Buttery Southern Onion Boil Recipe

Transform humble yellow onions into a smoky, buttery Southern treasure with this simple foil-packet recipe. Perfectly tender and jammy, it is the ultimate steakhouse-style side dish.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Equipment

Aluminum Foil
Baking sheet or casserole dish
Melon baller or spoon

Ingredients

▢ 4 yellow onions (2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter)
▢ 6 tablespoons salted butter or vegan butter
▢ 4 cloves minced garlic
▢ 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
▢ 2 teaspoons garlic powder
▢ 2 teaspoons onion powder
▢ 2 teaspoons dried thyme
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Prep the oven and the onions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and allow it to stabilize for several minutes.
Trim the ends off the onions and peel away the papery skin until the surface is clean.
Using a spoon or melon baller, hollow out a ping pong ball-sized cavity in the top of each onion. Stop halfway down to ensure the bottom remains intact to prevent leaks.

Build the seasoned butter

Melt the butter gently over medium-low heat or in the microwave until it is fully liquid but not sizzling.
Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Fill, wrap, and roast

Place each hollowed onion upright on a large piece of aluminum foil. Spoon the seasoned butter into the center cavity and allow the excess to run down the sides.
Seal the foil snugly around each onion to create a steam pocket. Stand the packets upright in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
Roast for 60 minutes. The onions are ready when the packets feel soft to a gentle squeeze and a toothpick slides easily into the center.
Carefully open the foil packets, slide the onions onto plates, and pour the liquid gold onion butter from the foil over the top before serving.

Notes

Safety Tip: Be very careful when opening the foil packets, as the steam released is extremely hot.

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain the best texture.

Air Fryer Method: To cook in an air fryer, keep the onions wrapped in foil and cook at 360°F for 35 to 45 minutes until tender.

Pro Tip: Use a melon baller to create a neat cavity without punching through the bottom of the onion.

Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

Keyword Foil Packet, Onion Boil, Roasted Onion, Vidalia Onion

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