How to Make Caramelised Onions (Fast!) for the Best Homemade Pizza
I use brown sugar, vinegar, and butter to speed up the process while still getting that sweet, rich flavour. You can use any type of onion you have at home—white, red, or brown—creating a delicious topping for your pizzas.
How to Make Caramelised Onions for Pizza (Quick & Easy)
Want to take your homemade pizza to the next level? These quick caramelised onions add a sweet, savoury depth of flavour that transforms any pizza into something special. Traditionally, caramelising onions can take up to 5 hours, but my shortcut method takes just 60 minutes, with the same delicious result!
I use everyday ingredients like brown sugar, vinegar, butter, and water to bring out the onions' natural sweetness and speed up the caramelisation. You can use any onions you have on hand—white, red, or brown. The result is soft, golden, flavour-packed onions that work beautifully on pizza, in sandwiches, or tossed through salads.
Prefer a slower, more traditional method without refined sugar or vinegar? I’ve also included a link to a great video showing how to make classic caramelised onions from scratch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
– Takes only 1 hour instead of 5
– Uses simple pantry ingredients
– Delicious on pizza and beyond
– Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian
Top Tip: Make a batch ahead and freeze portions—you’ll always have this flavour booster ready to go!
Takes = 45 to 60 minutes in total
Makes = 3/4 cup
Keeps = 5 to 7 days in the fridge
Ingredients
- Sliced (top to bottom) Red white or brown Onions 3 large or 6 small
- Butter – 1 tablespoon
- Olive Oil – 1 tablespoon
- Brown sugar – 2 teaspoons
- Balsamic vinegar – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 1 to 2 tablespoon or what's needed
Method
Step 1
PEEL onions and cut onion lengthways thin root to base (I call this stir-fry style)
Step 2
HEAT equal amounts of butter and oil about 1-2 tablespoon in a medium fry pan. Add onions and cook to soften for about 10 minutes. Then add salt and brown sugar. Add a little water if needed to stop the onions drying out. Cook on a low heat for about 30 - 60 minutes stopping to stir every now and then.
Step 3
Cool then store in a sealed container in the fridge for 5-7 days. These are great on pizza, served with toast and roasted tomatoes or as a side with meat.