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Delicious Cajun Butter Onion

Featured in: Soups and Stews

This wow-worthy roasted onion turns a regular sweet onion into a soft, tasty side. You'll scoop out the middle, add Cajun spices and plant-based butter, wrap it in foil and bake till it's melt-in-your-mouth tender. You can pop it under the broiler for a nice browned top. Though it cooks for about an hour, you'll barely spend any time prepping. The end result looks fancy but is super easy. As you eat it, each ring pulls away with amazing flavor - it's good for you and tastes incredible too.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Fri, 18 Apr 2025 19:38:20 GMT
Tender boiled onions with a soft texture and mild, sweet flavor. Pin it
Tender boiled onions with a soft texture and mild, sweet flavor. | pinchofyummy.com

A regular onion turns into a soft, golden delight that's going viral on TikTok and Instagram. This mouthwatering treat shows how everyday ingredients can make amazing food. The long cooking time brings out all the onion's sweetness while the Cajun spices add just enough kick to keep you coming back for another bite.

I came across this dish while browsing my feeds late one night and couldn't wait to try it. After cooking it for my family, we couldn't believe how such an easy recipe could taste so complex. It's now our go-to way to make any regular meal feel special.

Must-Have Items

  • Sweet onion: Go for big, solid Vidalia or yellow varieties for maximum sweetness.
  • Vegan butter: Makes a smooth, delicious sauce while cooking.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Gives you that beautiful golden color.
  • Cajun seasoning: Offers the right mix of flavors and warmth.
  • Sea salt: Brings out the onion's natural sugar taste.

Crafting Your Onion Delight

Getting Started:
Start with a clean counter and sharp knife. Remove the onion skin while keeping the whole onion together. Cut both ends just enough so it sits flat. Use a small spoon to scoop out the middle top, making room for your butter and spices.
Adding Flavors:
Combine your Cajun spices with a big pinch of salt in a little dish. Drop a spoonful of butter right into the hollow part of your onion. Pour olive oil over the top so it runs down the sides. Shake your spice mix all over the surface.
Wrapping It Up:
Pull out a big piece of aluminum foil that can fully wrap around the onion. Set your spiced onion in the middle. Fold and pinch the edges closed but leave some room at the top for steam. If you don't like foil, a covered baking dish works too.
Cooking It Right:
Put your wrapped onion in a small baking dish to catch any drips. Slide it into your oven heated to 375°F. Let it cook without peeking for an hour, giving the layers time to get soft and sweet.
Getting That Golden Top:
Carefully open your foil package, watching out for hot steam. Test with a fork - the layers should pull apart easily and look jiggly. For extra browning, brush on more butter and broil for 5-7 minutes, keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn.
A small onion is cooked in a brown sauce, placed in a bowl on a table. Pin it
A small onion is cooked in a brown sauce, placed in a bowl on a table. | pinchofyummy.com

When I was little, my grandma always told me onions were what made food taste good. This dish would've blown her mind with how it turns a simple onion into something fancy. The smell that fills your house while it cooks always reminds me of her Sunday cooking.

Tasty Pairings

Make it a full meal by putting it on top of some rice with crunchy chickpeas. Serve alongside grilled meat or fish for a fancy dinner. Try it on loaded baked potatoes for something different. You can use this tasty onion in so many ways.

Fun Variations

Play around with other spice mixes like Italian seasoning or taco spices. Try stuffing bits of bread crumbs and herbs between the layers. Make a Greek-style version with oregano, lemon peel, and good olive oil.

Keeping Leftovers

Store any extra onion in a sealed container with all its juices. Warm it up slowly in the oven for best results, and don't use the microwave as it makes the texture weird. Try to eat it within three days while it still tastes amazing.

A pot of gently boiled onions, ready for seasoning and serving. Pin it
A pot of gently boiled onions, ready for seasoning and serving. | pinchofyummy.com

After making this viral hit many times, I've learned that taking your time really matters. The slow cooking lets all the flavors blend together, creating something way better than you'd expect. Whether you cook all the time or you're just starting out, this dish proves that sometimes the easiest recipes can wow everyone at the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of onion works best?
Sweet varieties like Vidalia are your best bet because they get extra tasty when they're roasted and turn all golden brown.
→ Why do I need to make a well in the center?
That little hole keeps your butter and spices in place so they can melt down and soak through the whole onion while it cooks.
→ How do I know when the onion is done?
You should be able to stick a fork in it easily, and the middle part should wobble a bit. The top should look a little golden and caramelized.
→ Can I make this ahead?
It's tastiest right out of the oven, but you can keep any extras in your fridge and warm them up in the oven later.
→ What can I serve this with?
It goes great with a pile of rice, some other roasted veggies, crunchy chickpeas, or really any main dish you want.

Butter Onion Cajun Style

A juicy sweet onion baked with plant-based butter and Cajun spices until it's soft and bursting with bold flavors.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Soups and Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (1 large onion)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 big (15 ounce) Vidalia onion, outer skin removed and tips cut off
02 1 tablespoon plant-based butter
03 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
04 1 teaspoon Louisiana spice mix
05 1/4 teaspoon salt, with extra for adjusting flavor

→ Optional Additions

06 1/4 teaspoon powdered garlic
07 1/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning blend
08 Chopped fresh parsley for topping

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 375 degrees F and let it warm up.

Step 02

Grab a melon baller and dig out the middle top part of the onion about a third down to make a little cup. Set it on some foil and drop butter into the hollow. Stir your spices with oil and drizzle over the butter, letting it run down the sides. Sprinkle with salt.

Step 03

Wrap the onion completely in the foil and put it in a small oven-safe dish or iron pan to catch any oil that might leak out.

Step 04

Put it in the middle of the oven for an hour. Poke with a fork to make sure it's soft, the middle part wobbles, and edges are browning. If it's not ready, wrap it back up and cook another 10 minutes.

Step 05

For a darker top, unwrap foil, brush with more melted butter/oil mix and add a tiny bit of salt. Stick under the broiler for 5-10 minutes until the top turns golden. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn.

Step 06

Peel off the first layer, add salt to other layers if you want. Pour the juices from cooking over everything. Enjoy while hot with a side of rice, chickpeas or some roasted veggies.

Notes

  1. Keep any extras in a sealed container in the fridge.
  2. Feel free to switch up the flavors with things like garlic powder or seafood seasoning.

Tools You'll Need

  • Melon baller
  • Aluminum foil
  • Small baking dish or cast iron skillet

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 163
  • Total Fat: 12.6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 12.5 g
  • Protein: 1.3 g