredibly easy to whip up, requiring only sliced onions, butter or oil, and just a smidgen of patience. Its best to caramelize onions over low heat to keep them from burning, which normally takes at least 45 minutes in order to get them deeply browned to perfection.
Leave it to Ina Garten to make the entire process even easier and faster. In her 2018 cookbook “Cook Like A Pro,” the Barefoot Contessa shared a clever tip for browning a batch of onions, which simply involves using a bigger pot. She notes that the larger bottom surface will help cook the onions far better and more quickly compared to a small pot. Using too small of a pot can cause the onions to steam instead of caramelize, resulting in them taking far longer to cook.
The best type of pan for caramelizing onions
Just because you can caramelize onions in any pan doesnt mean you should. And when it comes to browning onions, using the wrong pan is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid. Thick-bottomed cast iron or stainless steel pans that are especially wide are the best. However, it also depends on the amount of onions you plan to sauté.
For example, if you plan to brown two large onions, a good rule of thumb is to use a 12-inch pan. This helps to ensure that the sliced onions arent overcrowded in the vessel, which can result in them steaming instead of browning.
Another pro tip: You should avoid using a non-stick pan. Caramelizing onions in a non-stick skillet means you wont get that delicious fond, or browned bits of food that stick to the bottom of the pan, which only adds to their savory flavor.
Ina Garten’s Smashed Hamburgers with Caramelized Onions | Barefoot Contessa | Food Network
FAQ
Is it better to caramelize onions with butter or oil?
What do you add to onions to make them caramelize faster?
What’s the difference between caramelized and sauteed onions?
Why does baking soda help caramelize onions?
How to make caramelized onions?
Melt butter, add chopped onions. Cook medium to high heat till soft. Stir in brown sugar, cook further 3 – 4 minutes to caramelize sugar. Place all other ingredients including the caramelized onions into food processor. Puree till smooth. Serve with pretzels.
Should you use a bigger pot when caramelizing onions?
Ina Garten’s tip from her “Cook Like A Pro” cookbook suggests using a bigger pot when you caramelize onions. This is because your onions have more surface area to spread out and get more individual heat from the bottom, thus cooking faster. You know how you’ve always been told to not crowd a pan if you want even cooking time?
How long does it take to caramelize onions?
Stir often, to avoid burning, for about 15 minutes. The onions are done when the edges of most of them are nice and brown. Salt and pepper to taste. Caramelizing is the slower process of sautéing onions in olive oil on medium to medium-low heat over a period of about an hour until the onions are completely browned.
How long do you cook onions in a frying pan?
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat, add the onions, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and starting to brown. Add the sugar, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned and caramelized.