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.
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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!
- 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 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.
- 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!
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💭 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
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.
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!
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!
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📖 Recipe Card
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)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
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!
Carlo Murara says
Buono lo proverò per preparare un filetto di maiale
"Good, I'll try it to prepare a pork fillet"
Kimmy says
Excellent side dish for grilled steaks!