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Caramelised 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.
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.
Quick Caramelised Onions
Making caramelised onions doesn’t need to take hours, I’ve developed this recipe to take 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.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the few ingredients I used:
- 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 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 each.
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.
How To Make Caramelised Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers
Ready to get cooking? Here’s a summary of how I make these fried onions. You can get the full recipe instructions on the recipe card below:
Step One:
I cut the onions in half, slice the ends off and peel away the onion skin. With a sharp knife, I slice the onion into thin strips (cut the onions from pole to pole).
Step Two:
A pan is heated on a medium heat, and I add oil and butter to the pan. Once the butter has melted, the sliced onions are added to the pan, and I fry them for 7 to 8 minutes or until the onions have softened.
Step Three:
I add sugar and balsamic vinegar and mix it into the onions until it’s evenly distributed. I continue to fry the onions for 1 to 2 minutes to help caramelise the onions then I remove it from the heat and enjoy.
My Top Tips
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! I like to sprinkle this over rice or add it to my southern fried chicken wrap or sandwiches.
What To Serve With Caramelised Onions
Though they taste amazing on homemade cheeseburgers, chicken burgers and other BBQ snacks, they also go well with many other dishes.
I like them inside my chicken shish kebab wraps and in sandwiches like this creamy chicken mayo sandwich or coronation chicken sandwich.
You could also take more of an unusual turn and serve these caramelised onions with cheese scones or these cheese and bacon scones.
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.
Fried Onions For Hot Dogs & Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 2 Onions
- 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tsp Sugar
Instructions
- 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).2 Onions
- 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.1 tbsp Butter, 1 tbsp Oil, 2 Onions
- 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.2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar, 1 tsp Sugar
Video
Notes
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 looking onions, cut them into long lines pole to pole.Nutrition
Music in video from Uppbeat, License code: 08VBCZFHCZBZDBBY
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