Savory Caramelized Onion Side (Printable)

Caramelized onions roasted to golden perfection with olive oil, butter, and thyme for rich, savory flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large yellow onions, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds

→ Fats

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

04 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
03 - Place onion slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Drizzle olive oil and melted butter evenly over the onions, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and thyme.
05 - Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping onions halfway through, until edges are golden brown and caramelized.
06 - During the last 5 minutes of roasting, drizzle balsamic vinegar over the onions for added depth.
07 - Serve hot as a side or as a flavorful topping.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • No constant stirring required, the oven does the work while you do something else.
  • Those caramelized edges are pure umami, making this magical over burgers, grains, or roasted vegetables.
  • It feels fancy enough to impress but honest enough to be your weeknight side dish.
02 -
  • Don't skip the halfway flip; onions that roast on one side only will brown unevenly and taste bitter on the dark spots.
  • If your onions look pale after 30 minutes, give them another 5 to 10 minutes; the caramelization is worth the wait and completely changes the flavor.
03 -
  • Cut your onion slices thick enough that they stay together; thin slices turn into crispy pieces rather than tender layers.
  • Don't crowd the pan or they'll steam instead of caramelize; if needed, roast in batches rather than sacrifice the result.

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