Garum
Techniqueintermediatedraft

Browning onions with baking soda

Also searched as: quick caramelised onions, fried onions, baking soda trick

In short: A tiny pinch of baking soda makes onions turn soft and brown much faster.

Picture it

Like an accelerator pedal for browning and softening at the same time.

What happens

makes the surroundings alkaline. That speeds up the and dissolves the cell glue faster. The turn soft, almost creamy, and deep brown in a fraction of the time.

How it’s done

Sequence · Step 1 of 4
1234

Sweat the onions in oil or butter over medium heat.

All steps as a list
  1. Sweat the onions in oil or butter over medium heat.
  2. Sprinkle over a tiny pinch of baking soda and stir.
  3. Keep frying until golden brown and soft.
  4. If needed, loosen the bottom of the pan with a splash of water.

Common mistakes

1
  • Too much baking soda: the onions turn mushy and taste soapy.
Related entries
Vegetables soften (pectin breakdown)Onions burn instead of browningAlkalis speed up browning
Sources · 1
  • Harold McGee: On Food and Cooking (2004), Kapitel Gemüse, Eier