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!
Sauteed onions are so easy, and they make a welcome addition to almost any dish!
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.
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Check out this recipe for detailed tips for getting it right! Once you learn, it’ll become second nature.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
Super Simple! There’s 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 Skill! Nothing makes you feel like your channeling some Master Chef skills like mastering basics like knife-work for slicing these onions, and the actual saute!
🥘 Ingredients
A little salt and pepper is all the seasoning you need. Let the flavor of the onions shine!
- 1 large Yellow Onion - You can also use a yellow sweet or white onion.
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Cooking in olive oil will keep the onions from cooking too quickly or burning, because it has a higher smoke point than butter.
- ¼ teaspoon each, Salt & Pepper - These simple spices add great flavor! There’s only three steps! You’ll need a cutting board, a chef’s knife, and a skillet.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
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!
- 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.
- Heat the skillet. Pour 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in 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.
- 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.
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!
💭 Angela's 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 are 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. Towards 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
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!
🧅 More Great Vegetable Side Dishes!
📋 Recipe
Sauteed Onions
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion (yellow sweet onion, or white onion)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Peel and slice your onion into thin slices then separate the slices into rings.1 large yellow onion
- 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.2 tablespoon olive oil
- 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.¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
Equipment You May Need
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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