Cooking onions softens their texture, caramelizes their natural sugars, and brings out their sweet and savory flavors. Here are some common cooking times for onions:
Sautéing: When sautéing onions over medium heat in a skillet with some oil or butter, it usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes to achieve soft, translucent onions. If you want to caramelize the onions, you'll need to cook them for a bit longer, around 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown.
Grilling or Roasting: When grilling or roasting onions, the cooking time depends on the size and thickness of the onion slices or wedges. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes at medium-high heat on the grill or in the oven until they become tender and slightly charred.
Braising or Slow Cooking: When braising or cooking onions in a slow cooker, they will take several hours to become fully tender and develop a rich flavor. Cooking times can vary, but generally, it takes 4 to 6 hours on low heat in a slow cooker or 1 to 2 hours in a covered pot on the stovetop.
Caramelizing: To achieve deeply caramelized onions with a rich, sweet flavor, it can take 30 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the heat and the quantity of onions you are caramelizing. Lower heat and patience are key to achieving the best results when caramelizing onions.
Keep in mind that the cooking times mentioned above are general estimates and can vary depending on the type and size of the onions, the heat source, and your personal preferences for the texture and flavor of the cooked onions. Always monitor the onions while cooking and adjust the heat and cooking time accordingly to achieve the desired outcome.