Smoked Onions
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Traeger smoked onions are the precursor to so many delicious foods. Upgrade the humble onion with this (relatively) quick and easy Traeger recipes!
I’m all about smoking things. Bacon wrapped Oreos, cake, salsa.
These Traeger smoked onions are no different. It’s amazing how throwing some peeled onions on the grill gives them a total flavor overhaul!
This smoked onions recipe is dedicated to my smoker!
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Tips + Tricks
No. 1 –> To quickly and easily peel and onion, slice off both the root and stem ends, then, carefully (!) slit the outer most layer of the onion. Grab one side of the sliced layer, and simply peel it off.
No. 2 –> This smoked onion recipe relies on a longer smoke for a sweeter, more mellow smoker infusion, just like my smoked garlic. If you’re looking for a stronger smoke flavour, slice the onions in half root to stem, leaving the ends intact – this will keep the onions from falling apart.
Key Ingredients
- Onions: Choose firm, unbruised onions with a clean papery peel. While you can smoke any variety of onion, I think the best onions for smoking are yellow or sweet onions. Both yellow and sweet onions lack the bitterness of red onions, and tend to be more versatile and adaptable in more dishes.
How To Smoke Onions
- Preheat your smoker to 180f, according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Slice both stem and root ends off the onions and remove peels.
- Place the onions directly on the grill grates and smoke at 180f for 60 minutes or until the onions start to soften and have a smoky aroma.
- Remove onions from smoker and prepare as desired. See below for ideas!
How To Use Smoked Onions
These onions aren’t a one-trick pony! Due to the low temperature and relatively short smoking time, the onions soften slightly but still retain a lot of bite. They can be used in any recipe that calls for onions! Here are a couple of great ways to use your smoked onions:
Caramelized Smoked Onions
- Once onions have been smoked and slightly softened, slice them and add to a skillet with butter, lard or bacon grease, using 4 onions: 1/4 cup fat ratio.
- Heat the onions over medium-low heat, stirring often until the onions are browned, sugars have caramelized and they are fragrant.
- Use the smoked caramelized onions anywhere you’d regularly use onions.
Add Them To Other Recipes
Traeger smoked onions are perfect for adding to any recipe calling for onions. Simply prepare them according to recipe requirements. Use them in your smoked brisket chili or meatballs, to top your baked potatoes, or even in your chicken noodle soup for an extra savory spin.
Heck, you can even give them a spin in this delicious French onion chicken dish!
Dress Up Classic Dishes
Add smoked sliced onions to tacos, nachos, wraps, burgers, or sandwiches to give a little extra pizazz! Heck, use them in dips and even jams!
Use them as a topping for your smoked pizza, especially if you’ve done the Traeger Pizza Oven Hack!
Smoked French Onion Soup
Umm hello!
Use your smoked onions to make smoked french onion soup, it’s to die for!
Preserve Them!
Because this recipe is so quick and easy, and isn’t hard to multiply, make a double batch to dice and dehydrate for later use.
Dehydrated onions can be used in diced form or blended up to make a smoked onion powder that would be a kick-ass ingredient in your brisket, ribs, or even chicken rubs!
More Smoked Recipes To Love
Batch + Storage Information
Batch:
This smoked onion recipe is infinetly scaleable. You can smoke as many onions as you’ve got or that will fit in your smoker!
One medium onion will yield approximately 1 cup of chopped or sliced onion.
Storage:
Your smoked onions can be left whole or prepared and stored in the fridge in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 days.
If you’d like to prepare a large batch and freeze them, the smoked onions can be chopped or diced, then spread in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Transfer the loaded cookie sheet to the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until the onions are frozen. Then transfer the frozen onions into a bag or container for long term storage.
Freezing the onions in a layer prevents them from becoming a frozen brick in the freezer. This will make it easier to get the quantity you need!
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📖 Printable Recipe
Smoked Onions
Ingredients
- 6 yellow or sweet onions
Instructions
- Preheat your smoked to 180f, according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Slice both stem and root ends off the onions and remove peels.
- Place the onions directly on the grill grates and smoke at 180f for 60 minutes or until the onions start to soften and have a smoky aroma.
- Remove onions from the smoker and prepare as desired.
Notes
Batch:
This smoked onion recipe is infinitely scaleable. You can smoke as many onions as you’ve got or that will fit in your smoker! One medium onion will yield approximately 1 cup of chopped or sliced onion.Storage:
Your smoked onions can be left whole or sliced/chopped and stored in the fridge in an airtight container or bag for up to 2 days. If you’d like to prepare a large batch and freeze them, the smoked onions can be chopped or diced, then spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2-3 hours, or until frozen. Then transfer the frozen onions into a bag or container for long-term storage.How to use smoked onions:
These onions are only slightly softened by the smoking process so they can be used just like a raw onions which allows them to be used in pretty much any recipe! Try:- smoked caramelized onions
- adding to nachos, tacos, wraps, burgers or sandwiches
- adding to recipes that require onions, like chili, soup, or salsas
Recommended Equipment + Ingredients
Nutrition
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These sound wonderful and I am going to make these today- question though. What “flavor” pellets did you find work best for this?
Hey Lynn, sorry for the delay – I usually use a competition blend pellets that’s good for all around flavors!
You want to try smoking sweet onions then drying them out. Makes a smoky molasses smell it’s amazing this recipe is good also.
Love that idea – I do love dehydrating onions!