How To Grill Onions: 3 Ways - In The Kitch

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Do you feel like your burger is missing something?! It's probably begging for grilled onions. I will go over how to grill onions step-by-step including wedges, rings and whole in foil packages.

Grilled red onion rings in bowl with fresh rosemary.

Besides avoiding heating your house during the hot summer months, grilling onions on the BBQ, whether it be red, yellow or white, also adds a smoky flavor and added texture to many dishes like burgers, salads or all on their own.

You can grill up some frozen burgers all at the same time. The onions also taste amazing on my pulled pork burgers, bacon butty sandwich and easy caprese pasta salad.

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How to Grill Onion Wedges
How to Grill Onion Rings
How to Grill Whole Onions in Foil
Recipe FAQs
More Easy Grilling Tutorials
📋Recipe

How to Grill Onion Wedges

These grilled onion wedges are great as a side dish or snack.

Ingredients

onions - I used yellow onions but you can use any kind you like.
olive oil - Helps with achieving a caramelized outside and tender inside. Also helps the salt to stick.
sea salt - You can use table salt, but sea salt is less processed.
fresh thyme - Or your favorite fresh herbs (optional).

*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

Instructions

Step 1. Peel and trim the onions. Remove the outer layer of each onion and trim off the tops. Leaving the bottom intact will help keep the wedges together.

Pro Tip: If you want to cut the bottom of the onions off, use a grill mat to place the wedges on when cooking. This will keep them from falling through the grates.

Step 2. Cut into wedges. Cut the onions in half (Image 1), then cut each half into quarters (Image 2). Cut the quarters in half again (Image 3) to create 8 wedges per onion (Image 4).

Step 3. Heat one side of the grill. Heat one side of the grill and arrange the onions on the indirect-heat side (no flame underneath), but still close to the fire.

Onion wedges on grill with silicone brush.

Step 4. Grill the onions. Brush them with olive oil, cover the grill and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for about 10 more minutes, or until softened and slightly charred.

Chef's Note: If using a charcoal grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone. For a gas grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.

Step 5. Remove from grill. Place them on a plate and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh herbs, to taste.

How to Grill Onion Rings

If you're looking for onions to top your burgers or grilled brats with, these grilled onion rings are the way to go.

Ingredients

onions - You can use red, yellow or white onions with this technique as well.
olive oil and balsamic vinegar - For the balsamic dressing--this is optional.
fresh rosemary - Herbs are also optional but they add some freshness and flavor to the vinaigrette.

*Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

Instructions

Red onion getting sliced into rings on cutting board.

Step 1. Preheat and slice. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Peel the outer layer of the onions off. Trim off the tops and bottoms. Slice onions into ½ inch rings.

Step 2. Make the dressing/vinaigrette. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and rosemary leaves in a small bowl.

Red onion rings on grill getting brushed with vinaigrette.

Step 3. Transfer rings to baking sheet. Arrange the onions on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with some of the oil/vinegar mixture, reserving the rest to serve with later.

Red onion rings on sheet pan on the grill.

Step 4. Grill the onions. Place the baking sheet on the preheated grill (medium heat). With the grill open, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes per side. You want the onions to caramelize a bit and soften.

Chef's Note: If you aren't using the balsamic dressing, brush the tops of the onions with some olive oil.

Grilled onion rings in tongs and small bowl.

Step 5. Remove from grill. Remove the onion rings from the grill to a serving bowl. Toss with some of the reserved dressing.

Step 6 Serve. Serve immediately!

How to Grill Whole Onions in Foil

Ingredients

onions - I used yellow onions but use whatever type you have on hand.
BBQ sauce - Pick your favorite.
Freshly chopped parsley - Optional.

*Check recipe card for full ingredient amounts.

Instructions

Step 1. Preheat the grill:

Charcoal Grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone.

Gas Grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.

Step 2. Add onion to foil. Peel the outer layer of the onion off. Cut the top and bottom off. Place it on a piece of foil, large enough to wrap completely around it. Add the BBQ sauce and parsley.

Step 3. Close the foil pouch. Wrap the onion up in the foil, creating a foil package.

Step 4. Grill. Place it on the grill over the indirect heat, close the lid and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until softened all the way through.

Grilled whole onion on foil with BBQ sauce.

Step 5. Serve. Carefully open up the foil package; it will be hot. Slice and serve, topped with fresh parsley, or as desired.

Chef's Note: You can serve the onion whole, but you can also slice it as desired and serve it with this caprese salad, on top of a grilled bison burger or any way you choose!

Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to grill onions?

Onions are grilled perfectly when slightly charred and softened. The time it takes to achieve this will depend on the cut (wedges, slices, whole), the temperature of the grill, etc. Slices and wedges will have a similar cooking time (about 20 minutes) but it will take longer for a whole onion (about 40 minutes).

How do you grill onions without burning them?

To avoid burning, I like to grill my onions over indirect heat on the grill and/or use a baking pan. Also, keep a close eye on them!

📋Recipe

Grilled red onion rings in bowl on kitchen towel.

Grilled Onions 3 Ways

Joss Dyckson Here I will go over how to grill onions step-by-step including wedges, rings and whole in foil packages. Whether it be red, yellow or white, onions adds a smoky flavor and added texture to many dishes like burgers, salads or all on their own. 5 from 1 vote Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 25 minutes Course Side DishCuisine American Servings 4Calories 11 kcal

Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 1x2x3x

For Onion Wedges:

▢ 2 medium yellow onions
▢ olive oil
▢ sea salt
▢ fresh thyme or your favorite fresh herbs - optional

For Onion Rings:

▢ 2 medium red onions
▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
▢ sea salt - to taste
▢ fresh rosemary leaves - optional

For Whole Onion in Foil:

▢ 1 medium yellow onion
▢ 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
▢ freshly chopped parsley - optional

Instructions

For Onion Wedges:

Remove the outer layer of each onion and trim off the tops. Leaving the bottom intact will help keep the wedges together.12 medium yellow onions
Cut the onions in half, then cut each half into quarters. Cut the quarters in half to create 8 wedges per onion.
If using charcoal, put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone at medium-high heat. If using gas, turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat. Arrange the onions on the indirect-heat side (no flame underneath), but still close to the fire.
Brush them with olive oil, cover the grill and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for about 10 more minutes, or until softened and slightly charred.
Place them on a plate and drizzle with some more olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh herbs, to taste.

For Onion Rings:

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Peel the outer layer of the onions off. Trim off the tops and bottoms. Slice onions into ½ inch rings.2 medium red onions
Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and rosemary leaves (if using) in a small bowl.3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Arrange the onions on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with some of the oil/vinegar mixture, reserving the rest to serve with later.2
Place the baking sheet on the preheated grill (medium heat). With the grill open, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes per side. You want them to caramelize a bit and soften.
Remove the onion rings from the grill to a serving bowl. Toss with some of the reserved oil/vinegar mixture.
Serve!

For Whole Onion in Foil:

Charcoal Grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone.Gas Grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.
Peel the outer layer of the onion off. Cut the top and bottom off. Place it on a piece of foil, large enough to wrap completely around it. Add the BBQ sauce and parsley.1 medium yellow onion, 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
Wrap the onion up in the foil, creating a foil package.
Place it on the grill over the indirect heat, close the lid and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until softened all the way through.
Carefully open up the foil package; it will be hot. Slice and serve, topped with fresh parsley, or as desired.

Equipment

▢ Outdoor grill

Notes

If you want to cut the bottom of the onions off for the wedges, use a grill mat to place them on when cooking. This will keep them from falling through the grates.
The balsamic dressing is optional for the onion rings. If not using the dressing, brush the onions with some olive oil instead.
The nutrition information is for 1 serving of a yellow onion.
Cooked onions can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 40mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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