Caramelized or confit onions are the ideal complement to all kinds of recipes. Thanks to their sweet flavor, we can achieve exquisite sweet/savory contrasts and soften strong meat or fish-based recipes.
Contrary to what many recipe websites report, the golden color of candied onions is due to the caramelization reaction, not the Maillard reaction, which only occurs in the presence of proteins.
Caramelizing onions isn't just about browning them over high heat, but rather the opposite. To caramelize onions, cook them over low heat, allowing them to soften before they begin to brown. This recipe doesn't require added sugar; the sugars in the onion are sufficient to achieve caramelization.
Our trick to prevent the onion from burning in the pan is to add a splash of water every 10 minutes. This trick will allow the onion to continue cooking because sugar is water-soluble, but it will prevent the onion from browning and burning on contact with the pan.
Follow our steps to prepare an exquisite caramelized onion quickly and easily!
Index
- 1 Necessary ingredients
- 2 How to prepare caramelized onions
- 3 Tips for Making Caramelized Onions
- 4 How to prevent onions from burning?
- 5 How long does caramelized onion last?
- 6 Ingredients
- 7 Instructions
Necessary ingredients
How to prepare caramelized onions
Tips for making caramelized onions
- Use low heat throughout cooking; raising the heat will not speed up the process, it will only result in the onion becoming raw and burnt.
- Cover the pot for the first 10 minutes to soften the onion before it begins to caramelize.
- Onions already have a lot of sugar naturally, which is why they caramelize so well. But if you want it even sweeter, you can add a teaspoon of sugar or a splash of honey for an even sweeter flavor.
- If you're happy with the flavor but want the onion to have a more intense color, you can add a splash of soy sauce.
How to prevent onions from burning?
The key to preventing the onion from burning is to add a little water to the pan. This will prevent it from sticking and give it more time to caramelize.
How long does caramelized onion last?
Caramelized onions will last up to a week in the refrigerator. However, you can store them for weeks in an airtight container in the freezer. We usually make large batches at once and defrost them as needed.
Servings 6
- Amount per serving
- % Daily Value *
- Saturated Fat 3.4 g17 %
- Fiber 1.2 g5 %
- Sugars 2.3 g
- Calcium 13 %
*Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
