Simple Sundays: Sriracha Caramelized Onions Recipe

Sweet and spicy and utterly addictive, these Sriracha Caramelized Onions are the ideal topping to brighten burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, sandwiches, or even a simple slice of toast. The slow-cooked sweetness of caramelized onions combined with a hit of sriracha creates a layered condiment that complements rich, savory dishes and adds a lively kick to summer cookouts.

When I look back on the life my husband and I have built, I’m struck by how much has changed since we first started out. Nearly 14 years of marriage have given us many layers of experience — some easy and automatic, others surprising at the time but now integral to who we are. Those layers remind me of caramelized onions: slow to form, full of depth, and better for the time they take.

Fatherhood has suited him — he’s been steady and devoted, the spicy to my sweet. As we’ve gotten older, our tolerance for heat has grown, and we now enjoy dialing up the flavor on familiar dishes. With grilling season in full swing, I found myself craving the perfect condiment to finish off burgers and hot dogs: caramelized onions with a spicy twist.

Enter Sriracha Caramelized Onions: sweet, deeply savory onions finished with a splash of sriracha. They pair beautifully with melted pepper jack or sharp cheddar, tangy pickles, and a thick slice of tomato. Use them as a burger topper, spoon them over grilled meats, add to sandwiches, or fold into a grilled cheese for extra complexity. Once you make a batch, you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again.

Enjoyed this recipe for Sriracha Caramelized Onions? Try these other recipes too!

• Achara: Filipino Green Papaya Relish
• Simple Sundays | Rustic Red Onion Relish
• Simple Sundays | Tomato Jam
• Rhubarb-Wine BBQ Sauce
• Baby Back Ribs with Blueberry Balsamic Barbecue Sauce
• Sweet & Smoky Spanish Beef Burgers With Pickled Saffron Pears

Sriracha Caramelized Onions

Sweet and spicy — a versatile condiment you’ll want on everything this grilling season.

Course

Condiments

Cuisine

American

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Servings

2 cups

Calories

145 kcal

Author

Liren Baker

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 large yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 1–2 tablespoons sriracha, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large sauté pan, melt the butter over medium–low heat.
2. Add the sliced onions and stir to coat them in the butter.
3. Cook the onions slowly, stirring periodically with a wooden spoon, until they soften and turn a deep amber color. Low and slow cooking brings out natural sugars and results in evenly caramelized onions.
4. Once the onions are deeply caramelized, season with kosher salt and stir in sriracha to taste. Start with a smaller amount and adjust until you reach the desired heat level.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and let the onions cool slightly before serving. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

These Sriracha Caramelized Onions are delicious on burgers, hot dogs, grilled meats, pizza, and sandwiches. They can also add a flavorful boost to bowls, tarts, or roasted vegetable plates. Adjust the sriracha to suit your heat preference and experiment with complementary cheeses or pickles when building your sandwich.

Nutrition (per total recipe)

Calories: 145 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 30 mg | Sodium: 178 mg | Potassium: 161 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 350 IU | Vitamin C: 13 mg | Calcium: 25 mg | Iron: 1 mg