Ingredients
It’s incredible how delicious food can be with few ingredients and a simple cooking method. You only need a little oil and a pinch of salt and pepper to bring out the flavors while cooking red onions to get that gorgeous caramelization. Here’s what you’ll need:
Red onions: When you’re at the grocery store, look for large onions that are free firm and free of bruises with their peppery skin still intact. Extra virgin olive oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil (or another oil with a high smoke point) to get that nice caramelization for your roasted onion slices. Another good option that can withstand high cooking temperatures is avocado oil. Seasonings: The beauty of this recipe is that you only need a tiny bit of seasoning to get a lot of flavor. Kosher salt and black pepper will do the job of bringing out the natural sweetness of red onions.
How To Cook Red Onions in The Oven?
Cooking red onions is so quick, you’ll wonder how you’ve never tried it before. Your new favorite topping will be ready to serve on the dinner table in less than half an hour. Here’s the best way to make this tasty dish:
Garlic Powder: Like garlic, onions are part of the allium family. You can season the onions with a dash or two of garlic powder for a savory note. Balsamic vinegar: Tossing them with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar is an easy way to infuse them with an even deeper flavor, thereby taking this easy recipe to the next level. Balsamic roasted red onions are especially ideal for topping salads. Spices: You can use a variety of spices for your baked red onion recipe, depending on what you’re making them with. Dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary are good choices for savory dishes. Brown Sugar: It is optional, but you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar (or coconut sugar) if you want sweeter onions. The sugar will enhance the caramelization and help release more of its juices. Fresh Herbs: I love finishing a dish with fresh herbs. The brightness of the herbs balances the deep roasted taste of the onions. Try fresh thyme, dill, parsley, or anything else you like.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
We love the fact that baked red onion is a condiment that stores well. Here’s how we store and reheat leftovers:
Storing: Let your oven-roasted sliced onions cool to room temperature. Keep them fresh in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheating: You can enjoy this recipe either hot or cold, but if you’d prefer it hot, you can reheat it in three ways. Oven: Put the roasted onions in an oven-proof baking dish with a splash of water. Roast them in preheated 350 degrees F. oven until heated through for about 8-10 minutes. Sautee: Add the red caramelized onions to a saucepan with oil and sautee until thoroughly warmed. Microwave: Place onions in a microwave-safe container with a splash of water. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until heated through.
How to Use Roasted Red Onions in Your Daily Cooking?
There are countless ways you can use this condiment. The real question is, what don’t they go with? Here are a few uses for red onions:
Salads: Caramelized onions pair beautifully with salads, especially if you use cheese in your salads. This La Scala Salad recipe is a prime example. The sweet tang from the onions is absolutely heavenly with feta or goat cheese. You can use butter lettuce or spring mix like in my Goat Cheese and Beet Salad. Another option is to replace the raw red onions in this Friends Salad recipe with cooked red onions. Pizzas & Taco Topping: Roasting onion to add on top of pizza will please any crowd. They’re also a great topping option for taco recipes like my Black Bean, Quinoa Tacos, and Beef Brisket Tacos. Burgers, Sandwiches, and Wraps: Red onion is a staple for burgers, sandwiches, and wraps, so why not swap them out with its roasted version? Sink your teeth into a Guacamole Bacon Burger or Greek Pita Wraps topped with roasted red onion slices! Cooked Grains and Grain Bowls: Grain bowls are fun because the toppings are limitless. I love adding roasted onions to dishes like my Lemon Quinoa. Have fun with a variation like roasted balsamic onions for this Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl. They provide the overall dish with a lovely texture and a slightly sweet bite. Dips and salsas: These baked red onions can be the final colorful touch to dishes like Peach Salsa and Pineapple Mango Salsa.
Other Roasted Vegetables You Might Like
Oven Baked Portobello Mushrooms Roasted Whole Butternut Squash Baked Asparagus
If you try this Roasted Red Onions recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
Slice them evenly: It is important that the onion slices are cut evenly (about ¼-inch thickness) to ensure even baking. You can cut them thicker but again, make sure they are even in size. Coat with oil and season well: Take your time when coating the slices with olive oil and seasoning them with salt and pepper. This is an important step in making sure that they are perfectly caramelized and ready to use in recipes. Do not overcrowd the pan: It is important to spread them on a single layer when baking. If you are making this recipe for a crowd (using more onions), we recommend using two baking sheets or cooking them in batches. Flip/Rotate: Do not forget to stir (or flip) the onion slices as they are roasting. Doing so ensures even browning and prevents them from burning. Customize: Feel free to make it your own and customize it to fit the dish you intend to incorporate them into. Enhance the flavors by using various spices and fresh herbs to complement your meal.
