Caramelized Grilled Onion in Foil Recipe

To make this perfect side dish, you need one large sweet onion, a bouillon cube, and a pat of butter which will be sealed together inside a foil packet while the onion caramelizes on the grill for 1 hour at 350°F. This low-effort recipe yields a sensational result that will be the star of the plate!

Step-By-Step Guide to Grilled Onion in Foil

Choose a Sweet Onion

For perfect caramelization, buy an onion that’s a sweeter variety, like Walla Walla, Maui, or Vidalia onion.

Preheat the Grill

You will want to heat your grill or smoker to 350°F.

Skin Your Onion

Remove the outer layer of the onion until the flesh is exposed.

Carve Your Onion

When grilling and wrapping onions in foil, you will make a hole in the middle of the onion for heat to penetrate easily and to cook the onion more evenly.

Add Seasoning

You can get creative here. This recipe keeps it simple with butter and a bouillon cube. But you can replace the bouillon cube with kosher salt and ground black pepper, or any spice mixture you choose to change the flavor profile!

Foil Your Onion 

By wrapping your onion in foil, it won’t burn and pieces won’t slide off into the grill grates. The foil packet also keeps all the delicious flavor inside the onion.

Grill Until Tender

Set your grill to 350°F. Grill the foil-wrapped onion over indirect heat for 1 hour.

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Why Wrap Onions in Aluminum Foil?

There are many reasons to wrap onions in aluminum foil:

Storage in the Fridge

Storing onions in aluminum foil keeps them from oxidizing and doesn’t allow moisture to accumulate, preventing them from spoiling quickly. There’s no need to worry about them getting wet and becoming mushy. If you want to use them later, unwrap them and use them in any application!

For Cooking on the Grill

Wrapping them in aluminum foil will help them hold their shape while cooking, ensuring they don’t fall through the grill grates.

Can You Store Grilled Onions in the Foil that you Grilled Them In?

That foil is probably burnt beyond recognition, so it’s not recommended to store your grilled onions in the original foil, particularly if they’re going into something like soup or stew where they could pick up a strong flavor from the wrapping. If you want to store onions after grilling them, wrap them in new aluminum foil.

What is the Best Temperature to Grill Onions in Foil?

The perfect temperature for grilling onion is medium to high heat – a sweet spot would be reaching a temperature between 350°F – 400°F and leaving the onion on the grill for about 45 minutes.

What are the Benefits of Grilling Onions? 

Grilled onions have a rich, smoky flavor that you can’t beat. Onions are also a key ingredient in most recipes because they add flavor without adding fat or calories. Aside from taste, they also add a crispy texture. Grilled onions pair well with meats and other vegetables to create delicious dishes that won’t leave you feeling stuffed afterward!

Onions are a healthy food. They’re light, containing only 40 calories per 3.5 ounces. They’re full of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, vitamin C, and B6 (perfect for your skin and hair), potassium, fiber, and calcium. They’re also packed with antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds. These can all help lower the risk of cancer along with cholesterol levels, and help to prevent heart disease while boosting immune function.

What is the Best Way to Grill Onions?

Opinions vary among grill lovers, but most people will agree that foiling onions is a sure way to keep them soft while ensuring a seamless caramelization process while flavor is infused deep into the layers. Another critical factor is that you don’t shred the onion or cut it into small pieces, so you can avoid them falling off the grill grates during the cooking process.

What is the Difference Between Grilling and Roasting Onions?

Grilling and roasting are different things. Grilling is a generally faster cooking process that entails placing the food on a direct heat source and generally gives a nice brown or charred exterior to most dishes (if uncovered). Grilling is better for small pieces of food like onions, as it’s less likely to dry them out.

Roasting is a slower cooking process and comprises placing the food on an indirect heat source.

What Can You Make with Foil-Wrapped Grilled Onions?

You can pair foil-wrapped onions with meat and veggies as a topping or side. Here are some of the best ways to complement your dishes:

French Onion Soup

Foil-wrapped grilled onions make the best soup base, and they’re easy to chop up and add to any soup recipe. Plus, the grilled version will add plenty of smokiness to it. Add some broth, cheese, and bread, then simmer until hot and delicious!

Onion and Mushroom Skewers

Onion and mushroom skewers make a great appetizer. In this case, you can make both simultaneously. Get some wooden skewers and some mushrooms and onions. Wrap them up in foil, throw them on the grill, and you’re ready to go! Serve them warm with a dollop of sour cream.

Topping for Grilled Steak

Do you love steak but want something different than plain old steak sauce? Try adding grilled onions! And you have the added benefit of smoking them both at the same time. You can’t go wrong with this option.

Burger Topping

Caramelized sliced onions make an excellent classic topping for burgers. They’ll add some crunchy texture while giving you a hint of sweetness that’ll make any burger better.

Side Dish for BBQ Chicken

Another option is just slicing up those grilled onions into half moons and serving them as a BBQ chicken side dish. No one can resist caramelized onions at a barbecue!