Description
This viral TikTok recipe features a whole sweet onion roasted to tender perfection with a flavorful blend of vegan butter, olive oil, and Cajun seasonings. The onion is roasted wrapped in foil until fork-tender and caramelized, creating a deliciously juicy and aromatic side dish or main component for meals. Optional broiling adds an extra layer of caramelization for a golden brown finish. Perfect served with rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables, this recipe highlights the natural sweetness of the onion enhanced by simple seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion
- 1 large (15 ounce) sweet onion, peeled and ends trimmed off
Seasonings and Fats
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste when serving
- Optional additional seasonings: ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Optional garnish: finely diced parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the onion.
- Prepare the Onion: Using a small melon baller, scoop out a well in the center of the top portion of the onion about one-third of the way down. Place the onion on a sheet of aluminum foil.
- Season and Add Fat: Place 1 tablespoon of vegan butter into the well you created in the onion. Mix the Cajun seasoning, olive oil, and optional seasonings if using, then pour this mixture over the butter so it drips down the sides of the onion. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon salt and any additional seasoning on the onion.
- Wrap for Roasting: Wrap the entire onion tightly in the aluminum foil. Place the wrapped onion in a baking dish or cast iron skillet to catch any leaking oil during roasting.
- Roast the Onion: Place on the center oven rack and roast for 1 hour. After roasting, carefully open the foil. The onion should be fork tender, slightly caramelized, and the center should jiggle. If it needs more cooking, rewrap and roast for an additional 10 minutes.
- Optional Broil for Caramelization: For enhanced caramelization, turn the oven to broil. Open the foil and drizzle additional melted vegan butter or olive oil and an extra pinch of salt over the onion. Broil for 5-10 minutes watching closely to avoid burning, until the top is golden brown and caramelized.
- Serve: Peel away the outer layer of the onion and enjoy each inner layer with an extra sprinkle of salt if desired. Pour all the flavorful juices from the foil over the onion when serving. Serve alongside your favorite sides like rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted Brussels sprouts. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator once the onion has cooled completely to room temperature.
- Optional seasonings like garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning add extra flavor but can be omitted for simplicity.
- Be sure to watch closely during broiling to prevent burning.
- This recipe yields two servings and works well as a side dish or part of a vegetarian or vegan meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 onion half (about 7.5 ounces)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
