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    Home » Recipes » Burger Toppings

    Caramelized Onions for Burgers

    Published: Jun 30, 2023 Modified: Jul 24, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    I have the secret to the best Caramelized Onions for Burgers! Ready in 30 minutes or less, these quick caramelized onions are easy, flavorful, and so delicious on burgers, with steak, and more. Simple ingredients and just 3 steps!

    adding caramelized onions to a burger with tongs
    Jump to:
    • The Best Caramelized Onions
    • Caramelized Onions for Burgers Ingredients
    • How to Caramelize Onions
    • Caramelized Onions Recipe FAQs
    • What to Serve with Caramelized Onions
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    The Best Caramelized Onions

    I love caramelizing onions for burgers. There is nothing like a juicy, loaded burger topped with sweet, soft onions browned to perfection.

    People will tell you that the only way to caramelize onions is to cook them for at least an hour. I can tell you from experience that this is just not true! I will show you how to caramelize onions in just 30 minutes.

    The trick to perfectly browned, sweet caramelized onions is much easier than you might think. Follow my easy instructions and you will make them perfectly every time!

    These juicy onions paired with my burger seasoning are the recipe for the most amazing burger you will ever bite into. Another amazing tip is to try adding my Truffle Butter Recipe to your next burger!

    Just finished making a double batch for a picnic tomorrow. OMG delicious! Thank you for sharing!!

    Cindi on Pinterest
    caramelized onions on top of a burger

    Caramelized Onions for Burgers Ingredients

    • unsalted butter
    • red onion
    • brown sugar
    • balsamic vinegar
    • soy sauce
    • salt to taste
    • pepper to taste
    ingredients for caramelized onions for burgers with labels

    How to Caramelize Onions

    1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced red onions to the pan. Allow them to sit until they begin to brown.
      red onions added to a skillet with butter
    2. Add in brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and salt and pepper when the onions just begin to brown.
      adding ingredients for caramelized onions to onions and butter in a skillet
    3. Stir and continue to cook until browned and soft. Your caramelized onions are ready!
      caramelized onions in a skillet with a wooden spoon

    Caramelized Onions Recipe FAQs

    What is the difference between caramelized onions and sautéed onions?

    Sautéing is a cooking technique, while caramelizing describes an actual chemical change in the onions from heating the sugar. The sugar breaks down, making the onions soft and sweet. You can quickly sauté onions without caramelizing them.

    What kind of onion do you use for caramelized onions?

    I use red onions in this recipe for caramelized onions for burgers. You can also use white onions.

    What is the best pan to caramelize onions?

    Use a stainless steel pan or a cast-iron skillet for the best results caramelizing onions.

    Do you use oil or butter to caramelize onions?

    Always butter! Butter adds so much flavor to the onions when browning them.

    How do you caramelize onions without burning them?

    Stir while cooking over medium-high heat. Not all stoves are the same, so if your onions are starting to burn, lower the heat to medium and allow them to cook a little more slowly.

    Should you cover onions when caramelizing?

    There is no need to cover the pan. You want to be able to stir when you need to.

    How do you slice onions for caramelizing?

    Cut off the root and stem ends of the onion. Cut the onion in half, which will make it easy to peel with your fingers. Thinly slice the onion in vertical slices (from root to stem).

    How do you tell when caramelized onions are done?

    When they're ready, they will be considerably browned, soft, and shrunken.

    Can you freeze caramelized onions for burgers?

    After cooking, allow the onions to cool. Portion into freezer-safe containers. Ice cube trays are great for small portions or, if you're freezing a large portion, use freezer bags. Label with the freezing date and store for up to 3 months. Consider cooking a larger batch to freeze, as onions shrink when cooking.

    How do you reheat caramelized onions?

    For refrigerated onions, reheat in a pan over low to medium heat until they start to sizzle. For frozen, use the onions straight out of the freezer - there's no need to thaw them. Add them to your meal and allow them to cook down, or reheat in a pan over low to medium heat.

    How should I store them?

    Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    using tongs to place caramelized onions on a burger

    What to Serve with Caramelized Onions

    • Gourmet Burgers
    • Smash Burgers
    • Swiss Mushroom Burger
    • BBQ Burgers
    • Air Fried Burger
    • See our guide on How Long to Cook Burgers!

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    📋 Recipe

    caramelized onions for burgers in a black skillet with a wooden spoon
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    4.58 from 42 votes

    Caramelized Onions for Burgers

    I have the secret to the best Caramelized Onions for Burgers! They're easy to make in less than 30 minutes in just 3 steps!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: caramelized onions, caramelized onions for burgers, caramelizing onions, how to make caramelized onions
    Servings: 4 portions
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Spatula or wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 red onion cut into thin slices
    • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
    • salt to taste
    • pepper to taste

    See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

    Instructions

    • Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced red onions to the pan. Allow them to sit until they begin to brown.
      2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 red onion
      red onions added to a skillet with butter
    • Add in brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and salt and pepper when the onions just begin to brown.
      2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, salt to taste, pepper to taste
      adding ingredients for caramelized onions to onions and butter in a skillet
    • Stir and continue to cook until browned and soft, about 15-17 minutes. Your caramelized onions are ready!
      caramelized onions in a skillet with a wooden spoon

    Video

    Notes

    • If you don't have balsamic vinegar, then red wine vinegar, whiskey, or vermouth can be used instead.
    • Sweet yellow or white onions can be used instead of red onions, if you prefer.
    • Onions shrink when caramelized, so if you're serving a large group, you may want to make more and freeze any leftovers you don't need right away. Just allow them to cool, then freeze for up to 3 months in freezer-safe bags or a container.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 137mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Isabel Laessig
    Isabel Laessig
    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me
    Isabel Laessig
    Latest posts by Isabel Laessig (see all)
    • London Broil on the Grill - September 16, 2023
    • Steak Seasoning - September 16, 2023
    • Prime Rib Rub - September 15, 2023

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    « BBQ Sauce for Ribs
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    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
    » About Me

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    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie. Welcome to my beef-obsessed recipe website!

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