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    Home » Vegetable Recipes » Caramelized Shallots

    Caramelized Shallots

    Last updated: Oct 15, 2022 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    These very flavorful caramelized shallots make a wonderful side dish to almost any meat you can think of.

    They are buttery and delicious and quite easy to make. The leftovers are good too! I like them in an omelet.

    Caramelized shallots served on a white plate.

    The flavor profile of this dish is so complex and interesting. It's always amazing to me how cooking changes onions, and this is true for shallots too, of course.

    Any hint of sharpness is gone, and instead, you get this wonderful, creamy sweetness. It's like magic!

    I lightly adapted this recipe from Ina Garten's recipe. It's a simple recipe. Fresh shallots are roasted in butter and balsamic vinegar until caramelized into a unique, intense flavor experience. Roasting really brings out the natural sweetness of the shallots.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty shallots recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    Unsalted butter: I love using European butter, it's so flavorful. But any butter will be great.

    Peeled whole shallots: You can find shallots in the supermarkets right next to the onions. Whole Foods sells a very convenient bag of peeled shallots. You'll need two of those for this recipe.

    Balsamic vinegar: Its relatively high sugar content helps the shallots brown.

    To season: Kosher salt and black pepper.

    Instructions

    Caramelized shallots are very easy to make! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    Your very first step is to cook the shallots in butter in an ovenproof skillet until browned.

    Next, remove the skillet from the heat and allow it to slightly cool. Now you add the vinegar, salt, and pepper. Then turn the shallots in the sauce to coat them.

    Now, transfer the skillet to a 400°F preheated oven and bake the shallots until they are fork-tender. This should take about 20 minutes, and I like to flip them midway through roasting.

    Time to eat! Spoon the yummy cooking liquid on top of the shallots and serve them.

    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making caramelized shallots.

    Expert tip

    Much like sauteing onions, patience is key. So when you brown the shallots in the skillet, keep the heat on medium, and don't be tempted to turn it up. You want the shallots to slowly brown and caramelize.

    Frequently asked questions

    What's the difference between shallots and onions?

    Shallots are a member of the allium family, just like onions and garlic. But they are noticeably milder than onions, and their flavor is richer and sweeter. I actually like them better than onions.

    What is the difference between red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar?

    balsamic vinegar is darker and more syrupy than red wine vinegar, which is lighter and more liquid. It is also noticeably sweeter. That's why it's so useful at helping us to caramelize food.

    What does it mean, to caramelize food?

    Caramelizing usually involves cooking the food low and slow, allowing the natural sugars to break down into simple sugars. The result is a browned, sweet-tasting dish. This happens with shallots, and it also happens with onions.

    Variations

    One way to change up this recipe is to use ghee (clarified butter) instead of butter. The results will be similar, but ghee has a nutty flavor that I really like in this dish.

    One more thing that I sometimes do is add a bit of garlic powder. I sprinkle it on the shallots together with the salt and pepper.

    Serving suggestions

    These shallots are very versatile. They make a wonderful side dish to any meat. I often serve them as a side to beef tenderloin roast. They are also good with baked pork chops, pan-seared pork medallions, and grilled chicken tenders.

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave on 50% power prior to serving.

    This is one of those recipes where the leftovers truly taste good - almost as good as the freshly made dish. I sometimes chop them up and mix them into an omelet the next day for my breakfast, with a bit of shredded gruyere cheese. Yum! 

    Caramelized shallots served on a white plate.

    Related recipes

    • Roasted Red Onions
    • Roasted Onions
    • Sauteed Onions
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    Recipe card

    Caramelized Shallots
    4.96 from 46 votes
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    Caramelized Shallots

    Earthy, flavorful caramelized shallots make a wonderful side dish to meat. They are incredibly delicious and quite easy to make.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: French
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 213kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw

    INGREDIENTS

    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 lb. fresh whole shallots peeled (6 medium shallots)
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
    • In a large oven-proof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots, flat side down.
    • Cook, turning occasionally, until the shallots are browned, about 10 minutes.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and let it slightly cool. Drizzle the vinegar on top of the shallots, then sprinkle them with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss the shallots to coat them in the pan liquids.
    • Transfer the skillet to the oven. Roast the shallots for 10 minutes, flat side down. Carefully turn them to the other side and keep roasting until they are deeply browned and fork-tender (and smell amazing!), about 10 more minutes.
    • Divide the shallots between plates, spoon the pan sauce on top, and serve. You can garnish them with parsley if you wish.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them in the microwave on 50% power prior to serving.
    This is one of those recipes where the leftovers truly taste good - almost as good as the freshly made dish. I sometimes chop them up and mix them into an omelet the next day for my breakfast, with a bit of shredded gruyere cheese. Yum! 

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    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 2shallots | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 209mg
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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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