Problembeginnerdraft

Onions burn instead of browning

Also searched as: black onions, bitter onions, caramelising onions

In short: The heat was too high for the time. The sugar burns on the outside before the onion is soft and evenly brown.

Picture it

Like starting a marathon at a sprint.

What happened in your kitchen?

Question 1

What heat did you cook at?

Heat too high
Onions contain a lot of sugar, which burns quickly in strong heat.
Next time: Medium to low heat · For deep brown onions allow 30–45 minutes
Too few onions in the pan
A few onions in a big pan dry out at once and burn at the edges.
Next time: A pan of the right size · Add a splash of water if it goes too fast
Cut unevenly
Thin pieces burn while thick ones are still raw.
Next time: Cut to an even thickness

Sources · 1