Fried Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers

Name: Fried Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Butter; 1 tbsp Oil; 2 Onions; 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar; 1 tsp Sugar

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How To Make Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers

This is your complete guide on how to make caramelised fried onions perfect for hot dogs and burgers. This recipe is quick, easy and is the perfect addition to any BBQ.

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Summer is here, so bring on the fried onions! It’s a must have topping for hot dogs and burgers that I can’t go without. It’s slightly sweet, tangy, soft and delicious – and most importantly, it’s so easy to make!

I make fried onions every summer and it’s always a big hit with my family and friends. It adds an extra layer of texture and flavour that cannot be missed.

If you have a BBQ coming up or just fancy a burger, then making these onions is a must, it will transform any sandwich to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Types Of Onions To Use

I recommend using yellow onions (also called brown onions) for this recipe. It caramelises well and has a mild flavour compared to red onions, this mild flavour is great for not overpowering the other flavours in your burger or hot dog.

You can of course use red onions or white onions if you like, I’ve used red onions to make this delicious homemade red onion chutney. You could also mix and match types of onions for a variety of tastes and flavours.

Watch How To Make It

Quick Caramelised Onions

Making caramelised onions doesn’t need to take hours, this recipe takes just 15 minutes including the time needed to slice the onions.

I add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar, this combo makes your fried onions turn brown and nicely caramelised. It’s only fried for a few minutes to make the texture tender, slightly crispy and far away from being mushy.

How Much Onions To Use

I used 2 onions for this recipe, one was large and the other was a small to medium sized onion. So, I decided to weigh them to give you an accurate measurement.

Together they both weighed 334g which is the equivalent of using two medium-sized onions which usually weigh between 150g to 200g.

Recipe Ingredients

Below are the few ingredients needed to make these caramelised onions:

Butter & Oil: Oil is needed to fry the onions and butter adds additional flavour. You can use only oil if you don’t want to use butter.
Onions: I recommend using yellow onions (brown onions) for this recipe, if you want, you can use red onions or white onions though the final taste will differ.
Balsamic Vinegar: A dark concentrated vinegar which adds a tangy, smoky and sweet flavour.
Sugar: I like to add dark brown sugar or light brown sugar, it adds sweetness and helps to brown the onions. Adding sugar is optional as onions do have natural sugars within.

Feel free to add salt and black pepper to taste, I personally feel that the caramelised onions taste perfect without salt or pepper, so I didn’t add it to this recipe.

How To Cut An Onion For Hot Dogs & Burgers

First things first, make sure you are using a sharp knife as this will make cutting an onion fairly easy.

When making caramelised onions, I like to slice the onions into thin lines (remember, the thinner you cook the onions the quicker they take to cook).

I start by peeling the skin and cutting the onion in half, then I lay the onion flat side down. The onion is then cut into fine long strips. If you want, you could also dice the onion into small chunks. However, for traditional hot dog and burger fried onions, cut them into long lines pole to pole.

How To Make Quick Caramelised Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers

Ready to get cooking? Below is a step-by-step guide on how to make fried caramelised onions for hot dogs and burgers. Full recipe instructions are on the recipe card:

Step One:

Cut the onions in half, slice the ends off and peel away the onion skin. With a sharp knife, slice the onion into thin strips (cut the onions from pole to pole).

Step Two:

Heat a pan on a medium heat and add oil and butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted, add the sliced onions to the pan and fry for 7 to 8 minutes or until the onions have softened.

Step Three:

Add sugar and balsamic vinegar and mix it into the onions until evenly distributed. Continue to fry the onions for 1 to 2 minutes to help caramelise the onions. Then remove from the heat and enjoy.

What To Serve With Caramelised Onions

There are so many foods and snacks that you can eat with caramelised onions, though they taste amazing on burgers and BBQ snacks, they also go well with many other dishes.

I’ve listed a few ideas and recipes below on what you can serve these quick caramelised onions with.

How Long To Fry Onions For Burgers

Frying the onions on a medium heat will take between 7 to 8 minutes to turn tender and the perfect texture and consistency for burgers.

If you want to caramelise the onions further with sugar and/or balsamic vinegar, then once you’ve added these ingredients, fry the onions for an extra 1 to 2 minutes. Make sure to always stir the onions occasionally to prevent burning and sticking.

My Top Tips For Frying Onions

If you’re making these fried onions for hot dogs or burgers in particular, then I recommend you make these caramelised onions in advance or at the same time as when you’re making the burgers. This will prevent the burgers or hot dogs from getting cold whilst you are making the onions.

Cook the onions on a medium heat or even at a low to medium heat if you want to be cautious. If the temperature is too high, then the onions will burn too quickly and this will alter the taste and texture.

Use a non-stick pan to prevent the onions from sticking to the pan.

If you have any leftover onions you can make these homemade crispy onions too!

How To Store

If you have any caramelised onions leftover, then you can keep it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days. That’s why you can also make this dish in advance!

You can also freeze this recipe too! To freeze, simply place the cooled caramelised onions in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place the onions in the fridge to defrost when you are ready to eat it.

FAQs

Do you boil or fry onions for hot dogs?

When making hot dogs the onions are fried on a medium heat until tender and soft. They can also be caramelised by adding sugar and balsamic vinegar to the fried onions. This makes the perfect addition to hot dogs.

Do you put raw or caramelised onions on burger?

Usually, burgers made at a BBQ have caramelised onions on it but you can also add raw onions instead. Caramelised onions are sweet and slightly tangy whilst raw onions have a sharper onion taste and a crisper texture.

Do you caramelise onions on low or high heat?

Caramelised onions are cooked on a medium heat, any higher can cause the onions to brown too quickly and burn.