Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep the Onion
- First, peel your large sweet onion and trim off both ends.
- Then, using a small melon baller, carefully scoop out the top center portion of the onion, going about a third of the way down, to create a well.
Infuse & Season
- Place the prepared onion on a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Add the vegan butter directly into the well you just created.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the Cajun seasoning and salt with the extra virgin olive oil.
- Now, pour this seasoned oil mixture over the butter in the well, allowing it to slowly drip down the sides of the onion for even distribution.
- Place a few fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs into the well with the seasonings and fat, and add a dash of balsamic vinegar.
- Make sure the mixture coats the well and begins to seep into the onion.
Seal for Roasting
- Carefully seal the entire onion tightly in the aluminum foil. This tight seal helps to steam the onion, ensuring it becomes wonderfully tender.
- Place the foil-wrapped onion in a small baking dish or a cast iron skillet. This will catch any potential leaks of the flavorful juices and keep your oven clean.
First Roast to Tenderness
- Roast the onion on the center rack of your oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.
- When the hour is up, remove the onion from the oven and carefully open the foil.
- The onion should be beautifully fork tender throughout, and the center should have a slight jiggle when gently nudged. You should also see the beginnings of a lovely caramelization.
- If your onion needs more time to reach this perfect tenderness, simply reseal the foil and pop it back into the oven for another 10 minutes, then recheck. Watch closely; we want tender, not mushy, and perfectly cooked, not undercooked.
Broil for Golden Perfection
- Now, turn your oven to broil.
- Open the foil completely and drizzle a little more melted vegan butter or olive oil over the top, along with an extra pinch of salt.
- Broil for 5-10 minutes. This is a critical step, so watch the onion continuously to achieve that gorgeous golden brown caramelized exterior without burning it.
- Once it reaches that perfect golden hue, remove it from the oven and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Serve & Enjoy
- To serve, carefully peel away the outermost layer of the roasted onion, and then enjoy each delicious layer beneath.
- Do not forget to pour all of the accumulated flavorful juices from the aluminum foil over the onion when serving; this is where so much of the concentrated flavor resides!
Nutrition
Notes
For best results, use a sweet yellow or Vidalia onion, as they caramelize wonderfully and hold their shape. Vegan butter is used for a plant-based option, but regular butter or just olive oil can be substituted. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute Blend, onion powder, and black pepper. Always watch closely during the broiling step to avoid burning. Don't skip creating the well in the onion, and ensure it's tightly wrapped in foil for steaming. Pour all accumulated juices over the onion when serving for maximum flavor. Garnish with finely diced parsley leaves if desired. This recipe stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.