These sautéed onions are quick and easy to make! They’re deeply flavorful, slightly sweet, and perfectly tender. Add these sautéed onions to a sandwich, salad, or simply enjoy them as a side dish!
What Makes These Sautéed Onions So Good
- They’re incredibly versatile and can be added to virtually anything! I love throwing some sautéed onions over my salads for a flavorful bite, or even adding them to a sandwich. Though my all-time favorite way to enjoy them are stuffed in a grilled cheese – YUM!
- They come together in just 15 minutes! Unlike caramelized onions which can take upwards of 45 minutes to make, these sautéed onions cook up quickly. Simply sauté in butter and oil for 10 minutes, then add salt and sauté for an additional 5 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness.
- Thanks to the sautéing process, they maintain their shape and delightful crunch! Sautéed onions are the perfect balance between soft and crispy.
Key Ingredients for Sautéed Onions
Onions – The type of onion you use in this recipe is entirely up to you! I prefer yellow onions for their naturally sweet flavor that becomes all the more apparent when sautéed. However, white onions or even red onions would taste delicious using this method. To prepare your onions for this recipe, start by slicing off the ends them removing the papery skin. Then, slice the onions down the center and lay the cut side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each onion half into 1/4-inch half moon slices.
Butter – Just a tablespoon of butter adds quite a bit of flavor and richness to this simple recipe! You have the option of omitting the butter, though I highly recommend you don’t. And if you’d like to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free, use a tablespoon of vegan butter instead!
Chef’s Tips
- Keep an eye on your onions while they cook! If the temperature is set too high, they could burn quickly. Therefore, check on the onions every few minutes, stirring each time. If they seem to be browning too much, simply lower the temperature a bit.
- If you’d like even sweeter sautéed onions, you can add a tablespoon of sugar if you’d like. I find that when these onions are cooked, they release enough natural sugar making them sweet enough for my taste. However, if you prefer a sweet side dish closer to caramelized onions, sprinkle in a tablespoon of sugar along with the salt in the last step.
- You can either store sautéed onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months! To reheat, simply pop in the microwave until warm throughout.
More Delicious Simple Side Dish Recipes
- Cheese Grits
- Whole30 Bacon Garlic Green Beans
- Grilled Eggplant Recipe
- Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- 20 Gluten Free Side Dishes
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Sautéed Onions
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 onions sliced, see Notes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.
- Add in the onions, toss to coat in the butter and oil then leave to cook for 10 minutes, stirring every minute or two.
- Sprinkle in the salt and cook for another 5 minutes or until desired doneness.
Notes
- Make it Vegan: Use one tablespoon of vegan butter instead of regular butter to make these sautéed onions vegan-friendly!
- Onions: I prefer yellow onions for this recipe, though you can use any type of onion you’d like.
Nutrition
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Hi! I’m Sam, a travel, food and fitness enthusiast from the New York metro area. I love creating new and inventive recipes, and my favorite part is sharing them with others. My love of food goes all the way back to my early childhood, I grew up cooking alongside my mom and Nonna – the two best cooks I know! When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m either planning my next vacation, spending time outdoors (preferably on a beach), or bingeing Netflix’s latest docu-series. My passion for eating and living well led me to create the blog and Instagram account, Sam Does Her Best, where I health-ify my favorite comfort foods. I’m a big believer that good-for-you food can still be exploding with flavor and (most importantly) easy to make. I’m thrilled to be here at 40 Aprons doing what I do best – creating, photographing, and sharing delicious recipes with you all!
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