Red wine caramelized red onions are the epitome of an easy-and-gourmet side dish or topping. Whip up these quick caramelized onions on the stove in 10-15 minutes. Serve red wine sautรฉed onions on any sandwich, on protein, in pasta dishes, and in eggs.

What you need to make them
First off… Since posting this guide on how to caramelize onions with red wine, I’ve had a couple emails asking, “do you need to add white sugar to caramelize onions?”. I think people ask this because they are confused how onions get the sweet caramelized flavor without sugar. But no, you don’t need to use white sugar in this recipe.
When you caramelized onions in red wine, the wine starts the caramelization process and adds deep flavor. For this recipe, I used a Cab Sauvignon called Merf wine from the Pacific Northwest.
Like all my recipes cooked with wine, I suggest you go for one you’d also like to drink – because you will get some of the flavor in the food, and because what else are you going to do with the rest of the bottle??
Try this recipe on fig and prosciutto pizza…
How to make caramelized red onions with red wine
Step 1. Add onion, garlic, and oil to a pan on medium heat and stir regularly until brown, about 10 minutes.
Add a drizzle of olive oil, as needed, to prevent onions from sticking to the pan.
Step 2. Add wine, reduce to medium-low and cook until the wine is fully absorbed into the onions.
Know what else is amazing with red wine? These sauteed mushrooms with thyme and red wine.
How long do caramelized onions last?
Caramelized onions last a few days in the fridge. If you want them to last longer, freeze batches of caramelized red onions in muffin tins.
Some of my favorite recipes with caramelized onions are salads, sous vide pulled pork sandwiches, sous vide burgers, homemade pizza, eggs, pasta, to any of these grilled cheese sandwich ideas and to top this pear and goat cheese pizza.
If I need an extra “something” for a holiday or party, I’ll serve an onion side dish for steak, turkey or ham. And they’re always welcome and enjoyed on a cheese plate. If you have sous vide equipment, check out this recipe for sous vide onions.
If youโre looking for a tasty side to use caramelized onions, see this scalloped potatoes gratin with pesto. Itโs a super easy side dish – or maybe a main if you toss some ham in there, too. It has potatoes and pesto, milk, caramelized onions, frozen peas, cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
See how to cook peppers and onions on Blackstone griddle grills…
Caramelized Onions in Red Wine (Sip Bite Go)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 tbsp garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine
Instructions
- Make caramelized onions. Add onion, garlic, and oil to a pan on medium heat and stir regularly until brown, about 10 minutes. Add a drizzle of olive oil, as needed, to prevent onions from sticking to the pan.
- Add wine, reduce to medium-low and cook until the wine is fully absorbed into the onions.
Doral Allen says
If I could give this 10 stars, I would. So simple, so flavorful, so perfect. We put these on top of New York steaks along with sauteed, quartered mushrooms in barbecue sauce, and I think my husband and I died and went to Heaven.
Dalene Ekirapa says
Those caramelized onions look too inviting! How delicious! I added them to a corn-and-beans dish and oh my! It was scrumptious! Thanks for the recipe…really needed this!
Veronica says
I added to a fig and goat cheese grilled cheese sandwich! So good!!
Kuntala Banerjee says
So perfect. I will definitely try it out again with a different wine.
Mamie says
We love cooking our onions this way.
Clarice says
This is a perfect side dish and very easy to make. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Do you also have food ideas that go well with this?
Developer says
Hey Clarice, these onions are delicious on sandwiches, pizza and in pasta dishes
Karen says
I added a little Balsamic vinegar with the wine — yum!!
Ariana Dagan says
My favorite, these look delicious! Can’t wait to make them!
Jackie Koch says
Holy moly this all looks delicious! I love red wine and any dish with onion!
Sherri says
Any time red wine is involved is a good time! These onions would be great with so many things but I’m totally digging the idea of putting them on a pizza! So fabulous! ๐
Lauren Vavala | Delicious Little Bites says
What a way to easily fancy up a dish! So many uses – gotta try this soon!
Adrianne says
I love a glass of red and red in a recipe is even better. These sound great and are very versatile. Thanks for sharing.
Ellen says
I always caramelize sweet onions but really need to try using red onions.
Suzy says
Oh my goodness! These caramelized onions look insane!
Pam Greer says
I can’t believe I haven’t used wine to caramelize onions!! What a great idea!