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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2024 by Angela Latimer · 2 Comments

Sauteed Onions

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Best sauteed onions pin with text header.

Sauteed onions have a flavor that is ever-so-slightly sweet when cooked correctly, and they can be used to elevate almost any main course. With just 3 ingredients, you can have delicious sauteed onions to top your burgers, for fajitas, as a side dish, and so much more. These are so easy to make, and they make a welcome addition to almost any dish.

Quick and easy sauteed onions in white skillet with white spatula.
Jump to:
  • Easy Sauteed Onions Recipe
  • ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
  • 🥘 Sauteed Onions Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Saute Onions
  • 🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🧅 More Great Vegetable Side Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Easy Sauteed Onions Recipe

Sauteed onions are in nearly every cuisine. It’s one of the most versatile vegetables out there - amping up the flavor of everything they touch.

The challenge is getting them cooked just right. Cooked too much, and they caramelize. Cook too little, and they might as well be raw. Check out this recipe for detailed tips for getting it right! Once you learn, it’ll become second nature.  

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

Super Simple! There are only 3 steps, but it's all about timing.

Add to anything! Sauteed onions can be added to tons of different dishes for flavor.

Basic Cooking Skills! Nothing makes you feel like you're channeling some Master Chef skills like mastering basics like knife work for slicing these onions, and the actual saute!

🥘 Sauteed Onions Ingredients

A little salt and pepper is all the seasoning you need. Let the flavor of the onions shine!

  • Yellow Onion - 1 large yellow onion. You can also use a yellow sweet or white onion.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Cooking in olive oil will keep the onions from cooking too quickly or burning because it has a higher smoke point than butter.
  • Salt & Pepper - ¼ teaspoon of both salt and pepper. These simple spices add great flavor! 

Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!

🔪 How To Saute Onions

You are just 3 easy steps away from perfectly sauteed onions. All you need is a knife for cutting onions, a pan, and a spatula!

This recipe is for 4 servings, but it really depends on how much onion you like to add to your dishes! You can easily scale it up to make some more!

  1. Prep your onion. Peel off the skin of 1 large yellow onion, or whatever kind you’re working with. Cut it into thin slices, separating the rings.
  2. Heat the skillet. Pour 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a skillet or non-stick frying pan. Warm it up over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Add 1 large, sliced onion and spread the slices into an even layer across the bottom of your frying pan.
  3. Cook until tender. Saute the onions for around 10 minutes or until the onions start to brown. They should be tender. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With

Make these for a hamburger topping or to mix in or garnish rice dishes like my tasty vermicelli rice. You can also dice your onions instead, saute, and then add them to a pasta sauce. Enjoy!

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

Best sauteed onions are served here quite simply on their own.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • Don’t overcook. Cooking much longer than listed here will either lead to burning or caramelized onions. The latter is also delicious but has a different, sweeter taste than sauteed and is the texture of jam.
  • Cut onions however you want them. There is no rule about how you should cut onions to saute. The steps for doing so are the same. 
  • Add butter. If you’d like to add butter for flavor, add it towards the end of cooking. As mentioned above, butter can make the onions cook faster and burn if not careful. Toward the end, it will just serve to add flavor. 

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Leftovers, when cool, can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Sauteed onions are best reheated in a skillet over low heat until they reach your desired temperature. Once warmed to your satisfaction, remove from heat and serve!

❓ Recipe FAQs

Should Onions Be Sauteed In Oil Or Butter?

Butter has a low smoke point as opposed to oil. It is better to saute vegetables in oil because they are less likely to burn! If you want the flavor from the butter, you can add it toward the end of the cooking time.

What Is The Difference Between Sauteed Onions And Caramelized Onions?

Sauteed onions are cooked at a high temperature for a shorter amount of time. This browns the outside of the onion and only takes a few minutes. Caramelized onions are cooked over low heat for a much longer amount of time. This draws out the natural sugar in the onion and makes them sweeter!

What Oil Is Best For Sauteing Onions?

Extra virgin olive oil is almost always my preferred cooking oil. You'll want to choose an oil with a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, such as canola oil or coconut oil.

🧅 More Great Vegetable Side Dishes

  • Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions - These tender and flavorful mushrooms and onions make the perfect addition to steak, burgers, and more!
  • Baked Zucchini Fries - Crispy and delicious zucchini fries that are baked in the oven!
  • Succotash - This hearty succotash is loaded with veggies, butter beans, and bacon!
  • Instant Pot Collard Greens - Collard greens are a Southern staple and the Instant Pot makes them super easy to prepare!
  • Creamed Kale - A rich and creamy dish that is loaded with cheese, butter, and kale!
  • Southern Corn Fritters - These tasty fritters are quick to make and super delicious!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card

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4.93 from 14 reviews

Sauteed Onions

Sauteed onions have a flavor that is ever-so-slightly sweet when cooked correctly, and they can be used to elevate almost any main course! With just 3 ingredients, you can have delicious sauteed onions to top your burgers, for fajitas, as a side dish, and so much more! These are so easy to make, and they make a welcome addition to almost any dish!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 88kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 15 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 large yellow onion (yellow sweet onion, or white onion)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Peel and slice your onion into thin slices then separate the slices into rings.
  • Heat a skillet or non-stick frying pan with the olive oil over medium heat until the oil just begins to shimmer. Once the oil shimmers, add the sliced onions and spread into an even layer.
  • Saute for about 10 minutes, or until the onions and are tender and lightly golden brown in color. Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Don’t overcook. Cooking much longer than listed here will either lead to burning or caramelized onions. The latter is also delicious but has a different, sweeter taste than sauteed and is the texture of jam.
  • Cut onions however you want them. There is no rule about how you should cut onions to saute. The steps for doing so are the same. 
  • Add butter. If you’d like to add butter for flavor, add it towards the end of cooking. As mentioned above, butter can make the onions cook faster and burn if not careful. Toward the end, it will just serve to add flavor. 
  • To store: Cool any leftovers then transfer them into an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat: Sauteed onions are best reheated in a skillet over low heat until they reach your desired temperature. Once warmed to your satisfaction, remove from heat and serve!

Nutrition

Calories: 88kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 7g (11%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 152mg (7%) | Potassium: 99mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 4g (4%) | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg (5%) | Calcium: 17mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Side Dish, vegetable side dish
Cuisine American

« Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Vegetable Oil Substitute »

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Comments

    4.93 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

    Thanks for coming! Ask anything - or let me know what you think: Cancel reply

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  1. Carlo Murara says

    December 09, 2023 at 2:09 am

    4 stars
    Buono lo proverò per preparare un filetto di maiale
    "Good, I'll try it to prepare a pork fillet"

    Reply
  2. Kimmy says

    June 13, 2023 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    Excellent side dish for grilled steaks!

    Reply

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Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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