Caramelized Onions

Onions are a standard addition to burgers, hot dogs, steaks and multitudes of other delicious foods.  Some use raw onions, while others opt to saute.  If you're looking to increase the flavor and greatly elevate the wow factor, try caramelizing them.  It takes a little more time, but it so worth the effort.

What you'll need:
1 TBSP bacon grease or oil
1 large onion, I used vidalia but a purple onion works well, too
salt and pepper

Warm a heavy skillet (I use cast iron) over low heat.  Meanwhile, prepare the onion.  Peel it and cut it in half.

Cut each half into thin slices.  Add to the skillet.

Season with salt and pepper.  Keep the pan on low, and walk away.  This is not something you want to stand over and babysit.  It's going to take 30-40 minutes to truly caramelize these onions.  This is how mine looked at 15 minutes.

You'll need to stir them about every 15 minutes or so, so they evenly color.  As they cook, they will also shrink.

Here is 30 minutes.

I have a gas stove, so my skillet is hotter in the center.  I just kept moving the darkening ones to the outside and the whiter ones into the center.  Again, resist the urge to over stir.

My onion took 40 minutes to reach this beautiful color.

As they caramelize the onions release their natural sugar which makes them sweeter and is what helps them to brown like this.

Now you're ready to top your burgers and steaks, season salads and sandwiches.  Enjoy!