Candied Onion

Candied onions are sliced onions cooked slowly in a mixture of sugar, vinegar, and spices until they turn soft, translucent, and take on a sweet-and-sour glaze, a step beyond plain caramelized onions, which are cooked without added sugar or acid. The technique likely grew out of the older practice of preserving onions in honey or sugar syrup. They're used as a topping or condiment for burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and cheese plates, and are mixed into salads, grain bowls, and savory tarts. Variations use different onion types (red, white, shallots), added herbs or citrus zest, or a splash of liquor, and some recipes roast or grill the onions before candying them.