Whole 30 Paleo Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions are one of those kitchen staples that make everything they touch taste more luxurious, and this version keeps things completely clean without sacrificing a single bit of that deep, jammy sweetness. Avocado oil does the heavy lifting here, providing a neutral, high-heat-friendly fat that lets the onions do their slow, golden transformation without any off-flavors. The real magic happens over low, patient heat — nearly an hour of gentle cooking coaxes out the natural sugars in the yellow onions until they collapse into something rich, glossy, and almost buttery in texture. A pinch of fine sea salt draws out moisture early on, and the optional splash of balsamic vinegar at the end adds a subtle tang that makes the whole thing feel almost restaurant-worthy. Many store-bought caramelized onion products sneak in added sugars or preservatives that can derail a clean eating streak, so making your own from scratch is genuinely the smarter move. Pile these onto compliant burgers, stir them into soups, fold them into egg dishes, or use them as a savory topping for just about anything — the possibilities are endless and every single one is worth it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 large yellow onions (about 2 lb), halved and thinly sliced
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the avocado oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- 2
Add the sliced onions and salt, then stir to coat evenly in the oil. Cook, stirring every 3–4 minutes, until the onions have wilted and released most of their moisture, about 10 minutes.
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