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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Side Dishes » Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

by Sarah Olson on April 14, 2022 | Updated June 18, 2022 7 Comments

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Collage of caramelized onions with text of what the ingredients are.
collage of caramelized onions with text overlay for pinterest

If you love caramelized onions, the sweet and buttery flavor of this slow cooker caramelized onions recipe is one you’ll be craving in future meals, especially when you see how easy they are to make.

When cooked the traditional way, these have been cooked on the stovetop with lots of standing and stirring happening in the process. You can skip sticking around in the kitchen for this simple crockpot recipe. Making caramelized onions has never been easier!

cooked caramelized onions in the slow cooker

Can I Make Caramelized Onions in the Slow Cooker?

It may not have crossed your mind before using the slow cooker for cooking caramelized onions, but yes, you can! The prep time is so short and easy that you’ll wonder why you haven’t taken this route sooner. Not to mention, the onion only needs to slow for just a few hours.

Cooking caramelized onions in the crockpot doesn’t require any extra ingredients and not nearly as much stirring as the saucepan option. You can thank us later!

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for caramelized onions on table
  • Sweet yellow onions – typically known as Vidalia onions- are the best for frying and caramelizing. They are large onions, have thinner skin, and usually break down fairly quickly, creating a golden brown color when caramelized.
  • Butter – melted butter serves as both a cooking oil and flavor booster for this caramelized onions recipe.
  • Seasonings – salt and sugar are both used for added delicious flavor. We particularly use white granulated sugar, which is known to compliment the onions’ natural sweetness. You can use balsamic vinegar if you want a touch of sweetness and a punch of flavor.

Step-by-Step Directions

2 steps on how to add ingredients to slow cooker for caramelized onions

Step One – Add sliced onions and quartered butter into the crockpot.

Step Two – Top with salt and sugar. Cover and cook on High for 5 hours. At this point, you will have a lot of liquid in the onions. Stir and set the lid ajar—Cook for 2 more hours on high. Serve and Enjoy!

2 images of cooked onions in crockpot

How to serve:

  • Barbecued Main Dishes – Hot dogs, steaks, burgers, grilled chicken, etc. are the perfect meat bases for a caramelized onion topping.
  • Onion Dip – Make an onion dip. When you caramelize onions, save some for making this yummy dip.
  • Pasta – adds a deep flavor to any pasta dish.
  • Soups & Sandwiches – caramelized onions add a fantastic flavor and condiment choice to soups and sandwiches. We often make French Onion Soup.
  • Pizza – adding these onions as a pizza topping will take your meal to a new level.
bowl of browned caramelized onions

Recipe FAQs

How do I make these in a big batch?

If you’d like to make more, simply double or triple the recipe. You will have to add an additional few hours.

Can these be frozen for later use?

Absolutely. They actually freeze quite well and defrost to taste as though they were just cooked. We recommend freezing them in small portions according to how you think they’ll be used. Be sure to use freezer bags or containers to maintain freshness. You can also freeze the onions in ice cube trays. The onions will last three months in the freezer.

Can I use a different type of onion?

Red onions (also known as purple onions) would be the choice in line for caramelizing as they can also be on the sweeter side than other options. You won’t necessarily have that walnut color but more of a grayish color. Overall, you’ll want to stick with the sweet onions.

Can I use olive oil instead of butter?

Yes. 4 tablespoons of butter is equivalent to 3 tablespoons of oil.

I have brown sugar on hand. Could I use that instead?

Although we recommend granulated white sugar, you can use brown sugar. It may change the taste just slightly.

Can I use more butter?

You can, though your onions will have a lighter color, for they won’t be able to brown as much in the extra liquid. But it will be very buttery and delicious.

onions on fork

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cooked caramelized onions in the slow cooker

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

4.88 from 8 votes
A hands-off way to make caramelized onions for a crowd is by using your crockpto!
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours hours
Total Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 115kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 10 cups sliced sweet yellow onions (1/4 inch thick) 2.5-3lbs. of onions (weighed before peeling).
  • 4 Tbsp. salted butter sliced in pieces or cubed
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. white sugar (or use 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • (Note this has a 7 hour total cooking time)
    Peel and slice onions, about ¼ inch thick.
  • Place onions in a slow cooker.
  • Place the cut butter on top of the onions.
  • Sprinkle salt and sugar.
  • Cover and cook on High for 5 hours.
  • At this point, you will have a lot of liquid in the onions. Stir and set the lid ajar. Cook for 2 more hours on high.
  • Serve and Enjoy!
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Recipe Notes:

Can I make a bigger batch?
If you’d like to make more, simply double or triple the recipe. You will have to add an additional few hours.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely. They actually freeze quite well and defrost to taste as though they were just cooked. We recommend freezing them in small portions according to how you think they’ll be used. Be sure to use freezer bags or containers to maintain freshness. The onions will last three months in the freezer.
Can I use a different type of onion?
Red onions (also known as purple onions) would be the choice in line for caramelizing as they can also be on the sweeter side than other options. You won’t necessarily have that walnut color but more of a grayish color. Overall, you’ll want to stick with the sweet onions.
Can I use more butter? 
You can, though your onions will have a lighter color for they won’t be able to brown as much in the extra liquid. But will be very buttery and delicious.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 177IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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    1440 shares
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    Filed Under: Side Dishes

    Comments

    1. Drayton says

      September 16, 2023 at 8:48 am

      5 stars
      I’m going to triple this and freeze for so many things Thanks

      Reply
    2. JONESCRUSHER says

      September 3, 2023 at 7:32 pm

      I have a found a recipe for caramelized onions. it requires you to slow cook them for 24 hours. You also do not add oil or butter to it. It also tells you to use 5 pounds of onions. I’m going to have to make both recipes. Then Compare them

      Reply
    3. Bonnie says

      July 19, 2023 at 11:10 pm

      Made this yesterday following recipe exactly. It was sooo good. Kept sampling as it cooked so only had one serving left when cooking finished. It was fantastic. Today I trippled recipe so I’ll have enough to actually serve. Just love it.

      Reply
    4. Molly says

      December 31, 2022 at 3:55 pm

      4 stars
      Trying this recipe tonight – for crock-pot caramelized onions – with a few variations. Only had white onions, so I added a bit more sugar. Used a crockpot liner, and set on LOW for an 8-hour (overnight) cooking time. Wish me luck!

      Reply
    5. Sheila says

      November 20, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      This is similar to how I make my french onion soup recipe: but I place a tea towel over the crock pot before placing the lid. It absorbs lots of moisture. I will have to try your way of leaving the lid ajar. Great recipe

      Reply
    6. Diane says

      April 24, 2022 at 8:14 am

      Would this make good french onion soup and do you have a recipe for french onion soup?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 24, 2022 at 12:01 pm

        You can turn this into french onion soup by adding broth and cooking longer. Here is my french onion soup recipe, though the onions for it are made on the stove top.

        Reply

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