Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
What’s not to love about sweet caramelized onions made in the slow cooker? They are so delicious and can be added to practically any meal. Even better, they are so easy to make! It’s as simple as chopping onions into slices, throwing them in the crockpot with butter, sugar and salt, closing the lid… and you’re done! We grow lots of onions in our garden so this is one of our favorite ways to preserve them. After they are cooked in the crockpot, we transfer to ice cube trays and freeze. Caramelized onions take 5-6 hours on HIGH in the crockpot. This recipe makes approximately 2-3 cups of caramelized onions. Need them quicker? Try my Quick Caramelized Red Onions. Looking for more yellow onion recipes? Check out my Onion Sandwich, Fried Corn and Onions, Homemade Onion Powder and Bangers and Mash with Beef Onion Gravy. For red onions, check out my Red Onion Jam and Red Onion Chutney!
Best onions for caramelizing
Yellow onions tend to be sweeter so they’re best for caramelizing. We grow “candy” yellow onions in the garden which have a rich sweet flavor.
Ingredients
How To Make Caramelized Onions in the Crockpot
This recipe calls for 3 pounds of sliced onions. I use my 6 quart Slow Cooker and the onions take up about 75% of the space when they begin. Peeling and slicing 3 pounds of onions is tough business so if you have sensitive eyes like me I suggest wearing sunglasses while doing this and opening a window if you live in an apartment. Add all of the ingredients into a large slow cooker and stir so the butter coats the onions. Cook on HIGH until the onions are soft. For me this usually takes 5 hours. Serve with your favorite dish or freeze the onions for later (directions below). So easy, right?
Freezing Caramelized Onions
Freezing caramelized onions is our main way to preserve them. Allow to cool and then place in ice cube trays to freeze. Once frozen, pop them out and then throw them in a freezer bag to freeze.
When ready to use them, grab a couple cubes out of the bag and defrost in the microwave.
Caramelized onions will last 6-8 months in the freezer.
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