How to Make Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions by Sommer

Rich silky caramelized onions. What could be more perfect spooned over pork or steaks? Or how about served with cheese and sausage on a charcuterie board?

The deeply tantalizing sweet onion flavor is marvelous for amplifying all sorts of dishes. Mix caramelized onions into soups and stews, in frittatas and scrambles, into dips and spreads, or even in casseroles.

You won’t believe the difference they make!

 
 

So how does one prepare this masterful flavor-enhancing ingredient and condiment?

In the slow cooker, of course.

In all honesty, there are several ways to make caramelized onions. The most common method is to sauté onions over low heat on the stovetop. The problem with this method is there’s a whole lot of standing around and stirring.

I don’t like standing around and stirring. Do you?

 
 

Therefore, my method of choice is slow cooker caramelized onions. All you have to do is throw the onions in the slow cooker with a couple of ingredients and let the crockpot work its magic.

Hours later, the onions will have darkened into intense sweet deliciousness!

Ready to give it a try?

 
 

Start by turning your crockpot on low and adding some butter in the crock. This allows the slow cooker to preheat and melt the better.

Next, peel and slice several onions and place them in the slow cooker.

 
 

Add a little Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Stir to coat the onions in the seasoning and butter.

Then cover the crock, and let the onions slow cook for 12–14 hours.

That’s it!

 
 

It helps if you stir the onions once or twice in that timeframe, so that all the onions spend a few hours at the bottom. However, it’s not necessary to stir. They will still break down and soften, even if you leave the house for the entire day.

You can refrigerate the caramelized onions for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them for later. I like to freeze small portions of caramelized onions in ice cube trays, so I can add them to stews and soups one cube at a time.

 
 

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions are a fabulous no-fuss make-ahead to elevate all sorts of recipes.

Try making them this week. Then use them all month long to add that extra something to your dinner creations!