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Perfect Caramelized Onions: A Step-by-Step Guide for Rich, Sweet Results

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Caramelizing onions transforms these everyday vegetables into golden, sweet, and tender delicacies that can elevate any dish from ordinary to extraordinary. While the process requires patience, the result is worth every minute. This slow-cooking method breaks down the onions' natural sugars, creating a rich, complex flavor that's impossible to replicate with quick-cooking methods. Whether you're planning to top a burger, enhance a French onion soup, or create a gourmet pizza, mastering the art of caramelizing onions will add a professional touch to your cooking repertoire. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk through every step to achieve perfectly caramelized onions every time.

Select and Prepare Your Onions

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Choose 3-4 large yellow or sweet onions for the best results. Yellow onions are ideal because they contain high levels of natural sugars that caramelize beautifully. Peel the onions and cut them in half from top to bottom. Slice each half into uniform, thin semicircles about 1/8 inch thick. Consistency in size is key for even caramelization. You should end up with about 4-5 cups of sliced onions, which will reduce significantly during cooking.

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Prepare Your Pan and Heat Source

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Select a large, heavy-bottomed stainless steel or cast-iron skillet. The heavy bottom prevents hot spots and ensures even heating, while the large surface area allows onions to cook without overcrowding. Place the pan over medium heat and add 2-3 tablespoons of butter, olive oil, or a combination of both. Allow the fat to heat until it shimmers but doesn't smoke.

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Add Onions and Initial Seasoning

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Add your sliced onions to the pan and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. The salt helps draw out moisture and speeds up the caramelization process. Toss the onions to coat them evenly with the fat and spread them in an even layer. At this stage, the pan will seem very full, but the onions will cook down significantly.

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Begin the Slow Cooking Process

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Cook the onions over medium heat for the first 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You'll notice them starting to become translucent and soften. Once they've softened, reduce the heat to medium-low. This lower temperature allows the onions to caramelize slowly without burning, developing complex flavors in the process.

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