Description
This Onion Boil recipe features whole onions simmered gently in a flavorful broth infused with garlic, herbs, and spices, then finished with a rich butter sauce and fresh parsley garnish. Perfect as a comforting side dish or a simple, elegant main course, this dish highlights the natural sweetness and tenderness of slow-cooked onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Onions and Aromatics
- 4 large onions (yellow or white onions work best)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
Finishing Touches
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Peel the onions carefully, keeping them whole. Trim the root ends slightly to help the onions stand upright and ensure even cooking.
- Sauté the onions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the whole onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally so all sides get lightly browned, enhancing their flavor.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Season the pot with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Stir gently to combine all ingredients without breaking the onions.
- Simmer the onions: Cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to low, and allow the onions to simmer gently for 35-40 minutes until they are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove cooked onions: Carefully transfer the tender onions from the pot to a serving dish, keeping them whole.
- Prepare butter sauce: In the same pot, add the unsalted butter and cook for 1-2 minutes to melt and incorporate the butter into the remaining broth, creating a rich sauce.
- Finish and garnish: Drizzle the butter sauce over the cooked onions. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top as a vibrant garnish.
- Serve: Serve the onion boil warm as a comforting side dish or a simple yet elegant main course.
Notes
- Use yellow onions for a sweeter flavor or white onions for a sharper taste.
- Vegetable broth makes this dish vegetarian and easy to adapt for different diets.
- Adjust herbs and spices to your preference; rosemary or bay leaves could add interesting flavors.
- Ensure the heat is low during simmering to prevent the broth from boiling off too quickly.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or roasted meats.
