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A splash of balsamic vinegar makes these Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions irresistibly good. You're going to need a stash for your freezer!
I'm tearing up.
My eyes aren't watering from all the onions I just sliced! I have tears of happiness because I have lots and lots and lots of caramelized onions stashed away in the freezer. And, I love caramelized onions. Using them in a dish is such an easy, healthy and delicious way to add richness and flavor. 🙂
I recently posted a recipe for Pumpkin Pizza with Caramelized Onions and made caramelized onions the traditional way. Of course, they were delicious and a vital topping for the pizza. But, I usually don't have time to stand over the stove-top and keep vigil over the onions for the length of time required. The entire time I wistfully glanced over at my freezer and wished some caramelized onions stowed away.
It was time to pull out the crock-pot and restock.
Tips for Making Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
For the most part, I make caramelized onions in the crock-pot like everyone else does. Slice the onions, toss them with olive oil and allow them to slow cook on low for 10 hours.
The one thing I do just a bit differently than most...I stir in a splash of balsamic vinegar at 10 hours, place the lid ajar and allow some of the liquid to evaporate for the next hour. The balsamic vinegar enhances the color and taste. But, it doesn't overwhelm the onions at all.
I also drain the onions before packaging them for storage. However, I don't throw away the precious juice. Instead, I freeze it and use it to flavor soups or dishes where broth might be appropriate.
Ways to Use Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
On burgers...on sandwiches...on pizza...in soups...tossed with vegetables (like green beans)...in Sloppy Janes...or Pulled Pork, stirred into pasta, rice or other grains...or make Caramelized Onion Dip with Greek Yogurt.
In any recipe that calls for caramelized onions!
The list goes on and on and on. What would you do with a stash in your freezer?
Please rate this recipe and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up!
📋 Recipe
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds yellow onions
- 2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Uniformly slice onions with a mandolin or knife. I used setting 3 on a mandolin.
- Place onions in slow cooker and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat all the onion slices.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.
- Remove lid and stir in balsamic vinegar.
- Return lid and leave ajar to allow liquid to begin evaporating.
- Cook for 1 hour more on low.
- Remove onions from slow cooker.
- Place onions in a colander to drain off liquid. Liquid can be retained for another use.
- Portion and freeze onions in a freezable containers or plastic bags according to needs. ¼ cup portion sizes work well.
Nutrition
Diana says
Can’t wait to try this. Approximately ,how many onions make 3 lbs? Can you double the batch and will it take more time? Thank you
Marjory Pilley says
Hi! The number of onions in 3 pounds depends on the size of the onions. On average, a medium onion weighs about half a pound, so 3 pounds would be about 6 medium onions. If you're using large onions, which can weigh closer to a pound, you might have around 3 onions. For smaller onions, you might have 9 or more. The recipe is forgiving, so it does not need to be exact! I hope you enjoy them!
DEBBIE says
I AM NEW HERE BUT HAVE BEEN "SHOPPING", LOL! JUST LOOKING AT ALL OF THE RECIPES AND SAVING MANY OF THEM TO COOK ANOTHER DAY!!! I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE WITH THE SLOW COOKER CARMELIZED ONIONS IN THE CROCK POT! I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE "FRENCH ONION SOUP" YUMMMM! I REALLY DO LOVE YOUR PAGE....
Sarah says
We made this and used it all up on pizza so I'm off to make my next batch! Thanks for recipe.
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
I will be crying tears of joy once I slow cook my onions to caramelized perfection! I never even considered doing this in my slow cooker! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Kim Beaulieu says
This is one of my favourite things to make in my slow cooker. It's so good to put on top of sandwiches and whatnot. This makes me want to whip up a batch immediately.
Amanda @The Kitcheneer says
Great idea! I love that it's a slow cooker recipe and a freezer recipe all in one! Totally digging adding some onions on my pizza!
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie says
I'd be tearing up from cutting the onions and the happiness of caramelized onions in my freezer 🙂
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Why have I never made caramelized onions in the crock pot?! I'm a fiend for caramelized onions...a FIEND! Having a stash in the freezer would be awesome.
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
I had no idea that you could caramelize onions in the slow cooker! OMG - WOW!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I want to put these onions on everything!
Paula - bell'alimento says
I like to keep a jar of these in my fridge to bump up the flavor in our weekly meals!
Amee Livingston says
I'm so excited to try caramelized onions in my slow cooker! This is genius! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Ginny McMeans says
Excellent idea!!!! I will be doing this often. 🙂
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
I use my slow cooker all the time but never have I just used it to carmelize onions, this is most certainly on my to do list for sure!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
I had no idea you could caramelize onions in a slow cooker! Awesome!
Aggie says
This is genius!! I have to try this method. Nothing like adding caramelized onions to pretty much anything 😉
Amy @Very Culinary says
Caramelized onions are one of my absolute favorite foods. I could eat all 3 of those cups by myself. Dare me?
The Food Hunter says
Love making caramelized onions for sandwich topping
christine says
This is genius. I love this idea. Caramelizing onions for recipes adds so much time to my cooking, this is a great shortcut idea!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
I'm definitely trying this - love the splash of balsamic vinegar you added.
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
This sounds incredibly easy - and such an amazing end product! Yum!
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
I love using my slow-cooker to make big batches of caramelized onions. It's so nice to have all those caramelized onions around: like money in the bank!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love making caramelized onions but they get even better when made in the slow cooker. So easy!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
I'd like to eat some of those onions - just with a spoon! Those look seriously yummy! And never thought to make them in a slow cooker either - great idea!
Jordan @ Smile Sandwich says
I've always wanted to try caramelizing onions my slow cooker! Adding balsamic is such a good idea and so easy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Great! So easy and so many possibilities!
Heather // girlichef says
I love the slow cooker caramelization method, I use it for garlic sometimes, too! It's so nice just to be able to let it happen all by itself and have a big batch ready to enjoy later. They look great, Marjory!
Beth @ The First Year says
It's so nice to be able to get them all cooked at once, less tears in the end!
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
I am learning so many wonderful slow cooker tips today! I LOVE caramelized onions! They make most everything better, but I never knew you could make them in the slow cooker! I don't use my slow cooker a whole lot, but you can be sure I will be making some caramelized onions in it, and I love your tip on adding the balsamic - yummm. Thanks, Marjory!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
You are BRILLIANT! I never would have thought to caramelize onions in a crockpot. Not only is this a breeze to do but the ease of freezing the onions and then simply pulling them out when needed is fantastic!
MealDiva says
Yum! Those are some great looking onions!
The Ninja Baker says
Grrrreat idea to make a whole bunch of caramelized onions, freeze them and have them ready to go!
susan // the wimpy vegetarian says
I make caramelized onions all the time and can attest that adding balsamic vinegar is the way to go. It's amazing how their flavor transforms with it. But I've never made them in my slow cooker. FABULOUS idea.
Tara says
This is brilliant!! What a great idea to have these at the ready in your freezer, I love caramelized onions. I have to do this for sure!! Love the added balsamic at the end!!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) says
Well, this just made caramelized onions a more frequent visitor to my meals. I love them and so many times don't have the 45 minutes it takes to fuss over them stovetop. Thanks so much for this recipe and love that splash of balsamic. Nice cooking with you for #SS
Renee says
I'd have tears of joy too with knowing those yummy caramelized onions are in the freezer waiting to be used on so many things.
Hezzi-D says
Love that you can caramelize onions in the slow cooker! This would be perfect when making French Onion soup because the onions would be ready when I get home from work!