Description
This viral TikTok recipe features a perfectly roasted sweet onion seasoned with Cajun spices and gently caramelized to tender, juicy perfection. Wrapped in foil and slow-roasted in the oven, this recipe brings out the onion’s natural sweetness and offers a flavorful side dish that’s simple to prepare and pairs wonderfully with rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion and Seasonings
- 1 large (15 ounce) sweet onion, peeled and ends trimmed off
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste when serving each layer)
- Optional additional seasonings: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Fats and Oils
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Garnish
- Optional: finely diced parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the onion.
- Prepare the Onion: Use a small melon baller to scoop out the top center portion of the onion about one-third down, creating a well. Place the onion on a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Add Fats and Seasonings: Put the vegan butter into the well you created. Mix Cajun seasoning, olive oil, and optional seasonings like garlic powder or Old Bay together, then pour this mixture over the butter in the well, letting it drip down the sides of the onion. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon salt and additional seasonings if desired.
- Wrap Onion: Tightly wrap the entire onion in the aluminum foil. Place the wrapped onion in a small baking dish or cast iron skillet to catch any oil that may leak.
- Roast the Onion: Roast the wrapped onion on the center rack of the oven for 1 hour. After an hour, remove and carefully unwrap the foil to check tenderness. The onion should be fork-tender, jiggly in the center, and slightly caramelized. If not done, reseal foil and roast an additional 10 minutes.
- Optional Broil for Caramelization: For a deeper caramelized exterior, open the foil, drizzle with more melted butter or olive oil and a pinch of salt, then broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Peel away the outer layer to reveal tender inner layers. Serve hot with an extra sprinkle of salt and pour all the flavorful juices collected in the foil over the onion. Garnish with diced parsley if desired and enjoy with sides like rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator after cooling to room temperature to maintain freshness.
- You can customize the seasoning by adding your favorite spices such as garlic powder or Old Bay for extra flavor.
- Carefully monitor the onion during broiling to avoid burning the caramelized top.
- Use a small baking dish or skillet under the foil to catch any drips and make cleanup easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 onion (about 120 grams)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
