Less Stinky Dehydrated Onions! DIY Caramelized Onions

[@s.k.1091]

I just made these yesterday with Peruvian sweet onions, ‘browned’ in a bit of water on stove top. Then added a bit of balsamic and Coconut Amino Liquids for flavor. They turned out great! Lovely & delish aroma in the house :-) Added the broth to some leftover broth from prepping tofu for dehydrating, then froze the combo in large cubes for sautéeing during the winter 😎 Hard to find much on dehydrating tofu, but found a great non-KZbin site by someone named Chef Glenn, the backpacking chef. VERY informative!

[@gwizu3]

This is the only way I dry onions. I drain off the liquid in the bottom and dry it. It is THE BEST thing I've dried Ever. I cook mine on low for up to 24 hrs. Thanks for sharing my favorite dehydrating recipe!!!

[@teresadean1995]

I bet these would be great in a loaf of bread, when I make bread I sometimes add things in the dough and sprinkle on top that has been coated with oil. Yumm

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

They are!

[@LisaHeim]

I caramelized my onions in a pan and after dehydrating, they are just like candy. Thank you, I wouldn't have thought about dehydrating them.😊

[@Ldybugsrus-Nadine]

Caramelized onions are so good. I love them crunchy on a salad or a hamburger, but if you want plain dried onions with out the smell just blanch them first. I cut mine sliced and diced dropped in boiling water just real quick then scooped them out with a long handled strainer and plopped on the dehydrator tray. no stink.

[@gailkerr3652]

When I made these I had no idea what I would use them for. Last week we had a potluck at work and I made delicious roast beef pinwheels and used my mortar and pestal to crush up the onions to mix in with the cream cheese mayo mixture. They were a big hit and I will be making more of these onions and the pinwheels. Thank you for all of your great work.

[@janisholloway3038]

Yeah. Got your cookbook. So excited. Haven't really gotten to check it all out because I have had some health issues. But bless you because you have helped me so much. Hope you are able to continue helping us all. Thank you.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hope you feel better soon!

[@Cordelia0704p]

Onions are one of my favorite dehydrated products you taught me to make. Can't wait to try this one! Also reminds me I need to make more onion jam lol

[@aloras405]

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I hadn't thought about drying caramelized onions! I am growing my own onions this year.

[@priayief]

What an interesting and different way to dehydrate onions. I've been creating onion powder and flakes by simply dehydrating thinly-sliced onions the either crushing (for flakes) or grinding (for powder). I hadn't thought of caramelizing the onions before dehydrating. Looks interesting.

[@lynnmoshansky4785]

Such a great idea! It’ll be so handy to have them on hand to make French onion soup as it’s not fast when you have to caramelize them first. Brilliant thanks!

[@allienoneya4257]

I always dehydrate my onions and garlic together. Then it smells like I am making an Italian meal. So it doesn’t have that bad just onion odor. Works for me😊

[@kimberleygardner3294]

Balsamic vinegar plus brown sugar makes for delicious caramelised onions.

[@lindaromas]

I canned some carmelized onions last year. I’ve got 2 pints draining right now! Thank you!

[@marygrott8095]

I used these to make your taco soup in a jar recipe. I just sent one soup jar to my son, and I made one for our panty. That leaves my pantry supply a bit low on dehydrated onions, so I need to make some more!

[@latriciacagle4873]

I carmelized some sweet onion in my cast iron skillet. I had just got my dehydrator so I dehydrated them. I snack on them.

[@cindycarnes6441]

They are so incredibly good.

[@marvinboggs]

You make excellent, to-the-point videos, Ma'am. Thank you.

[@jenarutberg9323]

One of my favorite foods is caramelized onions! I can't wait to try them, that's such a great idea! The hard part will be not eating them before I get a chance to dehydrate them. Thanks again for a great idea!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hope you enjoy

[@COWELLGIRL]

Great idea ! I canned several last year ! This will save them !

[@victoriastevens6507]

As soon as I saw this I went out and bought onions. I dehydrated the caramelized ones and have already used them in a pasta dish. I'm gonna have to do more because they're so good I'll b hoarding them instead of using them. 😄

[@eileenfry4331]

For some reason, I always thought dehydrating was just taking a fruit or vegetable and drying it. I never thought about seasonings and recipes like veggie chips. I enjoy your videos.

[@johannahs1967]

I actually saw your blog post and did this, this weekend. I have onions out of the garden that were harvested in September that aren't storing as well as I hoped. Was looking for other ways to preserve them. So excited to use them, thanks for sharing.

[@julieneilson7302]

Hey Darcy, once again, thank you for a great clip! ( it’s Sunday here in Australia. I’m having my lunch break after bottling some preserves ( lying down watching you on KZbin ❤). These are on my ‘to do’ list!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Enjoy your afternoon!

[@MsGumflip]

Those look amazing ! I can’t wait to try some. I just picked up Pink onions that are so pretty. (I’ll dry them regularly) But I have a bag of yellow that are now calling my name !! Thanks so much !!…. I could just cry ..haha

[@earleencadwell8373]

Thank you Darcy for another great recipe.❤

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Hope you enjoy

[@s.k.1091]

I just got my first electric bill since getting an Excalibur. Have done about 4 long days of dehydrating (not more than 10-12/hours each day). It really made a difference on my bill for those days!!! As in higher costs - mostly in off-peak hours too :-(

[@marthaadams8326]

They might have increased the charge for electricity on you. They are doing this everywhere. Also, you can check the wattage with a thingamachig that you plug in and it will tell you how much you are using with any appliance that you plug in. I never found that a dehydrator had a big addition to my electric bill. Also, canning would probably take a lot more.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It will depend on where you are, the wattage, the rates, etc. Mine is about $1.00 per day, but I look at it as being a worthy investment of pantry safe foods vs watching television or other such things. Food preservation trumps entertainment in our house.

[@carolschedler3832]

The last couple electric bills have zoomed higher than ever for us. Does your electric bill show a daily usage? Edited to add: without dehydrator running - ie: the rates are sky high

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

@@carolschedler3832 Like any other appliance you use, yes, your electric use goes up. But I do this for food preservation, not for entertainment (running TV, etc.), and we include it in our budget - it's important to us. If I was just doing snacks, I wouldn't prioritize it.

[@carolschedler3832]

@@ThePurposefulPantry Sorry I wasn’t clear. Bill went way up in general. I’m wondering how OP knew it was the dehydrator. Thanks Darcy

[@ivahihopeful]

Crazy, I’m making these NOW!

[@OkieJammer2736]

YES, PLEASE. 🤩 Oh, my.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

You read my mind! I've got 6# to do. A great addition to my 4 onion blend.

[@myprtrump2207]

I made these and used them in my green bean casserole for Thanksgiving. TY, It was excellent and small leftovers.

[@gloriamanning6787]

I love the smell of cooking onions 🧅. Mm I’ll have to try this recipe next.

[@PattiRichey]

look at you cutting like crazy LOL! Nice one Darcy!

[@patriciajoyner9871]

I just bought big sweet onion.have them in my crock. My first trial run

[@JessieKlein]

Put onions in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into them. That will help reduce the amount of tears

[@Clynn57]

Great video. I’m guessing, but I think if you’re not fond of over powering onion smell from the slow cooker, using an Instant Pot is a great alternative. Yes, upon opening the IP, it’s strong, but not throughout your whole house for all those cooking hours. For me, it depends on the specific onion whether I enjoy the slow cook smell or not. I think I’ll try Instant Pot, next time.

[@debvoz]

Another way to flavor the caramelized onions is to use either plain or hard apple cider instead of water or balsamic vinegar

[@marygallagher3428]

Great tips! Thanks Darcy :-)

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Get the Printable Recipe here>> www.thepurposefulpantry.com/how-to-dehydrate-caramelized-onions/

[@patfranks4024]

Super yummy looking!!

[@ApteraPioneer]

So...my place has been smelling of onions all week, probably still does, and I do have a nice batch of thinly shredded (with my spiralizer) well dehydrated onions to show for it. Only, I wouldn't call them caramelized. Let them stew on the low slow cook setting of my Instantpot overnight, then added a couple of hours on the medium setting. While it cooked out tons of juice, it failed to caramelize, which is what I really wanted. I used red onions and nothing else. Want to do it again, but this time get better caramelization going. Any words of wisdom before I start again?

[@cindygere]

Darcy, They look so good! You always have the best ideas. Could you use some fresh garlic in the cooking process?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yes of course!

[@deborahgrantham7387]

I just did this, it’s delicious.

[@marilynparmelee]

Thank you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Good to see you, Marilyn!

[@nigelleyland166]

I tried cooked unions previously but could not get them to dry well, I have kept them just to see how well they would store, so far so good. I have come to the conclusion the drying temp was tto low, so will try again in the future. Thanks for the ongoing good content.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Drying temp was not too low - you can always go low, it wasn't long enough.

[@morganmom194]

If you having to give directions 😁, hold a toothpick between your teeth. Reminds you to breath through your mouth, eliminating onion burn in nose. Keep a pan on water handy to dip hands, knife, onions in. Blot on towel. Keeps down amount of onion juice particles that go airborne and burn your eyes. Thank you Darcy!!

[@JessieKlein]

Also put onions in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting into them. That will help reduce the amount of tears

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

That was quite interesting❤❤❤❤

[@hollish196]

SUPER! Thank you for the great method to do this. I will get some onions while they are fresh. In the Instantpot, is it cool to use the steamer cage to help with draining?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Whatever works for you.

[@susans5096]

Just got a roaster full. Thank you

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Enjoy!

[@tbone1504]

Can i make caramelized onions sautéed with olive oil and then dehydrate them? I'm not sure if I would like the balsamic vinegar. I would appreciate your advice.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No - no fats.

[@nakmorris7438]

When dehydrating caramelized onions, do they need to be done outside or can they be done in the house? Great video, as always. Thanks.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

It's always going to be what YOU can handle. We do caramelized ones inside - raw outside.

[@marthaadams8326]

Darcy, Thank You. I have been dreading doing my onions. This is so easy and I love the taste of caramelized onions. Can't wait to try it. Just had a big misfits delivery, so have to put that up first, but then onions. Do you have an equally easy way to do potatoes that are like fried, but not??? Just a thought.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No - sorry - potatoes need to be blanched and dried - no getting around it.

[@marthaadams8326]

@@ThePurposefulPantry Keep trying - must be a better way 🙂

[@knothead35]

Ohhh yeahhhh. Definitely going to do this

[@johnnewton3335]

excellant, thanks for that, i will buy some fruit leather sheets now as i tried parchment paper when making lemon powder and i couldn't separate it from the paper, also, my wife isn't keen on me leaving the dehydrator on all night so do you think it will be ok to say, dehydrate for five hours, leave off overnight then start again next morning? lastly, is there a reason why i cant start the process at 70c rather than 50c, sorry, we use Celsius in the uk. many thanks, we love your videos. john

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

The temps are given for best drying time. You can choose to go hotter than you need. I try to do F/C whenever I can.

[@kan-zee]

QUESTION : Would you call yourself a PREPPer ? thankyou for the Infotainment videos... 😎👍 I am thinking about buying a new dehydrator... I have the Nestco 4 tray beginners model...but now looking into the excalibur 4tray... for $140 (cheaper than my nestco) ...is this good ?? I don't want to buy a bulky 9 tray excalibur , for $400 cad

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

no - and why would it matter either way?

[@mangosuklaa]

I don't have a slow cooker. How would I do this on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I did mention you could do it on the stove top or Instant Pot or pressure cooker - you just have to be careful not to make them mush if you want them to have body.

[@rebeccabourliea1712]

Have you ever dehydrated satsumas or kumquats?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Oranges work just like satsumas - but no, I haven't done kumquats. We don't grow them in our area and I rarely ever see them in my stores. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpmyln2Qmrx4kLM

[@kaddydid9]

Yes I have. Kumquats are wonderful

[@lenoraw1098]

Can you make onions, bell peppers and garlic together just like this?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Sure, but I wouldn't stew them that way so much = but yes.

[@sandramulchahey8268]

These look interesting and delicious

[@marygrott8095]

They taste wmazing!

[@elizaC3024]

Great idea.

[@tbone1504]

I just made the caramelized onions. Can they be vacuum sealed in a jar, is it shelf stable? Or should it be used up within 6 months? Does it need an oxygen absorber? Thanks for your advice.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqCymoKgj8aMpsUsi=rHJXEeU0kJjlTaWI

[@mrsSmalone]

If these were "less" stinky then I will never do so the other way. Lol During the crock pot stage was the strongest. I'll do an instapot next time! What do you do with the onion broth? I've got a quart jar of it frozen waiting for a recipe...

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Use it just like you'd use any broth. We make rice with it, usually, if I have some.

[@7owlfthr]

Love, Love, LOVE your videos! Andvthankscgor not subjecting us to unnecessary prolonged viewing of cutting the veggies! Such a turn-off in others' videos!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Well, you'll get some of that in my videos on occasion - some folks like the exact process - so I try to switch it out.

[@7owlfthr]

@ThePurposefulPantry okay, but I've mot found any yet (and I've been bingeing) that were boring!

[@johndopamine7614]

And here I've always tried to finish my carmelized onion within a week or so before it goes bad in the fridge.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Yep - but doing this makes it so much more useful in so many ways!

[@suzettehopkins5734]

Will one crockpot full of carmalized onions fill a 6 tray cosori? I looked through the recipe and could not tell how much it makes. We have two crockpots if we need to make more to fill it. I liked your idea wostershire sauce and balsimic but someone also posted using brown sugar so I thought I could use our maple sugar with my maple burbon for one batch. I think the broth would be awesome with dried mushrooms to make a soup. ( Yea we love our mushrooms)

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

There's no 'recipe' per se. I can't know how big your slow cooker is to know if it will fit in a Cosori or not. But you'll likely be able to get it all in there. It's going to shrink a lot. Remember - when you add sugar, it makes storage and powdering more problematic.

[@suzettehopkins5734]

Not powdering these @@ThePurposefulPantry

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Even with the slices...sugar can make things sticky - so just be aware ;)

[@rhondanobert9586]

How much time would you do in instapot? Could pressure cook be used?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't know, frankly - you can look it up I'm sure. Just get them caramelized with whatever method you use.

[@gloriachambers3272]

Can silicone sheets be used?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Always

[@angiecarey567]

Could you use plastic wrap on the trays?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

You could, but I don't recommend it.

[@kimfoschini2774]

What setting on oven roaster

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't know, I'm sorry - I've never used one.

[@marthaadams8326]

My roaster is 150 degrees - the low on slow cookers are 120 degrees. Do you think it will work okay for the onions?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Just keep an eye on them.

[@marthaadams8326]

@@ThePurposefulPantry TY 🙂

[@jenniferk1129]

Can you turn caramelized onions into onion powder

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Yummmm!!!

[@hoosierpioneer]

Could I use silicone cookie sheets, flat ones?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

yes

[@hoosierpioneer]

@@ThePurposefulPantry ty

[@languagelynnie]

I made these because I read your book. They are AMAZING. By the way, your audio cuts out early then comes back. Can you fix that please?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No, sorry.

[@joannevans8278]

I couldn’t hear the name of the sheet that can be cut down? Sorry

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Use parchment paper or a fruit leather sheet - I use Homey that can be cut down easily. amzn.to/3YXy2se I always have the links in the description box of every video

[@joannevans8278]

@ thank you I’ll go back & check out your links sorry for not being able to hear you guess I’m starting to lose some hearing bummer I’m dehydrating one Caramelized onion as a test run in my small Septree dehydrator

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I linked to it above ;)

[@joannevans8278]

@@ThePurposefulPantry on order 😎

[@Deedee-xh7dh]

Got to try this.Now I had done raw pack chicken breast and pork.Some of my jars didn’t cover the meat all the.way Is my food ruined.I’m new at canning.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

If you followed the process, it's fine. I couldn't be there to see what you did, so can't tell you for sure. But meat isn't always covered with proper canning processes.

[@Deedee-xh7dh]

@@ThePurposefulPantry I did start to finish.Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question.Have a great day.

[@jenniferfletcher5425]

I do not have a crock pot anymore. My adult child wanted it. I do have an instant pot. Is there a link to how to do this in there?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

No - but I'm sure there are folks who have done it which you can look up. Just remember - don't use fats/oils. I don't an IP any longer, so can't give you instructions.

[@jenniferfletcher5425]

@@ThePurposefulPantry I will check on the FB page and search here as well. Thank you

[@truckerzwyf]

I noticed you didn't clamp your crockpot lid down. Was that to keep it from sweating? My first try at caramelized onions, it sweated so bad they were floating in juice. That someone said to cover it with a clean dry dish towel and set the lid on. No more sweating 🙂

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Clamping the lid is only recommended for travel by their instructions. The juice is broth - it's an awesome byproduct.

[@WendyHett]

Do you keep one dehydrator solely for alliums... onions, garlic, shallots? I just thought I would ask before I put 15 pounds of onions on to caramelize! 😂

[@WendyHett]

Also, THANK YOU for everything you do for us!!! I wouldn't be on this journey if I hadn't discovered you!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Nope! Mine do everything.

[@jazminew38]

I prefer red onions, much tastier.

[@deborahgrantham7387]

Sweet onions😋

[@lroche2164]

How many pounds are you doing?

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

I don't know, I don't track that way. I just have whatever is in my kitchen or however much I can purchase since I don't 'grow them for myself.

[@missmaam792]

I don't think that I have ever considered onions "Stinky".

[@knothead35]

They smell great, however the whole house smelled of onions for a few days. I made the mistake of dehydrating onions in my laundry room where I had my clean work uniform laying. I wore them into work and my coworker said " I smell hot dogs" I immediately realized it was from my dehydrating. Lol.

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

They can be very overwhelming in an enclosed space when dehydrating them.

[@missmaam792]

@@knothead35 😂

[@susandorry6149]

Thanks!

[@ThePurposefulPantry]

Thanks so much, Susan! I'm glad you found it helpful!