Sweet Grilled Onions

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Grill: 35 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Nov. 02, 2023
These onions are so delicious that we prepare them all year long—on the grill in summer, or in an oven preheated to 350° for the same amount of time in winter. A small salad, a slice of bread, and you've got a great light meal. This recipe is sure to become a favorite! —Mary Bilke, Eagle River, Wisconsin
Sweet Grilled Onions Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 4 large sweet onions
  • 4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 teaspoons white wine or beef broth, optional

Directions

  1. Prepare grill for indirect heat. Peel onions, leaving root ends intact. Cut a thin slice from the top of each, then carefully cut a 1-in. hole in the center. Cut each onion into quarters, cutting to within 1/2 in. of bottom. Place each onion on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 12 in. square).
  2. Sprinkle bouillon, thyme, salt and pepper into centers; top with butter. If desired, drizzle with wine. Fold foil around onions, sealing tightly.
  3. Grill onions, covered, over indirect medium heat until tender, 35-40 minutes. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape.
Sweet Grilled Onions Tips

Can you grill different kinds of onions?

There are six main types of onions, each with a slightly different flavor and texture. If you're making sweet onion recipes, look for Vidalias, Walla Wallas or Mauis. These onions have a mild flavor with a hint of sweetness, which makes them perfect for using raw in potluck salads and on sandwich recipes. They're also great for grilling to bring out their natural sweetness. You could also use white or yellow onions, but they will have a stronger onion flavor and not be as sweet.

Can you grill onions without tin foil?

This grilled side dish wraps whole onions in foil. They are tightly sealed to create steam as they slowly cook over indirect heat. This way, the outside doesn't get overcooked before the inside is tender. Sliced onions can be cooked right on the grill without foil because it doesn't take more than a few minutes for the heat to evenly cook the onion through.

How do you serve grilled onions?

Grilled onions are great on their own as a side dish. Or, chop them up after cooking to serve as a garnish for Fourth of July barbecue recipes (they're especially good on steaks and sausages). If you have leftovers, stir them into savory frittatas or scrambled eggs at breakfast the next day.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 onion: 216 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 1053mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.