Post first written in January 2015, refreshed and updated November 2021

Onions are a flavour powerhouse. They are sweet, savoury and pungent all at once. Caramelised onions have all that umami flavour concentrated and are very useful

In Meal Plan 2, there are 750g of onions left after all the recipes have been made, so I thought I’d use them to make this very useful condiment to use as you wish throughout the week. Onions cooked this way are delicious and very versatile. This quantity will make about 1 jam jar full.

Use a spoonful with plain pancakes (without the raisins), on the side with tomato dhal, with the olive drop scones, with the pasta, tomato, olives and soft cheese, or anywhere else you would like some.
And if you aren’t following Meal Plan 2, they are a useful addition to any kitchen cupboard.

What do I need to make caramelised onions

To make a standard jam jar full

▢ 750 g onion
▢ 2 tblsp oil
▢ splash of water, as needed

How To Make Caramelised Onions

• Peel and slice the onions into crescents.
• Cook slowly, covered, for 30-45 minutes, over a low heat in 2 tbslps of oil.
• Keep stirring them every few minutes and make sure they don’t catch. If they look like they might, add a couple of tblsps of water.
• Long, slow cooking caramelises the sugars and brings out the sweetness of onions, enabling them to be used as a condiment and the process can’t be hurried.
• Store in the fridge, in a lidded jam jar or similar.

Long, slow cooking caramelises the sugars and brings out the sweetness of onions, enabling them to be used as a condiment. We don’t have any other flavourings available in Meal Plan 2, and the onions are delicious just as they are.

Sometimes, recipes will say to add a little sugar. But to my mind, that is trying to take a shortcut to the delicious caramelisation process that brings out the natural sweetness of onions. This is one of those recipes that needs a little patience for best results.

Variations for Caramelised Onions

• If you do have flavourings in your larder, it will be worth experimenting, or ringing the changes.
  • A bit of butter,
  • balsamic vinegar
  • try red or white onions, or a mixture of both
  • or a tblsp of muscovado will all help deepen the flavour.
  • Or perhaps a few thyme leaves,
  • or bay,
  • or possibly rosemary infused in with the cooking onions.
  • try cooking your onions in a slow cooker on Low for 12 hours, keep the lid ajar for the last couple of hours to reduce the liquid

For meal plan 2, use your onions throughout the week to add flavour wherever you want it. Add a spoonful in your lentil soup, or add a little to the pasta or stuffed pancakes, use as a side with the Tomato Dahl. If you’re not following the meal plan, they can be used to flavour hummus, in onion tarts and are simply delicious as a sandwich filling with cheese or cold meats.

These feature in Meal Plan 2, a complete 7 day plan for 2 adults. Contains 3 meals a day, plus snacks, all recipes and a shopping list

Other recipes using onions

Chicken Pizza with onions and peppers – Stretch A Chicken (3)

Peanut Oat Cakes with Roasted Onions and Green Pea Hummus

Cipolline in Agrodolce (Onions in Sweet and Sour Sauce)