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–+ servings
Hamburger on a grey plate with sauteed onions and curly fries.
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5 from 2 votes

How to Sauté Onions For Burgers

Learn how to sauté onions for burgers perfectly, elevating your burgers from ordinary to extraordinary! With just a sizzle in the pan, these caramelized onions add a burst of sweet and savory flavor that will make your taste buds sing.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Sides
Cuisine: American
Keyword: burger topping, caramelized onions, easy, grilling, hamburgers, July 4th, quick, sautéd onions, summer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 33kcal
Author: Bethany Galloway

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey optional
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.
    Adding oil to a non-stick skillet.
  • When the oil is hot, add the sliced raw onions to the skillet.
    Sliced raw red onions in a skillet with oil.
  • Sauté the onions for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Tip: if they stick, add a splash of water to help deglaze the pan.
    Wooden spoon stirring red onions in a non-stick skillet.
  • After 5 minutes as the onions begin to turn translucent, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and add half a teaspoon of honey.
    Adding salt to caramelized onions in a non-stick skillet.
  • Continue to sauté until the onions are soft with a few browned bits, about 10 more minutes.
  • Serve immediately on top of the burger or burger salad.

Notes

  • Type of onion: You can use any kind of onion for this recipe, other than green onions or spring onions. Red onions, white, yellow onions, brown, and Vidalia all taste delicious sautéed.
  • Balsamic vinegar: For a tangy twist, add 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar.
  • Red wine: Another variation, add a little red wine to the onions instead of honey. About 1-2 teaspoons will work!
  • Size: Large onions will take a little longer to cook than small onions. You can also make a big batch by caramelizing 2-3 onions. Be sure to adjust the seasoning to taste.

Storage instructions

  • Store any leftover sauteed onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat the cooked onions in the microwave or in a pot on the stove until heated through.
  • Freeze caramelized onions in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 146mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g