Craving that deep, sweet, and savory flavor of caramelized onions but don’t have an hour to spare? Meet your new secret weapon! This Instant Pot recipe delivers all the rich complexity of slow-cooked onions in a fraction of the time. It’s a fantastic, low-carb way to add a gourmet touch to everything from burgers and steaks to savory sauces. In just 15 minutes, you can have a versatile flavor bomb ready to elevate your meals.
Ingredients
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp / 15 ml olive oil
• 1-2 tbsp / 15-30 ml apple cider vinegar
• 2 tsp / 5 g almond flour
• 1 cup / 240 ml water or chicken stock
• Spices
• 1 tsp stevia powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Select the ‘Sauté’ function on your Instant Pot and allow it to heat up. Add the olive oil, followed by the sliced onions. Sprinkle with salt and stevia, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and turn translucent.
3. Stir in the almond flour, mixing well to coat the onions. Continue to cook for one more minute to toast the flour slightly, then mix in the cayenne pepper.
4. Pour in the water or chicken stock to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the apple cider vinegar.
5. Allow the mixture to come to a full boil, then press the ‘Cancel’ button to turn off the heat. Let the sauce cool before transferring it to an airtight container for storage.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving (Serves 2)
• Calories: 108
• Total Fats: 8.4g
• Net Carbs: 6g
• Protein: 1.4g
• Fiber: 2.1g
Pro Tips
• For a deeper, richer color and flavor, let the onions sauté for an extra 5-7 minutes until they begin to genuinely brown before adding the other .
• Slice your onions as uniformly as possible to ensure they cook evenly for a consistent texture throughout the sauce.
• Don’t skip the deglazing step! Scraping the bottom of the pot releases a ton of concentrated flavor back into the sauce.
• This sauce is a fantastic base for a quick French Onion Soup. Just add more beef broth, top with a keto-friendly crouton and Gruyère cheese, and broil.
FAQ
Q: How is this recipe different from traditional caramelized onions
A: This Instant Pot recipe is significantly faster, delivering a deep, rich flavor in about 15 minutes, whereas traditional stovetop methods can take an hour or more.
Q: Is this caramelized onion recipe keto-friendly
A: Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be low-carb and keto-friendly. It uses stevia for sweetness and almond flour as a thickener, resulting in only 6g of net carbs per serving.
Q: What can I use these quick caramelized onions for
A: These onions are incredibly versatile. Use them as a gourmet topping for burgers and steaks, mix them into savory sauces, or use them as a flavorful base for a quick French Onion Soup.
Q: Can I get a deeper color on my onions
A: Absolutely. For a richer color and more intense flavor, the pro tips suggest sautéing the onions for an extra 5-7 minutes until they are genuinely browned before you add the other ingredients.
