How To Make Grilled Onions Like In n Out?
If you love In-N-Out’s burgers, you know their caramelized onions are key to the irresistible, flavorful taste. Here’s how you can recreate that delicious, homemade version of their onions at home in just a few minutes.
Start by thinly slicing onions and cook them slowly over low heat in a bit of oil, stirring occasionally until golden and caramelized to perfection. This process fills the onions with deep flavor, making them the perfect topping for your burger, or even for an onion-wrapped low-carb, gluten-free option.
Whether you’re building an epic flying Dutchman or just want to skip the buns, these onions will serve up that signature In-N-Out taste at home.
What Ingredients You Need to Make the Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman?
To make a delicious Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman at home, you’ll start with ground beef, aiming for a balanced mix ratio of fat to keep it juicy, and season with your favorite mustard—whether it’s classic yellow mustard or a sharp dijon.
For the perfect onion wrap, use thinly sliced yellow onions or sweet white onions, as they caramelize beautifully and bring out that signature sweet caramelized flavor. Fry them in avocado oil, or any frying oil, until they’re soft and golden.
Next, layer cheddar cheese or American cheese slices on the cooked beef, allowing them to melt into the patty. To elevate the experience, craft a homemade sauce with a blend of mayonnaise, pickle relish, a touch of unsweetened ketchup, and a dash of both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar. This combination mimics that In-N-Out style flavor that everyone loves.
How to Make the Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman?
To recreate the Onion-Wrapped Flying Dutchman, begin by preparing your sauce. In a small bowl, combine the classic spread ingredients like mayonnaise, mustard, and relish, then set aside.
For the caramelized onions, heat oil in a large skillet until hot, and add sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook on medium heat, allowing the edges to turn gold before flipping them to caramelize the other side, which should take just a few minutes.
While the onions cook, prepare the patties by dividing your ground beef into equal portions and forming burger patties. Season with salt and pepper before adding them to the skillet. Sear the patties, then spread some mustard on them before flipping after a few minutes.
Add cheese to the patties, letting it melt until you have a cheese-covered patty. For a double burger, stack the patties with the grilled onions between them. Serve without a bun, topped with the sauce, and enjoy warm.
What Makes This Recipe Great?
The secret to In-N-Out’s famous grilled onions lies in transforming a strong-tasting vegetable like onions into a tender, sweet caramelized flavor. When cooked just right, these onions become soft and delicious, perfect for adding to burgers, pizzas, or even sandwiches.
Sauteed onions are incredibly versatile, and they bring depth to any dish, whether it’s for breakfast or salads. But cooking them can be tricky at first—many end up with a disaster of smoke alarms and charred remnants.
For success, use a cast iron pan over low heat, and let the onions cook slowly, ensuring that they don’t burn, but develop that sought-after caramelized texture. This recipe guarantees those perfectly grilled onions every time.
Ingredient Notes
When making grilled onions like In-N-Out, the type of onion you choose can greatly influence the flavor. Vidalia onions or sweet yellow onions are ideal for their mild, sugary taste, while red onions offer a sharper bite if that’s your preference.
Regardless of which onion you use, add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness, and a bit of butter to add richness. If you want to speed up the caramelization process, a little water is a handy hack to keep them moist while they soften into perfect caramelized goodness.
My Amazing Grilled Onion Hack
One trick to keep your onions from becoming too dry while grilling is adding a few tablespoons of water during cooking. This not only helps prevent drying out but also ensures the onions stay juicy and cook at an even temperature.
As the water evaporates, it leaves the onions tender and grilled to perfection. The natural sugars in the onions will slowly release, creating a deeply caramelized and sweet flavor that enhances any dish.
Which Onions Are Best for Grilling?
When it comes to grilling onions, the best options are yellow onions, white onions, and sweet onions. Each onion offers a unique flavor profile: yellow onions are balanced with a mix of sweet and savory notes, making them a great all-around choice.
White onions have a sharper, more pungent taste, while sweet onions like Vidalia are perfect for those who prefer a milder, sugary grill flavor. Red onions, though more intense raw, develop a rich, slightly sweet taste when grilled.
Ways to Serve Grilled Onions
Grilled onions are incredibly versatile, elevating dishes like burgers, patty melts, sandwiches, and even salads. Add them to casseroles, and dips, or use them in fajitas, stir-fry, and tacos for extra depth.
For a bolder taste, season your sauteed onions with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar to complement chicken, pizza, or steak dishes. They also work wonderfully in pasta, soups, and hearty sauces.
Expert Tips
For a dairy-free or Vegan version, use olive oil, coconut oil, or ghee instead of butter when grilling onions. This method is also Whole30-compliant.
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. To reheat, use a microwave or gently warm them in a skillet.
About Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions are all about achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. As they cook, the browned onions develop a deep flavor that enhances many dishes. The texture is key, with the onions becoming tender yet retaining a slight light crunch.
The process requires some effort and a close eye to ensure the onions don’t get stuck to the pan or overcook. It typically takes about 30 minutes to properly chop the onions and another 30 minutes to let them slowly cook.
Substitutions
If you want to switch things up, try using a white onion for a more vibrant onion flavor, or go for a red onion to introduce a richer and slightly bitter taste when caramelized. Shallots are another great option if you’re looking for a mildly flavored onion with a hint of bite.
Variations
For a spicy kick, sprinkle some red chili pepper flakes while cooking the onions overheat. If you prefer the sharpness of raw onions, consider adding sliced raw onion to your burger along with the caramelized onions, giving you the best of both worlds with a crisp and sharper onion flavor.
What to Serve with Caramelized Onions
Caramelized onions are incredibly versatile and make almost any dish more delicious. They pair wonderfully with a juicy burger, adding a sweet, rich taste that balances out the savory elements.
For a comforting meal, consider adding them to French onion soup, where their deep flavor really shines. You can also enjoy them with a cold beer or a glass of wine alongside dishes like Pesto Swiss and Turkey Skillet Sliders or a simple Cheese Quesadilla.
For a heartier option, try them with Pan Roasted Vegetables, Bavette Steak, or a perfectly Broiled Garlic Flank Steak.
Conclusion:
To make grilled onions like In-N-Out, start by slowly caramelizing thinly sliced onions in a pan with a bit of oil over medium heat, allowing their natural sugars to release and develop that deep, sweet flavor.
Stir occasionally to avoid burning and season with a pinch of salt. These caramelized onions are perfect for adding to burgers, sandwiches, or any dish that needs a burst of rich, savory-sweet flavor.
With a little patience and attention, you can easily replicate the signature taste of In-N-Out’s famous grilled onions right at home.
People also ask
Are In-N-Out Grilled Onions Caramelized?
In-N-Out’s grilled onions are indeed caramelized. They are cooked on a hot griddle where the meat juices collect and mingle, adding a sweet and savory kick to each bite.
This process not only enhances their flavor but also gives them a distinctively delicious taste that complements the burgers perfectly.
What Onions Do They Use at In-N-Out?
In-N-Out utilizes primarily white onions for their burgers, chosen for their ability to become deliciously sweet and soft when cooked, unlike the more robust red onions or yellow onions.
Why Do Grilled Onions Taste So Good?
The delightful flavor of grilled onions comes from the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that occurs when onions are cooked until brown.
This process breaks down the larger molecules in the onions into smaller parts, creating rich, flavorful, and delicious tastes.
How to Prepare Raw Onions for Burgers?
To prepare raw onions for burgers, aiming for a milder flavor and less pungent compounds, the fastest and easiest method is air-drying the onions after slicing.
Alternatively, you can rinse them under running water or soak in warm water to reduce their intensity, preventing the onions from having a dried-out or papery texture.
