Vegan Roasted Caramelized Onion with Cajun Seasoning Recipe
This Onion Boil Recipe features a whole sweet onion roasted to tender perfection with vegan butter, olive oil, and a blend of seasonings. Wrapped in foil and slow-roasted in the oven, the onion becomes soft, slightly caramelized, and bursting with flavor. Optional broiling at the end adds a beautiful golden crust. Served warm, this dish pairs wonderfully with rice and roasted vegetables, making for a comforting, flavorful vegetarian side or light main.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large (15 ounce) sweet onion, peeled and ends trimmed off
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste when serving each layer)
Optional Seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon old bay seasoning
Optional Garnish
- Finely diced parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for roasting the onion evenly and thoroughly.
- Season the onion. Using a small melon baller, scoop out the top center portion of the onion about a third of the way down to create a well. Place the onion on a sheet of aluminum foil and add vegan butter into the hollowed center. Mix the cajun seasoning, olive oil, and salt (along with optional garlic powder and old bay seasoning if using) and pour this mixture over the butter into the well, letting it drizzle down the sides of the onion.
- Wrap the onion in foil. Seal the onion tightly wrapped in aluminum foil and place it in a baking dish or cast iron skillet to catch any drips during roasting.
- Roast the onion. Place the wrapped onion on the center rack and roast for 1 hour until the onion is fork-tender, slightly caramelized, and the center jiggles when gently shaken. If not done, reseal and roast for an additional 10 minutes as needed.
- Optional broiling for caramelization. For a deeper golden crust, open the foil, drizzle additional melted butter or olive oil and a pinch of salt, then broil on high for 5–10 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve the onion. Peel away the outermost layer and enjoy each tender layer underneath, seasoning with extra salt if desired. Pour all the flavorful juices collected in the foil over the onion before serving. This dish is great alongside rice, crispy chickpeas, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator once the onion has cooled to room temperature.
- Adjust seasoning to your taste preferences, especially salt and spice blends.
- Be careful when broiling to avoid burning the outer layers of the onion.
- This recipe works well for a vegetarian or vegan diet when using vegan butter.
Keywords: roasted onion, vegan recipe, side dish, caramelized onion, healthy cooking, vegetarian, easy dinner