Favorite way to use caramelized onions?

August 27, 2019 6:43 PM

I caramelized four big onions this weekend. How should I use them? What is your favorite recipe that incorporates caramelized onions?
posted by christa to Food & Drink (29 answers total)

You can freeze them in portions in ice cube trays, so all your burgers and steaks henceforth can have a nice dollop of them.

It's a little warm here for onion soup, but you could do that too.
posted by Lycaste at 6:47 PM on August 27, 2019 [7 favorites]

Throw them in a rice cooker with brown rice and some oil.
posted by rdn at 6:52 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

Mujadara is the only thing I think of when I think of carmelized onions.
posted by jessamyn at 6:59 PM on August 27, 2019 [7 favorites]

Everything. Everything is appropriate for good caramelized onion. Yes even popsicles.

My inclination would be to serve generously over a grilled protein, or sautée some mushrooms and whatever other veggies scraps are on hand to make a delicious soup, do an easy roux for extra tasty points.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:03 PM on August 27, 2019 [5 favorites]

Grilled cheese sandwiches! I think one onion's worth of caramelized onion per sandwich is about right. I like either a brie or a sharp cheddar. If you're using a non-melty cheese, get some non-sliced American cheese at the deli counter, grate both cheeses up and toss them together before making your sandwich.
posted by capricorn at 7:09 PM on August 27, 2019 [7 favorites]

Pasta, olive oil or butter, parmesan cheese. Maybe a little bacon or pancetta.

Before I stopped eating dairy, I used make an onion tart with sauteed onions and swiss cheese.
posted by theora55 at 7:13 PM on August 27, 2019 [3 favorites]

Freezing them in ice cube trays, yes.

Pissaladier - I have not used this exact recipe (I've used home-made or purchased pizza dough in the past)

Tamarind chickpea curry - Surprisingly delicious.
posted by bunderful at 7:14 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

goat cheese and caramelized onion quiche. omg so freaking delicious.
posted by TestamentToGrace at 7:27 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

also grilled cheese sandwiches with caramelized onion, gruyere, and thyme.
posted by TestamentToGrace at 7:28 PM on August 27, 2019 [3 favorites]

Omelette, with more onions than egg. Warm about a half cup or cup of them up slightly, then start the eggs in a larger pan than you think you need so you get a thin omelette, then drop them in and fold and eat. Add a bit of cheese if that's your thing.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 7:34 PM on August 27, 2019 [4 favorites]

Salad:

Beets and Caramelized Onions with Feta

This is really good. Works with roasted beets or pickled beets.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:43 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

Butternut squash and caramelized onion galette from Smitten Kitchen.

Sliders or burgers with caramelized onions, arugula, melted cheese, and a little ketchup.
posted by Red Desk at 7:49 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

Dirty rice. Fry sliced mushrooms and onions together until the onions are caramelised. (Or warm your pre-cooked onions and fry some mushrooms.) Chuck into the pan the white rice you have previously boiled. Mix together, serve with green veg or salad. Garnished nuts might be nice. Or not, doesn't matter, it's a cheap-and-easy-feed-lots-with-little kind of recipe. Rice for 5 or 6 people will take two fistfuls each of onions and mushrooms.
posted by glasseyes at 7:58 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

On top of lamb meatballs, served with an herby salad and pita.
posted by Mizu at 9:02 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

Koshari! Pasta, rice, chickpeas, and lentils with a tomato sauce and a vinegar sauce and the onions on top ... decadent.
posted by gaybobbie at 9:02 PM on August 27, 2019 [4 favorites]

I can also recommend the smitten kitchen dish, it's super yummy. I love to put caramelized onions on a pizza - sometimes alone, sometimes with chicken and BBQ sauce. The possibilities are endless!
posted by carlypennylane at 9:09 PM on August 27, 2019 [2 favorites]

Ooh, also, I like to drape them over perogi, especially if you can get some really good quality perogies!
posted by carlypennylane at 9:11 PM on August 27, 2019 [4 favorites]

in scrambled eggs.

also in sauteed grated zucchini, but that's a whole recipe.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:22 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

Seconding that caramelized onions make a really great pizza topping. My partner recently made a pizza with balsamic caramelized onions, prosciutto, blueberries, basil, mozzarella and soft unripened goat cheese. For a heavier pizza we've paired the caramelized onions with crumbled sausage & Italian seasoning.
posted by Secret Sparrow at 9:29 PM on August 27, 2019 [3 favorites]

All the onion burgers, all the time. Hamburger patty is not optional, but does not have to dominate. Cheese of course, grilled mushrooms are also nice, or grill some red and green bell peppers.
Grill the bun before assembly, preferably in the same drippings as the caramelized onions.

Also, slice some potatoes and spend an enormous amount of time slowly frying them. Electric skillet is good, cast iron skillet is even better. Brown them tatters. Then add sliced onion. More frying ensues. Some like their condiments, but I just add salt and devour as (deity of your choice) intended.
posted by TrishaU at 10:19 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

This caramelized onion+rosemary dip is SUPER yum and happens to be vegan.
posted by Halo in reverse at 10:20 PM on August 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

Onion tart/s with either thyme or oregano notes.
For extra flavour combo with the onions, roll up the pastry edge with Parmesan or similar, seal the edges with a fork n milk. Fit it into a square or rectangle tin. (I also make these as little tarts with shop bought cases sprinkled with a bit of Parmesan.) Blind bake for a bit til it’s got a light tan. Take out of oven and spoon in a layer of the onions, add roughly torn feta bits. Bake til it’s a bit melty and then shower the tart with fresh oregano leaves. You can eat it hot or cold. Lots of caramelised onion tarts are quiches but you don’t need milk or eggs to make this as you could use vegan pastry and skip the animal cheese for substitutes. I think the onions and lashings of fresh oregano or thyme in a crunchy mouthful is The Best food combo for any meal in the day.
posted by honey-barbara at 4:22 AM on August 28, 2019 [1 favorite]

I make a pizza with caramelized onions, a generous sprinkling of thyme and fontina cheese. Sooo good!
posted by sarajane at 4:40 AM on August 28, 2019 [2 favorites]

They're good on a tunafish sandwich, with capers.
They're good with pasta, with garlic and red pepper flakes and capers.
They're good on pizza, with goat cheese and black olives.
They're good on hamburgers, with cheddar cheese and bacon.

They go really well with a salty element with contrasting texture, because they're kind of gooey. That's part of their charm, but it needs offsetting.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 5:46 AM on August 28, 2019 [2 favorites]

My favorite is slicing a broiled flank steak thinly and topping thick toast with that, some caramelized onions with a bit of paprika and some warmed sour cream with horseradish mixed in. Yuuummm.

Also homemade pizza with caramelized onions, creme fraiche, and crispy bacon.
posted by ananci at 9:00 AM on August 28, 2019 [2 favorites]

My husband’s chili recipe makes copious use of caramelized onions. (I think the recipe is pretty generic otherwise.)
posted by sm1tten at 10:21 AM on August 28, 2019 [1 favorite]

Came in to say pizza topped with goat's cheese, gorgonzola, roasted pears and caramelized onions would be divine!
posted by Everydayville at 1:36 PM on August 28, 2019 [2 favorites]

Patty Melt uses about 1/2 onion per sandwich, maybe a bit more.
posted by rhizome at 7:08 PM on August 28, 2019 [1 favorite]

Quiche Lorraine is the most common use of my freezer stash, but pizza, as a shortcut to bacon jam, and worked into any bread/roll recipe are fantastic as well.
posted by nenequesadilla at 8:21 PM on September 13, 2019 [1 favorite]