Red Wine Caramelized Onions

July 17th, 2011

Red Wine Caramelized Onions
Red wine caramelized onions

I know what you are thinking- caramelized onions are so good- is there really any need to tamper with them? Well I did, and I’m glad- cause when you add wine to sweet and spicy red onions then add a bit of vinegar and sugar to top them off- you get something really special. Red wine caramelized onions. These are great on sandwiches and burgers, as well as in omelets or on pizza. I will often whip up a batch of these and just use them as a condiment. Delicious.

Red Wine Caramelized Onions, make about 1 cup.
1 large red onion
1 Tbs butter
1 Tbs olive oil
1 cup red wine
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 Tbs sugar
Kosher salt to taste

1)Thinly slice a red onion (with the grain of the onion)

Red wine caramelized onions

Red wine caramelized onions

2) In a large sauté pan, add the butter and the olive oil and melt over medium heat.

Red wine caramelized onions

3) Add the red onions and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Red wine caramelized onions

4) Cook the onions until soft and the pan starts to dry out- about 5 minutes.

Red wine caramelized onions

5) Add the wine to the dry pan, and scrape the browned bits up. Continue to cook on low heat another 15 minutes. Whenever the pan gets dry, add ¼ cup of water.

Red wine caramelized onions Red wine caramelized onions Red wine caramelized onions Red wine caramelized onions

6) After the onions have been cooking about 20 minutes, add the vinegar and sugar and cook another 5 minutes. The pan should be dry.

7) Scrape all of the onions into a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
Red wine caramelized onions


  1. Jeanette says:

    I love caramelized onions, and your amped up ones sound wonderful!

    8:03 pm on July 17th, 2011
  2. Katrina says:

    These sound lovely! I’m glad you tampered with them, lol!

    9:36 pm on July 17th, 2011
  3. linda says:

    I make these, too, but my recipe doesn’t call for red wine. I may have to try that. I have a mushroom pate recipe I serve them with~YUM!!
    I really enjoy reading your blog and your recipes. thank you!

    6:16 am on July 18th, 2011
  4. Kathy - Panini Happy says:

    Mmmm…I love sweet-acidic condiments!

    4:40 pm on July 18th, 2011
  5. Cookin' Canuck says:

    I would love to open my fridge to a batch of these and be able to pile them on top of pizzas and sandwiches.

    10:20 pm on July 18th, 2011
  6. Heather Christo says:

    I also just dumped them into a fritatta last night! so good….

    8:21 am on July 19th, 2011

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