Freezer Friendly Caramelized Onions

Make a big batch, portion, and freeze for quick meals

Yield: 1 batch (about 12-16 portions)Prep: 15 minCook: 80 minTotal: 95 minSource: theeburgerdude.com

Ingredients

IngredientEnglish1x2x3x4x
Yellow onions3 lbs1.36 kg2.72 kg4.08 kg5.44 kg
Vegan butter2 tbsp28 g56 g84 g112 g
Cooking oil1 tbsp14 g28 g42 g56 g
SaltTo taste
SugarTo taste
Balsamic vinegar1 tsp5 g10 g15 g20 g
Beef broth (vegan)1/4 cup60 g120 g180 g240 g

Pantry swaps

OriginalSwap1Swap2Swap3Swap4Swap5
Vegan butter1 cup margarine1 cup shortening plus 1/2 teaspoon salt7/8 cup vegetable oil plus 1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup shortening7/8 cup vegetable oil
1110.87510.875
Sugar1 cup firmly packed brown sugar1–3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar (makes baked goods less crisp)1 cup superfine sugar
111.751
Balsamic vinegar1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice2 teaspoons white wine1 tablespoon red- or white-wine vinegar plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1121

Equipment

Silicone muffin liners, muffin tin, or ice cube tray for freezing.

Instructions

Slice the top root off the onions. Slice each onion in half from pole to pole (North Pole to South Pole) rather than along the equator to prevent mushiness. Peel onions, trim the bottom root, and julienne/slice them pole-to-pole to about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.

Melt the vegan butter and oil in a large Dutch oven or wide skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the sliced onions and stir to coat evenly in the butter and oil. Add a few pinches of salt and stir again.

Cook on medium-high heat initially to speed up the process, stirring every minute or so.

After 15 to 20 minutes, when browning and fond appear on the bottom of the pan, lower the heat to medium or medium-low. Continue cooking until deep golden brown, stirring regularly and adjusting heat as necessary (total cooking time takes between 40 minutes and 80 minutes).

Optional finish: Pour in the vegan beef broth and balsamic vinegar. Cook down until the liquid has completely evaporated and absorbed into the onions, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Freezing and Storage

Portion cooked onions into silicone muffin liners, a plastic-wrap-lined muffin tin, or an ice cube tray.

Flash freeze the portioned onions in the freezer for about 2 hours.

Pop frozen onion portions out of the molds and transfer into a freezer-safe bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To serve, gently reheat on the stovetop, thaw at room temperature, or add frozen portions directly into warm dishes or soups near the end of cooking.



Want to stay in touch?

Support my work