Sautéed Onions

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!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 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

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.

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