Caramelizing onions slowly is the key to bringing out the deep, sweet flavors of their natural sugars.

It’s not necessary, but it will add some additional flavor.

you might deglaze with these other liquids, too.

Caramelized onions being stirred with a wooden spoon in a cast iron skillet

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How to Store Caramelized Onions

Refrigeratecaramelized onions in a tightly covered container for up to 1 week.

Freezecaramelized onions in a freezer safe zip top bag or a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Suggestion: Freeze portions of caramelized onions in ice cube trays.

Caramelized onions in a cast iron skillet being stirred by a wooden spoon.

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In this example, 5 large raw onions yielded about 2 cups caramelized onions.

Place the onions cut side down on the cutting board.

Cut them in half through the root end.

A halved white onion, resting on a cutting board, being sliced with a chef’s knife.

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Peel back the peels from the onions.

Make the cuts to your desired level of thickness.

The root end will help hold the onion together as you cut it, making it easier to cut.

Halved white onion on a cutting board being sliced in equal portions by a chef’s knife

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes

Then cut a V in the root end to cut out the tough root holding the slices together.

Use a wide, thick-bottomed saute pan for maximum pan contact with the onions.

Add the onion slices and stir to coat the onions with the oil.

A chef’s knife slicing the root end off of a white onion on a cutting board

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Spread the onions out evenly over the pan and let cook, stirring occasionally.

Let the onions cook for 30 minutes to 1 hour more, stirring every few minutes.

Continue to cook and scrape, cook and scrape, until the onions are a rich, browned color.

Sliced white onions spread out and resting on a cutting board

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes

Store refrigerated for several days in an air-tight container.

What’s your favorite way to use caramelized onions?

Let us know below and leave us a rating and review if you enjoyed this recipe!

Overhead of sliced onions in a cast iron skillet resting on a counter top

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A metal spatula stirring sautéd onions in a cast iron skillet

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A metal spatula scrapping browned onions off the surface of a cast iron skillet

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Overhead view of a cast iron skillet filled with caramelized onions

Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes