Use these delicious balsamic caramelized onions to top just about anything from burgers to pizza to salads to steak.

This isn’t one of those quick recipes that I love to post around here. You’ll need at least an hour to make these balsamic caramelized onions – preferably more – to coax your onions into their perfectly melty, caramelized, sweet place. But they’re definitely easy and you can have these in your skillet while you’re doing any number of other things.
Make them a day before and tuck them away in your fridge (after enjoying a couple of spoonfuls, I never can resist them)! They keep very well and are best at room temperature – perfect for a barbecue since you can just set them on the table and not worry about heating them.

Use these delicious balsamic caramelized onions to top burgers, pizza, steaks…you could even put some on a salad (mmm…with blue cheese dressing). I’ve even been known to enjoy some as a side – they’re that good. Cheap, easy, delicious and relatively healthy…pretty close to perfect.
They’re especially delicious on a burger topped with blue cheese.
I make so many variations on this recipe. Another favorite is spicy caramelized onions (just add hot sauce to taste at the end instead of balsamic). Spicy sweet caramelized onions…delicious!

Are there other ways you use caramelized onions that I haven’t listed here? Leave me a comment below and fill me in on what I may be missing.

Balsamic Caramelized Onions
Use these delicious balsamic caramelized onions to top just about anything from burgers to pizza to salads to steak.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 sweet onions (sliced thickly (about 5-6 slices per onion))
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/4-1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (depending on personal preference)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add half of the onions, cook down slightly then add the other half. (You can add them all at once but it might be difficult to stir until they cook down some, depending on the size of your skillet). Season with salt & pepper.
- Once onions are cooked down slightly (enough that you can stir them all in the skillet without any going overboard) add sugar and stir gently. Add balsamic and stir again. Reduce heat to low and slowly cook onions, stirring occasionally, for an hour or so. Vinegar will reduce and coat onions.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Can be served at room temperature.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 127Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 540mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
If you love onions try this delicious creamed onions recipe next.
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Kristin Belle Knudsen
Monday 25th of October 2021
Lovely recipe! They freeze in ice cube trays, too.
Kristy Bernardo
Friday 5th of November 2021
Great suggestion, thank you!
Noah
Saturday 22nd of April 2017
Mix with diced tomatoes, let simmer and top a garlic parmesan grilled chicken sandwich
Ann
Tuesday 30th of June 2015
I added some eggplant strips and caramelized the whole batch up. Delicious. Great on salad and tossed with pasta. Yum Yum. Thanks!
Kristy Bernardo
Wednesday 1st of July 2015
YUM!! I've never had it with eggplant strips; will have to give that one a try. Thanks, Ann!
Susan
Thursday 15th of January 2015
These are wonderful on top of a bed of homemade mashed potatoes and topped with seared tuna!
Kristy Bernardo
Sunday 18th of January 2015
Oh, that does sound good! Thanks for the idea :)
Crystal
Monday 22nd of December 2014
I never comment on blog posts, but I had to let you know how great this recipe is. My husband generally does all of the cooking, but I try a recipe out every now and then. I made these onions tonight to go inside quesadillas. Tonight was the first time that my husband ever called anything I made "amazing"! He absolutely loved them. This is one that I will have to keep!!
Kristy Bernardo
Monday 22nd of December 2014
I am so thrilled! I've never tried them inside a quesadilla, sounds fantastic. Thanks so much for letting me know, you made my night! Happy Holidays to you :)