Microwaves are usually overlooked when it comes to cooking vegetables beyond reheating. But with onions, the microwave offers several surprising advantages:
- Speed:Â Cook onions in 2 to 8 minutes depending on the method.
- Convenience:Â No need to stand over the stove stirring constantly.
- Flavor:Â You can bring out their natural sweetness without added sugar.
- Clean-Up: Fewer dishes — just a bowl and a microwave-safe cover.
How to Microwave Onions Like a Pro
Here are two impressive techniques for microwave onion cooking:
1. Soft and Sweet Sautéed-Style Onions (Ready in 5 Minutes)
Perfect for burgers, steak toppings, or pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion (yellow, white, or red), thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or brown sugar for extra flavor
Instructions:
- Place the sliced onions in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add the oil or butter, salt, and optional flavorings. Toss to coat.
- Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or vented microwave cover.
- Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes.
- Stir well. Microwave in 30- to 60-second bursts, stirring between each, until onions are translucent and soft (about 4–6 minutes total).
- Serve warm. They smell amazing and taste even better.
Pro Tip:Â Add a touch of garlic or rosemary for a gourmet twist.