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Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions – sweet and buttery caramelized onions that are all done in your crockpot. They turn out perfectly every time, without standing over and stirring the whole time!

I love caramelized onions and use them in a LOT of different ways. But they can take forever to cook on the stove top, and can be so finicky to get just right. You can’t have them too hot, too low, stir just the right amount etc.

Making caramelized onions in the crockpot is very hands off, and they turn out perfectly every single time!

caramelized onions on a fork

 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • So easy, very hands off! You really just have to stir them a couple times during the whole cooking process, so you really can just forget about them.
  • Really fool-proof. Anyone can make these, no questions asked. It isn’t very beginner level recipe with expert level results!
  • It looks like it makes a lot, but you can use them in a lot of different recipes, and they last for awhile in the fridge, so don’t worry you are making too much.

What You’ll Need

  • Large Sweet Onions
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Sugar
caramelized onion ingredients

How To Make Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  1. Thinly slice onions and arrange in the base of your crockpot. Separate the rings, so it will pile up rather high.
  2. Sprinkle salt and sugar evenly over the top and arrange little pats of butter over the top of the onions.
  3. Place the lid on and cook on high for 5 hours. No need to stir during this time.
  4. After 5 hours, stir the onions. They will be a light golden color with lots of liquid in the bottom.
  5. Cover, with the lid propped open slightly for the moisture to escape. Cook for 2 more hours.
  6. After 2 hours the onions should be a deep golden color with the liquid all evaporated .
  7. Remove the onions and serve as desired.
sliced onions and butter in a crockpot

How To Serve Caramelized Onions

cooked onions in a crockpot with a wooden spoon
Can I Freeze Caramelized Onions?

Yes, they actually freeze really well. So if you make a very large amount, you can divide them into smaller portions, what you would use for each recipe, and store in an airtight container or in a zip top plastic bag, so you can flatten to get the air out, in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge and then use as called for or desired in a recipe.

What Onions Do I Use?

You want to use something that is labeled as a sweet onion. Vidalia onions are the most common and are delicious. But lots of stores will have a sweet yellow or white onion, you can use whatever is available.

Can I Use Oil?

Yes, I called for butter in the recipe, and often times when I make it on the stovetop I use a combination of both. So you can use whatever you like. You need about 4 Tablespoons for 3 large onions, so any combination up to that amount will work great.

How Do You Store Leftovers?

Caramelized onions are great leftover. Just put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can warm them up in a skillet or just add them to the recipe as called for.

caramelized onions in a bowl

More Crockpot Recipes To Try

close up caramelized onions for pinterest
Yield: 2 cups

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

close up caramelized onions on a fork

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions - sweet and buttery caramelized onions that are all done in your crockpot. They turn out perfectly every time, without standing over and stirring the whole time!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 large softball sized sweet onions
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice onions and arrange in the base of your crockpot. Separate the rings, so it will pile up rather high.
  2. Sprinkle salt and sugar evenly over the top and arrange little pats of butter over the top of the onions. sliced onions and butter in a crockpot
  3. Place the lid on and cook on high for 5 hours. No need to stir during this time.
  4. After 5 hours, stir the onions. They will be a light golden color with lots of liquid in the bottom. cooked onions in a crockpot with a wooden spoon
  5. Cover, with the lid propped open slightly for the moisture to escape. Cook for 2 more hours. lid of crockpot propped opwn
  6. After 2 hours the onions should be a deep golden color with the liquid all evaporated .
  7. Remove the onions and serve as desired.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 66Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 15mgSodium 313mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 0g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

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mignone

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Can I add balsamic vinegar too? As normally I do it with balsamic vinegar. Thanks.

karen

Monday 13th of February 2023

OMG! Thank you so much. I have been trying to caramelize onions forever and it never works. I either burn them or they are under cooked. I can't wait to try this method.

kathy winchester

Thursday 9th of February 2023

Can these be put in the freezer

Erin S

Thursday 9th of February 2023

Absolutely! I like to put them in a freezer safe plastic bag, so I can press all the air out and store them flat. They will last for probably 5-6 months.

Catalina

Wednesday 8th of February 2023

I use caramelized onion a lot in my kitchen! I will make your recipe next time!

Sandra

Tuesday 7th of February 2023

I tried it and it turned out really good! Will make caramelized onion this way from now on!

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