Skip to main content

Sautéed Onions

Sweet and tender onions are delicious added to recipes including dips, pizzas, pastas and meats.
Browned onions on a plate.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 1 cup
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 medium onion, sliced or chopped
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, margarine or butter

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a wide bottomed skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Add chopped or sliced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until desired softness and color are reached. Reduce the heat as needed to prevent burning.
    • 3 to 5 minutes – onions will be crisp-tender and a clear white
    • Longer cooking will start to brown the onions. They will become softer and sweeter.
    • Cooking for a long time (30 minutes or more) at a lower heat will turn onions a rich golden brown.
  4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • When sauteing more than one onion, avoid crowding them in the pan.

Comments

Walla Walla Sweet Onions are especially good for this recipe.  I added salt and pepper while I was sauteing. 

Sautéed onions are a staple in our house.  The process carmelizes the onions, giving them a sweeter and more mellow flavor.  I serve these often as a side dish and we love them on burgers and sandwiches. 

Saute onion is so good to put in with any meats that I cook, especially steaks, hamburger or liver. I like to add a few other spices such as garlic and/or onion powder as well. So yummy.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Jollof Rice
Big bowl of Jollof Rice shown served with plantains and beans.

Jollof Rice

This flavorful variation of a West African favorite includes brown rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, broth and seasonings. Thanks to the OSU Extension African Heritage Work Group for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
55 to 60 minutes
Makes:
8 to 9 cups
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Large platter of orange pumpkin cookies.

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Soft pumpkin breakfast cookies made with canned pumpkin, whole-wheat flour and warm spices.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
48 Cookies
Popeye Power Smoothie
Glasses of green fruit smoothies with straws.

Popeye Power Smoothie

This tasty green smoothie is sweet, creamy and refreshing. Kids love it!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Kale and White Bean Soup
Bowl of soup with a tomato base, kale and beans

Kale and White Bean Soup

A warm and filling soup made with beans, greens and Italian flavors.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 Cups
Sweet Potato and Orange Muffins
Pulled-apart fluffy and moist sweet potato muffins.

Sweet Potato and Orange Muffins

A warm and comforting combination of whole-wheat flour, sweet potatoes, warm spices and tangy orange make these muffins perfect for breakfast or a snack.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
12 muffins
Butternut Apple Crisp
Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble baked to a golden brown.

Butternut Apple Crisp

Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble for a healthy fall dessert.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups