Caramelized Onions Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa
Elevate your culinary creations with Ina Garten's signature caramelized onions, a Barefoot Contessa classic that transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful masterpiece. This recipe combines tender, golden-yellow onions with olive oil, unsalted butter, and a touch of kosher salt and black pepper, cooked low and slow to unlock their natural sweetness. Optional sugar can be added for an extra layer of richness, making these onions the perfect addition to burgers, sandwiches, pasta, or a savory tart. With just 10 minutes of prep and a slow simmer of 45 minutes, this versatile side dish develops a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture and an irresistible sweet-savory balance. Perfect for meal prep, these caramelized onions can be stored and used to enhance dishes throughout the week. Discover how this simple technique can bring gourmet flair to your everyday meals!
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Ingredients
- 4 large Yellow onions
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional, for sweeter onions)
Directions
Step 1
Peel the onions and cut them in half lengthwise. Slice them into thin half-moons about 1/8-inch thick.
Step 2
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
Step 3
Add the sliced onions to the skillet and toss them gently to coat in the oil and butter mixture.
Step 4
Sprinkle the onions with kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar (if using). Mix well to evenly season.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to medium-low and spread the onions out evenly across the pan. Let them cook, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, for about 40-45 minutes.
Step 6
As the onions cook, they will soften, release their natural sugars, and turn a rich golden brown. Stir every 5-10 minutes to ensure even caramelization. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent sticking or burning.
Step 7
If the onions begin to stick to the pan, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and scrape up any browned bits.
Step 8
Once the onions are deeply caramelized and soft, remove them from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if desired.
Step 9
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (676.3g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 840.5 |
| Total Fat 66.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 20.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 62mg | 0% |
| Sodium 616.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 61.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 29.8g | |
| Protein 6.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 134.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 1.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 891.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories