Add a touch of caramelized perfection with this simple and adaptable recipe!
Despite my picky palate, onions were my favorite pizza topping as a child. Not sausage, pepperoni, or plain cheese—onions. Needless to say, none of my friends wanted a slice. Boy, were they missing out! These days, however, I prefer to eat my onions on their own, without the pizza.
Roasted onions are a delightful addition to any meal, offering a rich, caramelized flavor that pairs well with a variety of dishes. That high oven heat brings out the onions’ natural sugars, so you get a slightly sweet and tender side dish. And to think all this deliciousness comes from the simple yellow onion.
I also love this recipe because you can add roasted onions on top of other dishes (and not just pizza). Want something yummy to add to your avocado toast? Top it with some roasted onions. Need a vegetable in your spaghetti? Cut up your roasted onions and add them to your sauce. It’s the perfect vegetable to have on hand because it goes with just about anything under the sun.
Are Roasted Onions Healthy?
Considering the only fat used in this recipe is olive oil, I’d say yes; you bet it’s healthy! I love olive oil because it actually contains healthy fats. Keep in mind that “extra-virgin olive oil” is the healthiest one to use due to its high levels of antioxidants.
Now, let’s talk about the onions! For such an inexpensive vegetable, onions are loaded with health benefits like vitamins, minerals and fiber. So, which vitamins will you get from this yummy vegetable? Onions are a source of vitamins C and B6. The fiber that’s also in onions will help your gut health! Onions even contain some calcium and iron.
The Maillard Reaction
Ever heard of the Maillard reaction? Basically, it happens when amino acids and reducing sugars in food (like onions) are exposed to high heat, creating a surprisingly complex, rich flavor. The process ups the savory-sweet taste of the onions. And by the way, this isn’t exclusive to onions. Everything from meats to marshmallows benefits from the Maillard reaction! Pretty cool, huh? Yay, science!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
I prefer making this dish fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. As always, use an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
As I mentioned before, these onions make a great topping for pizza. You could also put them on any savory soup like this Coconut Curry Soup that will be just perfect on a cold night.
And if you’re a brisket fan, roasted onions and Herb-Roasted Potatoes are the perfect side dish. Seriously, they go together like peanut butter and jelly. The roasted onions are also a delicious garnish for Instant-Pot Steak and Air-Fryer Whole Chicken. Heck, I’ve even tossed them in with Angel Hair Pasta! No matter what you decide to do with them, you won’t ever be disappointed!
Ingredients
- 4 medium, yellow onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Peel the onions and slice off the ends. Cut into halves or quarters, depending on size.
- Arrange the onion pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the onions and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until onions are tender and edges are caramelized.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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