11 Inspiring Ideas for Caramelized Onions Across Every Daypart

Caramelized onions are a little bit of kitchen magic, transforming an everyday kitchen workhorse – the onion – into an ingredient that is soft, silky, rich, tender, and sweet. It’s no wonder they continue to show up across the menu, adding a premium touch to everything from burgers to steaks to omelets.

Yet they also continue to drive new, on-trend menu options. Indeed, French onion soup-inspired foods – indulgent dishes featuring caramelized onions and gooey cheese inspired by the classic French comfort food – have increased their menu penetration by 50% year over year.¹ Today’s menus feature options like French onion soup mac ‘n’ cheese, pasta, sandwiches, and more.

But caramelized onions are also notoriously finicky and time-consuming to make. Some chefs and influencers have even started calling out recipe writers for recommending ludicrously short cooking times to achieve a properly caramelized onion (5 minutes, 10 minutes) when, in reality, they take upwards of 45 minutes.

At a time when kitchens are short-staffed – and the staff that is working may not have extensive culinary skills – the time and effort required to caramelize onions from scratch isn’t worth it for many operators. That’s why Simplot® Simple Goodness™ RTE Caramelized-Style Onions are poised to become a kitchen staple for operators across every segment. They add that premium, gourmet touch (and a boost to the check average) to a diverse range of dishes while cutting prep time by a whopping 93%.

Looking for some inspiration? Consider these 11 flavor-packed recipe options, each ready to become a new customer favorite, from breakfast to lunch to dinner:

Breakfast

1. Chorizo Smash Breakfast Taco
These bold breakfast tacos give consumers the Mexican flavors they love with a twist on an on-trend technique – griddle smashing. In fact, these are double-smashed, with house-made chorizo balls first getting the smash treatment, then smashed together again with cheddar cheese and tortillas on the griddle. It’s all topped with a whole egg, a healthy portion of our RTE Caramelized-Style Onions, smooth and creamy avocado, and a final sprinkle of cilantro.
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2. Bacon, Egg, and Cheddar Caramelized Onion Biscuit Sandwich
For a crave-able indulgence that works for breakfast, brunch, and late-night menus, this egg sandwich combines creamy and rich Cucumber Tzatziki Avocado Spread and savory and sweet Caramelized-Style Onions on a hearty buttermilk biscuit with cheddar cheese, a fried egg, two slices of bacon, and a final dusting of chives.
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3. Wholesome Breakfast Veggie Bowl
It may be a lighter option for those health-focused customers, but this morning bowl doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. A base of Ancient Grains and Kale and Roasted Sweet Potatoes are topped with Caramelized-Style Onions, while goat cheese, crumbled sausage, arugula, and Diced Avocado make it even more filling and flavorful. A final poached egg and a drizzle of balsamic glaze put it over the top.
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Lunch

4. Caramelized Onion Hummus
It wasn’t long ago that industry experts began to notice the “hummus wave” on menus had begun, turning into a veritable tsunami,² as the plant-forward, Mediterranean dip began showing up as a dip in appetizer charcuterie boards, as a spread on sandwiches and salads, as a creamy base for veggies and proteins – the options are endless. That same versatility is possible with this caramelized onion hummus, which takes the classic spread to the next level with a healthy portion of Caramelized-Style Onions combined with thyme and cumin.
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5. Caramelized Onion Burger
When a gourmet twist on a customer favorite is needed, this crowd-favorite burger offers thoughtful tweaks on the classic build. A beefy burger showcases juicy flavor with the simple addition of Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and parsley. The grilled patty is topped with a melty slice of caramelized onion Jack cheese, arugula, and Caramelized-Style Onions, and it’s all nestled into a soft brioche bun.
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6. Caramelized Onion Club Melt
There’s a traditional club sandwich, and then there’s this melt, which turns it into an everyday indulgence. Thick, crusty sourdough bread sandwiches a combination of cheddar, turkey, ham, brie, Dill Pickle Flavored Avocado Spread, and Caramelized-Style Onions, which are all griddled together with butter until the bread is a toasted golden hue and the cheese is melty and crave-able.
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7. Cheesy Guacamole Fries
Loaded fries are a customer favorite, but their popularity means new variations are always in demand to keep the menu fresh and intriguing. For these cheesy guacamole fries, stay-crispy Clear Coated Tin Roof Fries are topped with a filling combination of ground beef, Caramelized-Style Onions, warm nacho cheese sauce, Dill Pickle Flavored Avocado Spread, diced tomatoes, a drizzle of fry sauce, and a little chopped cilantro, creating a colorful option that works well as an appetizer, lunch entrée, limited-time offer, or secret menu item.
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Dinner

8. Warm Gruyere, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Dip
Start dinner off right with an appetizer everyone can agree on. A mix of mayo, sour cream, bacon, chives, and premium Gruyere cheese form a creamy and indulgent base for the sweet, savory, and tender-yet-crisp Caramelized-Style Onions. This baked, bubbly dip is served with a clever combo of SIDEWINDERS™ Fries and sliced apples.
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9. Caramelized Onion Mac & Cheese
It’s almost hard to imagine a time before gourmet, artisan takes on mac ‘n’ cheese were the norm on menus. In this entrée or side, a simple and classic mac ‘n’ cheese build – a cheesy pasta made with both creamy Gruyere and nutty Parmesan – becomes the showcase for a new star flavor: Simplot® Simple Goodness™ RTE Caramelized-Style Onions.
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10. Rib Eye with Caramelized Onion Blue Cheese Sauce
Steak and caramelized onions are a classic combo for a reason. In this showstopper entrée, a premium rib eye is topped with a sauce made from Caramelized-Style Onions, rich heavy cream, and umami-forward Worcestershire, taken to the next level with another classic steak accompaniment – blue cheese. It’s a bold dish that feels like a modern classic.
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11. Beer Cheese, Brat, and Caramelized Onion Pretzel Pizza
Have your own “brat summer” with this attention-getting pizza, which is equally at home on warm- or cold-weather menus (it’s a natural for Oktoberfest LTOs). This fun and unique build starts with a pretzel dough pizza crust, which gets a healthy amount of beer cheese coverage before it’s topped with Caramelized-Style Onions, sliced bratwurst, and even more cheese – cheddar and pepper jack – plus a final garnish of chopped parsley.
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Simplot® Simple Goodness™ RTE Caramelized-Style Onions are an operational powerhouse, commanding incredible labor and time savings while adding plenty of gourmet flavor that commands a more premium price point. Level up your menu and add them to your culinary arsenal today.

¹ NRN
² Restaurant Business