Description
This viral TikTok Onion Boil recipe transforms a large sweet onion into a tender, caramelized delight by roasting it whole with vegan butter, olive oil, and Cajun seasoning. Wrapped in foil and slow-roasted, the onion becomes fork-tender with luscious layers perfect for savoring with a sprinkle of salt and its savory juices. Optional broiling adds a golden, caramelized crust making it an irresistible side or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary 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
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste when serving each layer)
Optional Seasonings and Garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- Finely diced parsley leaves (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Season the onion: Use a small melon baller to scoop out the top center portion of the onion about one-third of the way down creating a small well. This will hold the butter and seasonings to infuse flavor throughout.
- Add butter and seasoning: Place the onion on a sheet of aluminum foil. Add the vegan butter into the hollowed-out well. Mix the Cajun seasoning, olive oil, and optional seasonings if using. Pour this mixture over the butter inside the well, allowing the oil and spices to drip down the onion layers. Season the onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
- Wrap tightly in foil: Seal the onion completely in the aluminum foil, ensuring no steam escapes. Place the wrapped onion in a small baking dish or cast iron skillet to catch any juices or oil leaks during roasting.
- Roast the onion: Put the baking dish on the center rack of a preheated oven and roast the onion for 1 hour. The goal is to make the onion layers fork-tender and slightly caramelized.
- Check doneness: Carefully unwrap the foil and check the onion’s texture and appearance. The onion should jiggle in the center and be soft throughout. If it is not tender or caramelized enough, rewrap and roast for an additional 10 minutes, then recheck.
- Optional broil for extra caramelization: For a golden brown crust, open the foil after roasting and drizzle additional melted vegan butter or olive oil plus a pinch of salt. Turn the oven to broil and place the onion under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Peel away the outer onion layer and enjoy the soft, tender inner layers. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired and pour the flavorful juices collected in the foil over the onion. This pairs beautifully with rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts.
Notes
- Use a ripe sweet onion like Vidalia for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to taste if you prefer less heat.
- Broiling is optional but highly recommended for added texture and flavor.
- Save the juices for extra flavor; they enhance the dish’s moisture and savoriness.
- Can be served as a unique side dish or snack, suitable for vegan diets when using vegan butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: onion boil, roasted onion, vegan side dish, caramelized onion, TikTok recipe, vegan butter, Cajun seasoning, easy vegetable recipe
