Charred Onions on the Grill
Tender, sweet charred onions on the grill make a delicious condiment or side dish and are a snap to make using a grill basket. Little effort, big return.
Onions are a pretty traditional topping for burgers, but also delicious in burritos, quesadillas, scrambled eggs, salsas, quinoa or rice dishes. Or as a side for chicken or meat.
What to expect
You do need a grill basket for this onion recipe because thinly sliced onions would slip through a grill otherwise. I use my non stick basket several times a week to make grill basket veggies. So quick and easy. But don’t despair if you don’t have one. You have options. Read on.
The recipe is simple. Just slice the onions, place them in the grill basket, toss with a bit of oil, salt and pepper, then grill slowly on medium low to medium heat. Grill the onions to achieve as much char and tenderness as you like.
Bottom line – if you’re an onion lover you will love this grilled onion recipe.
Ingredients – tailored to your taste
Ingredients: onions, oil, salt, black pepper.
Here are a few variations you can try that will amp up or modify the taste.
- Toss the charred onions with a tablespoon of BBQ sauce or Balsamic vinegar at the end of grilling.
- Add additional seasonings such as smoked paprika or chili powder.
- Toss the grilled onions with chopped fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, oregano or rosemary after grilling.
- Add a teaspoon of oil or butter at the end.
How to make charred onions on the grill
Make Ahead
- This grilled onion recipe can definitely be made ahead. Either serve them at room temperature or warm the onions for 30-60 seconds in the microwave.
- I often grill main dishes (meat or chicken) beside them on the gas grill as it’s easy to adjust the grill at different settings if needed.
What to serve with charred onions
Charred or grilled onions are a versatile topping, filler or side dish. You will likely have lots of ideas of your own. I love them simply tossed with rice, quinoa or potatoes.
Here are a few other suggestions for using the onions as a topping, side or condiment for:
- grilled chicken burgers
- sous vide burgers
- bone-in ribeye steak (reverse sear method)
- marinated pork chops
- grilled marinated flank steak
- the perfect grilled steak
- cedar planked grilled whole chicken (as pictured below)
You can also try our kale slaw with hazelnuts and charred onions – good!
To onions fans: Check out our post on Onions: The Bare Essentials. It’s a quick summary on which onions to use for which purposes, how to store them and how to cut them.
Recipe FAQ
Option 1: Poke holes in the bottom of a tin foil tray (purchased or shaped from tin foil). Make sure you spray it with oil. Option 2: Use simple cooling rack placed upside down on the grill. Great grill basket hack! Option 3: Thickly slice the onions into 1/2 inch rounds, slide a skewer through each slice to hold them together, then grill each side. Option 4: if you don’t have a grill, you can also achieve a pretty good char by using a large cast iron skillet on the stove top at medium low initially, then medium high heat.
Choose a sturdy heavier one that will stand up to high heat. Thinner ones will buckle with high heat. I prefer a non stick finish for easier clean up, but many stainless steel grill baskets will go in the dishwasher.
One large onion will create 1/2-3/4 cup grilled onions. Two large onions should be enough for about 4 people as a side dish or 6 as a condiment.
Other grill basket veggies recipes
- Grilled cauliflower
- Bread salad with charred snap peas
- Grilled veggies recipe with potatoes
- Grilled cabbage (slaw)
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Charred Onions on the Grill
Equipment
- Grill basket (note 1)
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, Note 2 I use sweet onions and/or red onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- salt, pepper to taste
- pinch sugar (optional) helps caramelize onions
Instructions
- Heat gas grill to medium-high heat, about 400F/204C. Spray grill basket with oil. (No grill basket? note 1)
- PREPARE ONIONS: Thinly slice onions about 1/4 inch thick (Note 3). Transfer onions to grill basket sprayed with oil. Drizzle onions with oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and pinch of sugar. Toss to coat onions. Note 4 for optional seasonings.
- GRILL ONIONS: Lower heat to medium-low on one side of grill. Place grill basket with onions on part with lower heat. Close lid. Stir every 10 minutes for about 30 minutes or until onions are soft with as much char as you like. Increase heat to get more char if you like. Taste and adjust seasonings. (You can grill something else on the other side of the BBQ at the same time.). Serve warm or at room temperature as a side or condiment.
Recipe Notes
- If you don’t have a grill basket, here some options to use instead.
- Option 1: Poke holes in the bottom of a tin foil tray (purchased or shaped from tin foil). Make sure you spray it with oil.
- Option 2: Use simple cooling rack placed upside down on the grill. Great grill basket hack!
- Option 3: Thickly slice the onions, slide a skewer through each slice to hold them together, then grill each side.
- Option 4: if you don’t have a grill, you can also achieve a pretty good char by using a large cast-iron skillet on the stove top at medium high heat.
- Which onions to use: I like red onions or sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla, but yellow onions would work too. Check out our Onions: The Bare Essential article for which onions to use for which purposes.
- How to slice an onion: Cut onion in half from tip to root end. Place onion halves, cut sides down, on cutting board, peel off skin. Slice each half globe thinly from tip to root end.
- Optional seasonings to try:
- Add additional seasonings such as smoked paprika or chili powder.
- After grilling:
- Toss the charred onions with a tablespoon of BBQ sauce or Balsamic vinegar at the end of grilling.
- Toss the grilled onions with chopped fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, oregano or rosemary after grilling.
- Add a teaspoon of oil or butter at the end.
- Make ahead: Either serve the grilled onions at room temperature or warm them for 30-60 seconds in the microwave. I often grill meat or chicken beside them on the gas grill as it’s easy to adjust the grill at different settings if needed.
