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Side Dishes

Caramelized Red Onions

Caramelized red onions, also called caramelized Tropea onions, are a sweet and sour appetizer or side dish for Christmas lunches and dinners and beyond.
Recipe Caramelized Red Onions
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Preparation 10 minutes
  • Cooking 2 hours
  • Servings for 6 people

Caramelized Red Onions make a tasty side dish or an appetizer that is truly unique: their sweet and sour flavor goes perfectly with fish or meat main courses, making them even more flavorful. Although you can serve them all year round, this recipe is ideal for the Christmas holidays.

This caramelized red onion recipe is perfect for anyone who loves sweet and sour flavors and the contrast between sweet and savory: your guests will surely go crazy for these caramelized Tropea onions, the sweet red onions of Calabria. In this recipe you’ll learn how to make caramelized red onions using red onions, brown sugar, honey, balsamic vinegar and a little red wine.

The unique flavor of red onions, milder and sweeter than white onions, combined with the other ingredients makes a colorful dish with an unmistakable taste, perfect as a side for boiled meats and oven-baked main courses or as a tasty appetizer on bread or polenta crostini. For perfect caramelized red onions with balsamic vinegar and red wine we recommend cooking them long and slow: the longer the onions cook, the more tender they become.

Ingredients for 6 people

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Method

  1. To make the caramelized red onions, start by peeling the onions, then slice them and put them in a skillet. Add a little water, the brown sugar, a pinch of salt and the honey.
    Making caramelized red onions, photo 1
    Making caramelized red onions, photo 3
  2. Mix everything well and put the skillet over the heat, cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for a few minutes. When the onions start to soften, add the wine and the balsamic vinegar, mix well and lower the heat. Cook for 2 hours, adding a little water from time to time as needed.
    Making caramelized red onions, photo 4
    Making caramelized red onions, photo 6
  3. Once the onions are very tender and caramelized, they are ready to be served and enjoyed. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!
    Caramelized red onions ready to serve

Variations and Alternatives

If you don’t have brown sugar, you can replace it with the same amount of granulated sugar.

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Tips

For perfect caramelized red onions, we recommend cooking them long and slow, adding a little water from time to time. This recipe also makes a great Christmas gift: pack the onions in pretty jars and you’re all set.

Storage

You can store the caramelized Tropea onions in an airtight container in the fridge for up to ten days.

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