Easy Roasted Onions (With Variations)

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/10/22
Roasted onion recipe

The Spruce Eats

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

All but the sharpest of onions can be mellowed into luscious sweetness by roasting them. A drizzle of flavorful, high-quality balsamic or cider vinegar before serving highlights that sweetness to perfection but is completely optional.

What to do with onions once you've roasted them? They are sheer perfection alongside roasted meats of all kinds and particularly good to add in with bites of a good steak or nosh in the company of a finely roasted chicken. Roasted onions are also a lovely addition to any platter of roasted vegetables—adding an aromatic element to the vegetal gathering.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds small onions

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons balsamic or apple cider vinegar, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

    Ingredients for easy roasted onions recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. Trim and peel the onions, removing and discarding their stem and root ends along with their papery peels. You can leave the smallest onions whole, but you will want to cut most onions into halves or quarters, depending on how big they are. Bigger than bite-size is fine, but you don't want diners wrestling with giant whole onions that are tricky to cut.

    Peeled and halved onions in bowl

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Put the onions in a large baking dish (they should easily fit in a single layer for the best, most even roasting).

    Onions in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats

  4. Drizzle the onions with the oil and toss to coat them thoroughly and evenly. If you've cut them, arrange the onions so the cut-side is down, facing the pan (this will help them brown nicely).

    Onions drizzled with oil in baking dish

    The Spruce Eats

  5. Sprinkle the onions with salt (sprinkle from a few inches above the onions so the salt falls more or less evenly over them).

    Onions sprinkled with salt in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats

  6. Bake the onions, turning them once or twice if you think of it until they're completely tender to the bite and browning on the edges—about 30 minutes total.

    Roasted onions

    The Spruce Eats

  7. Drizzle the onions with vinegar before serving, if you like. Start with a smaller amount of vinegar and add more to taste if you like the effect.

    Roasted onions drizzled with vinegar

    The Spruce Eats

Variations

  • Set a sprig of rosemary in with the onions, tossing it with the oil and onions and leaving it whole to scent the onions as they roast. Toss a bit when you take the onions out of the oven, so a few roasted rosemary leaves fall into the onions.
  • Toss in whole cloves of garlic along with the onions for an aromatic explosion of flavors. Peel them for easy eating and caramelized edges; leave them in their peels for more fully tender roasted cloves.
  • Sprinkle on freshly ground black pepper once the onions are tender (but have another 5 minutes or so to get browned edges and be done) for a pungent kick of flavor.
  • Leave off the vinegar at the end, tossing the roasted onions with a tablespoon or two of minced herbs, like parsley, chervil, or tarragon, instead.
  • Use shallots instead of onions for an even more subtle final result.
  • Sweeten things up—sprinkle the onions with a tablespoon or so of brown sugar about 10 minutes before they are done cooking.

How to Use Leftover Roasted Onions

Leftover roasted onions will last in the fridge for three to four days in an airtight container or plastic bag. Then, reheat them as a side dish, or use them in other dishes, such as slow cooker roast chicken or skillet meals.

What onion is best for roasting?

Yellow, red, or sweet onions are the top contenders for roasting due to their sweetness and similarity in flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
80 Calories
4g Fat
12g Carbs
2g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 80
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 136mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 6mg 29%
Calcium 25mg 2%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 188mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)