If you love onions (or butter), you need to try an onion boil. It's downright delicious.
I Tried the Viral ‘Onion Boil’ Recipe and It’s Worth the Hype
Published on Nov. 08, 2024
I love the aroma of onions caramelizing in butter. That said, I never thought I would want to eat an entire onion all by myself. However, this viral TikTok recipe has me reallocating funds to a dedicated onion budget. If you have seen videos of creators making an onion boil, you understand why.
Like our recipe for creamed onions, the onion boil recipe is hardly new. However, it has blown up on social media and is probably causing onion farmers (and breath mint manufacturers) to see profits like never before. While some TikTokers dig into their onion boil straight up, others use this buttery, seasoned, tender onion to create unique burgers or finish a steak recipe. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that’s affordable, versatile and yields a huge flavor payoff.
What is an ‘onion boil’?
Onion boil is a term that covers a category of recipes that involve hollowing out a whole onion, stuffing it with butter and seasonings, and then cooking it in the oven, grill or air fryer until sweet, tender and dripping with buttery goodness. Most versions wrap the onion in foil before cooking to help the onion steam and lock in flavor. However, air-fryer onion boil recipes typically leave the onion unwrapped to allow the edges to get slightly crisp.
As for seasonings, Old Bay is a popular choice (and, likely, why the recipe is known as a “boil”). However, you can doctor up your onion with any seasonings you enjoy. Steak seasoning, homemade taco seasoning, lemon pepper or curry powder would all taste great and give you leeway to enjoy this humble onion dish with just about any cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet onion, peeled
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1: Core the onion
Using a sharp paring knife, core the center of a sweet onion to create a hollow well. For best results, don’t go all the way through the other side. Make sure the bottom of the onion stays intact, so the butter doesn’t leak out instantly.
Editor’s Tip: An apple corer or vegetable peeler also works for coring an onion.
Step 2: Stuff with butter
Take 1 tablespoon of softened butter and stuff it into the cavity of the onion, filling the hole all the way to the top. Then, place the onion on a large piece of heavy-duty foil.
Step 3: Make the seasoned butter
In a small glass measuring cup, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and then microwave in 20-second intervals until completely melted. Stir in the herbs and seasonings, then pour the melted butter into the well in the center of the onion, allowing it to overflow and pool around the bottom.
Step 4: Wrap in foil and bake
Bring up the sides and corners of the aluminum foil and tightly wrap the onion. Place the foil-wrapped onion in an 8×8-inch square baking dish, then transfer to a 365°F oven. Cook for 1 hour.
Step 5: Open and serve
Remove the onion from the oven and open carefully. Serve as desired!
The onion blossom better move over, because onion boil is taking its crown. This onion is perfectly tender (even in the center) and the flavorful butter it’s bathed in is simply divine. I enjoyed my onion boil with a cast-iron steak and I don’t think I’ll serve a ribeye without an onion boil ever again.
Editor’s Tip: This onion will be brimming with hot melted butter, so serve it in a bowl or on a plate with a rim to prevent a mess.
Onion Boil Tips
How do you make an onion boil on the grill?
You can also make an onion boil on the grill. To make this version, prepare the onion as directed, then place the onions over indirect heat on a gas or charcoal grill heated to 350°. Cook for 1 hour. For more tips, check out this grilled onion recipe.
What type of onion is best for an onion boil?
Sweet onions (e.g., Vidalia) and yellow onions are most commonly used for an onion boil. However, white or red onions may also be used for this versatile recipe. Learn more about different types of onions, how they taste and how to best use them in cooking.
What to serve with an onion boil?
An onion boil can be enjoyed as a standalone snack or as a side dish with an array of meals. As a snack, try dipping pieces in ranch dressing or with copycat blooming onion sauce. As a side, serve this onion with burger recipes, an old-fashioned Frogmore stew or a sizzling, grilled ribeye steak.
