Alton Brown has a unique way of making caramelized onions that is sure to please. His recipe is simple and easy to follow, and the onions come out perfectly caramelized and sweet every time.
This recipe is ideal for adding to sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. If you’re looking for a way to elevate your meals, this is the perfect way to do it.
What are Alton Brown Caramelized Onions?
Alton Brown is an American television personality, chef, actor, and author who is best known for his contributions to the culinary world. Born on July 30, 1962, in Los Angeles, California, he gained fame as the host of the Food Network’s cooking show “Good Eats,” which first premiered in 1999.He is known for his quirky and informative approach to cooking, as well as his focus on the science and mechanics of food preparation.
One of his most popular items is the Alton Brown’s Caramelized Onions recipe, which is a simple and delicious way to add flavor to any dish. The recipe is simple and straightforward, requiring only a few ingredients and some patience.
The end result is sweet, caramelized onions that can be used on sandwiches, salads, and pizzas for added flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Alton Brown Caramelized Onions?
There are many reasons why you’ll love this Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe. The first is that it is very easy to make. All you need is some onions, butter, and a bit of sugar.
This recipe is also very versatile; you can use it on sandwiches, salads, and pizzas to add a sweet and flavorful touch.
Finally, the end result is perfectly caramelized onions that are sure to please.
You will also like the following Side Dish recipes!
How Does It Taste Like?
When done correctly, this Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe will yield sweet and caramelized onions that are sure to add flavor to any dish.
The onions are cooked slowly with sugar and butter, which helps to bring out their natural sweetness.
The end result is a sweet and flavorful onion that is perfect for adding to sandwiches, salads, and pizzas.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe are simple and straightforward. You will need:
- Beef Consommé: Beef consommé adds a deep, rich flavor to the caramelized onions, enhancing their savory profile and providing a hearty base for the dish.
- Melted Butter: Melted butter contributes a smooth and rich texture to the caramelized onions, adding a luxurious mouthfeel and helping to brown the onions evenly.
- Chicken Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth brings additional depth and savory notes to the caramelized onions, ensuring a well-rounded flavor without excessive saltiness.
- White Wine: White wine adds brightness and acidity to the dish, balancing the sweetness of the caramelized onions and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Rustic Country-side Bread: The bread serves as a vehicle for serving the caramelized onions. Its rustic and hearty nature complements the dish, offering a satisfying combination of textures.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy and slightly sweet element, balancing the richness of the onions and enhancing their overall complexity.
- Fresh Herbs: The bouquet garni, a bundle of fresh herbs, infuses the caramelized onions with aromatic flavors. This enhances the dish with herbal notes, adding freshness and depth.
- Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper contributes a subtle heat and bold flavor, complementing the sweetness of the caramelized onions and adding a layer of complexity to the taste.
- Gruyere and Fontina Cheese: The blend of Gruyere and Fontina cheeses adds a creamy and cheesy topping to the caramelized onions, creating a decadent and flavorful finish.
- Cognac: Cognac brings a touch of sophistication and complexity to the dish, imparting a subtle depth of flavor that elevates the caramelized onions.
- Onion: The star ingredient, sweet onions, caramelizes beautifully when cooked slowly, developing a sweet and savory flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Premium Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is used to season the caramelized onions, enhancing their overall taste by bringing out the natural sweetness and balancing the flavors.
Step by Step Directions
Follow these simple instructions to create a culinary masterpiece.
Step 1: Prepare the Onions
Start by peeling and finely dicing a large sweet onion. This will form the flavorful base for your caramelized onions.
Step 2: Heat Butter
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or pan, melt velvety butter over medium heat. The butter will serve as the luscious foundation for the caramelization process.
Step 3: Add Diced Onions
Add the finely diced onions to the melted butter, ensuring they are well-coated. Stirring occasionally, let the onions absorb the buttery goodness.
Step 4: Saute Onions
Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow them to sauté until they become translucent and start to caramelize. This may take approximately 15-20 minutes.
Step 5: Season with Salt and Pepper
Once the onions are softened and starting to brown, season them with premium kosher salt and boldly ground black pepper. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 6: Deglaze with Cognac
Add a splash of refined cognac to the pan, but exercise caution as it may produce a flame when in contact with heat. Let the alcohol cook off, leaving behind a rich flavor that enhances the caramelization.
Step 7: Continue Caramelizing
Continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally. The goal is to achieve a deep golden brown color and a sweet, caramelized flavor. This additional process may take around 10-15 minutes.
Step 8: Adjust Seasoning
Taste the caramelized onions and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt or pepper according to your preference, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors.
Step 9: Serve
Once the onions reach the desired caramelization, remove the pan from heat. Serve these delectable caramelized onions as a flavorful accompaniment to dishes like burgers, sandwiches, or as a luxurious topping for steaks.
Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the perfect Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe:
- Make sure to use a large skillet so that the onions have enough room to caramelize.
- Don’t rush the cooking process. It is important to take your time and cook the onions slowly so that they have enough time to caramelize properly.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the onions so that they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Taste the onions before serving. If they need more flavor, add a bit more salt and pepper.
- Store any leftover onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
This Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe is a great way to add flavor to any dish. Here is the nutritional information for one serving:
How to Store Alton Brown Caramelized Onions?
Any leftover onions can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
What Other Substitute Can I Use in Alton Brown Caramelized Onions?
If you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand, here are some substitutions you can use in this Alton Brown Caramelized Onions recipe:
* If you don’t have yellow onions, you can use white onions or shallots.
* If you don’t have unsalted butter, you can use salted butter. Just reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
* If you don’t have sugar, you can use honey or maple syrup instead.
* If you don’t have ground black pepper, you can use white pepper or cayenne pepper instead.
Equipment
- skillet
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp Flavorful Low-sodium Chicken Broth
- 3/4 tsp Premium Kosher Salt
- 1/2 cup Crisp White Wine
- 5/8 cups of Rich and Savory Beef Consommé
- 2 and 1/4 tsp Velvety Melted Butter
- 1/4 tsp Boldly Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 loaf of Rustic Country-side Bread
- 1/3 cup Tangy Apple Cider Vinegar
- A Bouquet Garni of Fresh Herbs
- 4 tbsp Aromatic Blend of Gruyere and Fontina Cheese
- A Splash of Refined Cognac
- 1/4 loaf of Rustic Country-side Bread
- 1 Large Sweet Onion, Finely Diced
Instructions
Prepare the Onions:
- Peel and finely dice the large sweet onion.
Heat Butter:
- In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or pan, melt the velvety butter over medium heat.
Add Diced Onions:
- Add the finely diced onions to the melted butter. Stir to coat the onions with the butter.
Saute Onions:
- Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow them to sauté until they become translucent and start to caramelize. This process may take about 15-20 minutes.
Season with Salt and Pepper:
- Once the onions are softened and starting to brown, season them with premium kosher salt and boldly ground black pepper. Stir well to incorporate the seasoning.
Deglaze with Cognac:
- Add a splash of refined cognac to the pan. Be cautious, as it may produce a flame when it comes in contact with the heat. Allow the alcohol to cook off, leaving behind a rich flavor.
Continue Caramelizing:
- Continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally. The goal is to achieve a deep golden brown color and a sweet, caramelized flavor. This process may take an additional 10-15 minutes.
Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste the caramelized onions and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt or pepper according to your preference.
Serve:
- Once the onions reach the desired caramelization, remove the pan from heat. Serve the caramelized onions as a delicious accompaniment to various dishes, such as burgers, sandwiches, or as a topping for steaks.
Notes
- Make sure to use a large skillet so that the onions have enough room to caramelize.
- Don’t rush the cooking process. It is important to take your time and cook the onions slowly so that they have enough time to caramelize properly.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the onions so that they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Taste the onions before serving. If they need more flavor, add a bit more salt and pepper.
- Store any leftover onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze Alton Brown Caramelized Onions?
Yes, you can. Place the onions in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes, you can. Just keep in mind that the onions will not be as caramelized as they would be with butter.
Can I use this recipe for other dishes?
Yes, you can. The caramelized onions can be added to sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and other dishes for added flavor and sweetness.
Can I use other types of onions in this recipe?
Yes, you can. You can use white onions, red onions, or shallots instead of yellow onions.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can. Just substitute the butter for vegan margarine and use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of sugar.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free butter.
Conclusion
Alton Brown’s Caramelized Onions recipe is a simple and delicious way to add flavor to any dish. The recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients.
The end result is sweet, caramelized onions that are perfect for adding to sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. Try this recipe to elevate your dishes and add a unique flavor.