My Instant Pot Caramelized Onions recipe is a super easy way to make caramelized onions in a fraction of the time that it would take on the stove. They’re full of flavor and you don’t have to constantly tend to them.
If you want a few more delicious ways to make onions, try my Caramelized Onions in a Crock Pot and my Quick Pickled Red Onions. They are both ways to elevate your dishes.
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Why this Instant Pot Caramelized Onion Recipe is a Keeper
If you’ve ever needed caramelized onions for a recipe before, you know how long caramelizing onions can take. Instant Pot caramel onions are super quick, easy and just as delicious. You will never make them any other way.
- Hands-Off Cooking: The Instant Pot does most of the work making this onion jam.
- Big Batch Friendly: Make a large batch at once for meal prep. Just add the sliced onions and you are half way there.
- Deep Sweet Flavor: Natural pressure helps soften and sweeten onions beautifully.
- Freezer-Friendly: Perfect for stocking your freezer.
Do Instant Pot Caramelized Onions Taste the Same as Stovetop?
Yes. Even though they’re cooked faster, they still have the same great taste like they were made traditionally on the stove.
Pro Tip to Caramelize Onions
After pressure cooking, switch to sauté mode and cook uncovered until the liquid evaporates and the onions darken. This final step makes a huge difference in flavor and texture.
Ingredient Notes for Onions in the Instant Pot
Easy caramelized onions take just a few easy-to-find ingredients, many of which you probably have in your pantry already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Onions: You will need 2 pounds of white onions to make these delicious browned onions.
- Brown Sugar: A little bit of brown sugar adds that extra rich flavor.
- All Purpose Seasoning: Make your own All Purpose Seasoning to have ready to go whenever you need to add flavor to a dish.
Variations and Substitutions for Pressure Cooker Onions
Easily customize by experimenting with flavor. Try it sweeter or with more depth.
- Use Sweet Onions: Creates a milder, sweeter result.
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: Stir in a splash at the end for depth.
- Add Fresh Thyme: Adds subtle herb flavor.
- Make It Vegan: Use olive oil instead of butter.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Caramelized Onions
A couple kitchen items can really help to make instant pot carmelized onions perfect.
- Instant Pot: An electric pressure cooker allows onions to soften quickly and has a sauté mode to finish browning.
- Mandoline Slicer: Helps slice onions evenly and saves time.
How to Make Instant Pot Caramelized Onions
Sauteing the onions is done in 2 quick and easy steps. Pressure cooker caramelized onions are so good, it quickly became one of my favorite ways to make them.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Onions: Add the onions, butter and All Purpose Seasoning to the Instant Pot. Stir everything together. Secure the lid, close the quick release vent and pressure cook on high pressure cooker function for 5 minutes.
- Sauté with Sugar: When done, immediately release the pressure and remove the lid. Drain the onions from the excess liquid, then add onions back in. Set to the saute function on the instant pot and cook with the brown sugar until the onions are golden.
Prep Ahead for Caramelized Onions in the Instant Pot
I like to prepare steps of a recipe ahead of time so that I can speed up the cooking process when I’m ready to make dinner.
- Slice Onions Early: Store thinly sliced onions in the fridge up to 2 days before cooking.
- Cook in Bulk: Make a large batch and freeze portions. Be aware that this may increase cooking time.
- Portion Before Freezing: Freeze carmelized onions in ½ cup portions for easy use later.
Alternate Cooking Methods – Slow Cooker Method
Instead of using the Instant Pot to make onions, you can make them another way by using the slow cooker or making classic stovetop caramelized onions.
- Stovetop: Make slow cooker caramelized onions! Cook low and slow in a skillet for 45–60 minutes, stir the onions occasionally.
- Slow Cooker: Slow cook on low for 8–10 hours, uncovered during the last hour or until the juice or liquid has evaporated.
How to Store, Reheat and Using Caramelized Onions
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave.
- Using Leftovers: Add caramelization to burgers, sandwiches, omelets, pizza, French onion soup, or stir into mashed potatoes.
Common Questions About This Recipe
Watery onions can be due to overcrowding the pot. Make sure you don’t add too many onions or they will turn to mush.
You can really cook as many as you want at a time, but if you’re doing a lot I’d recommend working in batches. Trying to cook lots of onion at one time will increase your cook time.
It’s best to use either white onions or sweet yellow onions. You can also use red onions, but they’re not as pretty.
Expert Tips for Making Fast Caramelized Onions
- Sliced Thinly and Evenly: Even slices cook at the same rate.
- Don’t Skip Sauté Finish: This is where flavor deepens.
- Salt Early: Helps onions break down faster and add a ton of flavor.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Stay below max fill line for even cooking.
- Serve With: Serve on a Chopped Brisket Sandwich or Cast Iron Burger.
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Instant Pot Caramelized Onions
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds White onions, peeled and sliced thin
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 1 Tablespoon Brown sugar
Instructions
- Add onions, butter and All Purpose Seasoning to an Instant Pot, and toss to combine.
- Secure the lid and adjust the vent to seal.
- Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- Immediately release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Strain excess liquid from the onions.
- Return the drained onions to the Instant Pot and set to Saute setting.
- Stir in the brown sugar and saute for 3-5 minutes, or until onions become golden.
- Serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- Stove Top: If you don’t have an instant pot but still want to quickly make caramelized onions in a pinch, try this recipe and technique to achieve similar results.
- Chopping Onions: To prevent eye irritation or crying when chopping up onion, keep a wet paper towel next to the cutting board, simple try but makes huge difference.
- Caramelized Onions for Burger: Burgers with caramelized onions is a classic that everyone love and great way to use this recipe.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.