For the best roasted onion dish, we’ve suggested slicing the onions in half and roasting in this style. Some chefs will opt to roast their onions in wedges or thick slices, but if you’re serving this dish to guests, halved onions will caramelize best and offer the most inviting visual presentation.
The olive oil is key to include as this helps to roast the onions evenly. It’s best to coat the onions fully in a mixing bowl before transferring to the baking tray, to ensure ideal coverage of the onion flesh.
Best Onion Varieties for Roasting
When roasting onions you need to start by choosing the right variety. There are over 20 types of onions, and they all suit various styles of dishes and cooking methods. In the recipe above we’ve featured yellow onions, as they’re sweet and balanced all-purpose onions. You can, however, use red onions if you want a tangier note in your end dish. Roasted red onions are well-suited to salads and a flavorful option during the summertime.
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between shallots and onions, and whether you can roast shallots too, take a look at our helpful guide. In short, shallots are milder and sweeter than yellow onions, and tend to be better suited to raw dishes, such as salads and dressings, as they won’t overpower the dish like onions.
Once you’ve mastered roasted onions in the oven, there are lots of cooking techniques to try making onions with. Charring onions on the grill is a tasty way to enjoy this ingredient during the warmer months, and adds a smokiness to the natural sweetness of the onions.
Flavor Pairings and Serving Suggestions
In the recipe above we’ve included a simple seasoning featuring olive oil, salt, black pepper, and thyme, but you can add additional herbs and spices. Smoked paprika brings a touch of heat to the side dish, and adds a touch of color to the onions too. Drizzling the onions with balsamic vinegar prior to serving adds a sweet glaze, although you can substitute honey in for this step, which will add even more sweetness but less acidity for balance.
When serving this dish at a dinner party, you can take the halved roasted onions to the table as they are, or plate delicately to the side of your entree, for a striking presentation. Try pairing with a classic roast beef or chicken main, or roasted butternut squash, for a plant-based alternative.
