Our slow cooker caramelized onions are easy make with just 10 minutes prep work beforehand. Best 3 ingredient side dish for burgers. Keep savory with just butter or make sweeter like our stove top Caramelized Onions with Brown Sugar recipe.
Jump To
- What does it mean to caramelized onions?
- What type of onions are best?
- How long does it take to cook onions in a slow cooker?
- Variations
- What is the best way to make a large batch of caramelized onions?
- Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Recipe
- Slow cooker caramelized onions on high
- How to save leftovers
- What goes with caramelized onion?
Also known as fried onion paste, this dish can be used on or in all sorts of recipes so get ready for the goodness. Browned with natural sweetness released as they soften in the Crockpot all day, your family is going to love this alongside your dinner tonight.
If you want to know How to Cook Beef Heart the very best way, it includes these!! If I plan on making a batch I’ll plan a meal that night with them as well as something the next day with them too. You just can’t get enough and you do NOT want to waste even one bite.
Now I have made this a few different ways. When in a hurry I can make a sort of version as Air Fryer Onions, but it is nothing like a bite of these. The trick is to not rush the deliciousness and take your time for the very best results. There isn’t any alternative to time for this old fashioned dish.
What does it mean to caramelized onions?
The whole idea is that strips of onions (with butter and sometimes brown sugar) have been cooked slowly over low to medium heat until their natural sugars break down and turn golden brown. This slow cooking process transforms their natural flavor, texture, and appearance resulting in a sweet, rich, and savory ingredient that adds depth to various dishes.
What type of onions are best?
Sweet onions, like Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Maui, are best for caramelized onions because their natural sugars create a rich, deep flavor and beautiful golden color as they cook. However, yellow onions are a versatile and more affordable option that also caramelize well, making them a popular choice for everyday use.
How long does it take to cook onions in a slow cooker?
10 hours is about perfect to caramelize onions in slow cooker perfectly. This cook time is subjective of course depending on how soft and browned you want them to be. Longer will yield a sweeter and/or more of a onion paste of sorts.
Variations
If you wanted to make this dairy free that is easy peasy. You literally won’t even be able to tell the difference with the vegan plant based product from Country Crock. As far as the salt goes you can go with table of course but sea or pink salt is oh so delicious too.
If you know How to Cook Beef Liver you know just how important this part of that dish is. Without them most people won’t even touch that as a “meal”. Of course we have shown you how to make this on the stove so it can be served together but the longer your strips of onions cook the better they become so it was time to share this method too.
The negative to it is that you don’t really get a nice crisp on the outside. If that is important to you I would use a pan on your stove. You can enjoy this with beef (linked above), chicken, deer or even How to Cook Pork Liver with this on top is delicious my friends.
We have done this same thing on the saute feature of an Instant Pot with our Instant Pot French Onion Soup which works well too if you want a fast batch.
What is the best way to make a large batch of caramelized onions?
I think this is it, it makes 2-1/3 to 3 cups of cooked onions when done which is quite a bit compared to how much a skillet will hold. Another plus is for a large group you can switch it to low and they get better and better, able to serve for a longer period of time.
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
Instructions
- Remove skins and slice onions thinly. Add to a slow cooker. Sprinkle onions with salt and drizzle with melted butter. Toss to coat onions. (if you want a touch of sweetness add 1 tbsp of brown sugar into mix too)
- Cover and heat on low for 10 hours. If onions have too much liquid, or you want them browner, continue to cook another 2-4 hours on low until liquid is reduced. Remove with slotted spoon from slow cooker and use in your favorite recipes. Makes 2-1/3 to 3 cups of cooked onions
Video
Notes
Slow cooker caramelized onions on high
I always recommend low but if you wanted to speed it up a bit you could first set to high for the first 2 hours. Then reduce the heat to low for 5 hours or until tender to your liking. On high the whole time won’t yield you the deep flavor you want and would expect but this option is a good go between for less cook time.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to save leftovers
If you want to save for later you can add to jars but leave lid ajar until completely cooled. Keep in the fridge up to 3 days. Include extra liquid in there for flavor. You can freeze in ice cube trays for longer too.
What goes with caramelized onion?
The most common way these are served are with liver or as a delicious topping for burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs. They add sweetness and depth of flavor, complementing the savory components.
- You can make these and then continue with a batch of Crockpot French Onion Soup for dinner.
- Serve as a garnish for grilled or pan-seared steaks, pork chops, or lamb chops. They provide a flavorful contrast to the rich meat.
- They can be used as a pizza topping along with other ingredients like goat cheese, prosciutto, arugula, and balsamic glaze. They add sweetness and complexity to the pizza.
- Serve as a base for Onion Gravy, sauces, and condiments.
- Fold into omelettes or frittatas for a burst of flavor. They pair well with eggs, cheese, and various vegetables.
Incorporate into dips and spreads, such as onion dip, hummus, or aioli. They can elevate the flavor and make these dips more interesting.
