Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

5 from 2 votes
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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
close up caramelized onions on a fork
5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

By Erin
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: 10 minutes
Cook: 7 hours
Total: 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients 

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

Instructions 

  • Thinly slice onions and arrange in the base of your crockpot. Separate the rings, so it will pile up rather high.
  • 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
  • Place the lid on and cook on high for 5 hours. No need to stir during this time.
  • 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
  • Cover, with the lid propped open slightly for the moisture to escape. Cook for 2 more hours.
    lid of crockpot propped opwn
  • After 2 hours the onions should be a deep golden color with the liquid all evaporated .
  • Remove the onions and serve as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 313mg | Sugar: 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 66
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About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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8 Comments

  1. This is the easiest way I’ve ever seen to make caramelized onions! I love this because I put caramelized onions in just about everything, so I can’t wait to make these.

    1. 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.

  2. 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.