Easy Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Slow cooker caramelized onions are easy to do 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.

Crockpot Caramelized Onions

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.

Let’s talk a little bit about slow cooking shall we?? First off I have a few different varieties and I love them all. Each one has an occasion to be used like….

1. This is my favorite 6 quart programmable one with a locking lid so it’s great for bringing to a potluck too.
2. I prefer not to use liners, but rather just spray olive oil inside before adding my food for easier cleanups.

Let me give you a peek of my pretty thang I bought recently. It goes with my kitchen so I can just leave it out on the countertop all the time. 😉

Caramelize Onions in Slow Cooker

If you know How to Cook Beef Liver you know just how important this part of that dish is. You could add the meat on top after 3 hours since they need about 7 to come to temp, or cook separately. There are pluses and minuses to either choice. Together means less dirty dishes, I agree that is a huge plus.

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 Pork Liver is delicious my friends. For this part of the dish, or if you’re making for burgers, you will need;

• 8 onions sliced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 c butter melted

If you wanted to make this dairy free caramelized onions 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.

Slow Cooker Onions Caramelized

The whole idea of caramelized onions basically, are that they 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.

We have done this same thing on the saute feature of an Instant Pot with our Pressure Cooker French Onion Soup which works well too if you want a fast batch.

• 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 when done. 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.

How to Make Caramelized Onions in a Slow Cooker

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.

1. You can make these and then continue with a batch of Crockpot French Onion Soup for dinner.
2. Serve as a garnish for grilled or pan-seared steaks, pork chops, or lamb chops. They provide a flavorful contrast to the rich meat.
3. 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.
4. Serve as a base for Brown Onion Gravy, sauces, and condiments.
5. 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.