Description
A perfectly roasted sweet onion recipe that brings out deep caramelized flavors using vegan butter, olive oil, and a blend of Cajun and optional spices. This simple yet flavorful dish is roasted until fork tender and can be further caramelized under the broiler for a golden exterior. Ideal as a side served with rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large (15 ounce) sweet onion, peeled and ends trimmed off
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste when serving each layer
Optional Seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon old bay seasoning
Optional Garnish
- Finely diced parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the onion.
- Season the Onion: Use a small melon baller to hollow out the top center portion of the onion about one-third of the way down, creating a well. Place the onion on a piece of aluminum foil and add the vegan butter into the well. Mix the Cajun seasoning and olive oil together, then pour this mixture over the butter inside the well, allowing it to drip down the sides. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and any optional seasonings like garlic powder or old bay seasoning if desired.
- Wrap in Foil: Wrap the onion tightly in the aluminum foil, sealing completely. Place the wrapped onion on a small baking dish or cast iron skillet to catch any leaked oil during roasting.
- Roast the Onion: Place the baking dish on the center rack of the oven and roast for 1 hour. After roasting, carefully open the foil to check if the onion is fork tender and the inside jiggles. The onion should also be slightly caramelized at this stage. If it’s not tender enough, reseal the foil and roast for an additional 10 minutes before rechecking.
- Optional Broil for Extra Caramelization: For a golden brown, caramelized top, turn the oven setting to broil. Open the foil and drizzle additional melted butter or olive oil over the onion along with a pinch of salt. Broil for 5 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Peel away the outer layer of the onion and serve the tender inner layers, seasoning each layer with extra salt if desired. Pour all the flavorful juices from the foil over the onion before serving. This dish pairs deliciously with rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts. Enjoy while hot.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container once the onion has completely cooled to room temperature, then refrigerate.
- Additional seasonings can be adjusted to your flavor preference, such as adding more garlic powder or different herbs.
- This recipe serves 2 people but can be scaled for larger servings.
- Use a cast iron skillet or baking dish during roasting to prevent oil spills in your oven.
Keywords: roasted onion, caramelized onion, vegan side dish, easy roasted vegetables, cajun seasoning, vegan butter, healthy side, oven roasted onion