It’s no surprise that some of the most popular recipes on my website feature caramelized onions. After all, what’s not to love about the deep richness and sweet caramelized flavor they add to savory dishes? When someone asks me the best ways to use caramelized onions, I say, “You already know.”
Hi, I’m Renee. For the past 10+ years, I’ve been publishing my food blog, Kudos Kitchen by Renee, where I develop easy-to-make and delicious recipes for readers and food lovers like yourself.
A simple formula for the best ways to use caramelized onions
I’ve discovered that the easiest way to improve and enhance a new or even a classic, timeless recipe is to add caramelized onions. In my time developing recipes and cooking for my family, I’ve learned the best ways to use caramelized onions — and it’s easier than you think.
Whether it’s a new recipe idea I’ve brainstormed or a classic favorite I’ve decided to upgrade, my two rules for developing recipes using caramelized onions are simple:
- You can never go wrong adding them to a savory dish.
- And, if it already tastes good, it will taste even better with the addition of caramelized onions. When you add onions, you not only get the taste but solid nutrition. Did you know a medium onion has more Vitamin C than an apple?
Speaking of delicious, savory recipes featuring the tantalizingly sweet caramelized onion, I have listed below a small samp

ling of recipes (some entirely new and unique, and some are updated classics) you will love. Follow this recipe to make caramelized onions ahead of time. Or watch this video.
Quick caramelized onions amp up the flavor
The next time you wonder the best ways to use caramelized onions, you won’t have to go far. Bookmark these for your next family meal:
French Onion Crostini are crispy garlic toast appetizers topped with thyme-infused caramelized onions and plenty of melted Gruyere cheese.
German Onion Soup is my riff on the French classic, except I’ve added beer, bratwurst, and pretzel roll croutons to the fantastic and flavorful French onion base.
French Onion Short Ribs is a rich and hearty braised-in-the-oven beef dish with the richness of onions that develop a beefy, buttery tenderness you can cut with a fork.
They can also significantly improve classic favorite recipes. Try this French Onion Macaroni and Cheese. It’s super creamy and cheesy but also has an underlying sweet nuttiness, thanks to the caramelized onions, that will blow all other macaroni and cheeses off the map!
Or try my recipe for French Onion Pork Chops. These seared chops are simmered to perfection in a skillet full of luscious thyme-infused caramelized onions, red wine, and beef stock before being topped with melted Swiss cheese before serving.
And if you’re looking to feed a hungry bunch for not a lot of money, why not upgrade a standard sloppy Joe to an ultra-flavorful and crazy-delicious French Onion Sloppy Joe?
I invite you to visit my website, Kudos Kitchen by Renee, and use the search terms “French onions” or “caramelized onions” for many more recipes. Also, so you won’t miss any new French onion recipes I’ll soon publish (I have plenty of those in my head), please subscribe to my newsletter and my weekly new recipe announcements.
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Fondly,
Renee