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CrockPot Caramelized Onions Recipe

4.6 from 511 reviews

This CrockPot Caramelized Onions recipe offers a hands-off, slow-cooked method to achieve deeply sweet, tender onions with a luscious caramelized flavor. Using a slow cooker, the onions gradually transform, perfect for adding rich depth to sandwiches, burgers, soups, or as a savory side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs sweet yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced into rings
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into pats
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Onions: Peel and thinly slice 4 pounds of sweet yellow onions into rings. This ensures they cook evenly and caramelize properly in the slow cooker.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Place the sliced onions at the bottom of a 5-quart or larger slow cooker. Add 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Toss everything gently to coat the onions evenly with the butter and seasonings.
  3. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to low. Let the onions cook for 8 to 10 hours, stirring occasionally every couple of hours to promote even caramelization and prevent sticking. The onions should become very soft and richly caramelized by the end.
  4. Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the caramelized onions immediately as a flavorful addition to dishes or keep them on the warm setting of the slow cooker until ready to use.

Notes

  • Use sweet yellow onions for the best natural sweetness and caramelization.
  • Stirring occasionally helps the onions cook evenly and prevents burning.
  • Butter adds richness, but you can substitute with olive oil for a dairy-free option.
  • These caramelized onions can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
  • Adjust the sugar amount slightly if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet result.

Keywords: caramelized onions, slow cooker onions, crockpot onions, sweet onions, easy slow cooker recipe, side dish