AIP Friendly Caramelized Onions
Few things in cooking are as deeply satisfying as a pile of slow-cooked onions that have transformed into something silky, sweet, and deeply savory. This recipe keeps things beautifully simple — just yellow onions, olive oil, salt, apple cider vinegar, and optional fresh thyme, all of which fit cleanly within autoimmune protocol guidelines without any substitutions or workarounds needed. The low-and-slow method is the real magic here: patience over medium to medium-low heat coaxes out the natural sugars until the onions collapse into a glossy, amber-brown tangle that tastes almost like it shouldn't be this easy. A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens everything up and gives the finished onions a subtle tang that keeps them from feeling one-note. This makes four servings, but honestly it's worth doubling the batch because caramelized onions disappear fast — pile them onto compliant burgers, stir them into soups, or eat them straight from the pan. The ingredient list is short, the technique is forgiving, and the result is one of those foundational recipes that quietly elevates everything else on the table.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 3 lb yellow onions (about 4 large), halved and thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the sliced onions and salt, and stir to coat evenly.
- 2
Cook, stirring every 3–4 minutes, until the onions have softened and collapsed and are beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low if the onions are browning faster than they are softening.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!