Welcome to the most flavorful and comforting side dish you’ll ever make. These Tennessee Onions are a true Southern classic, combining sweet onions with a rich, savory butter sauce, all baked to tender perfection. If you’re searching for a simple yet elegant recipe that pairs with almost any main course, you’ve found it. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare but delivers a taste that feels gourmet.
Perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or a simple weeknight meal, this recipe transforms the humble onion into the star of the show. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to enjoy onions!
What Are Tennessee Onions?
Tennessee Onions are a traditional Southern side dish known for their incredible simplicity and rich flavor. The recipe involves slow-baking thick slices of sweet onion in a savory mixture, typically made from butter and beef broth or bouillon. As they bake, the onions become incredibly tender, sweet, and succulent, absorbing all the savory goodness of the sauce. The result is a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is both comforting and deeply satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Tennessee Onions Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of sweet onions, rich butter, and savory beef broth creates a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
- Versatile Side Dish: This dish is the perfect companion to a wide range of main courses, from a juicy grilled steak bowl to roasted chicken or pork.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s a guaranteed hit at potlucks and family gatherings, offering a unique and delicious alternative to standard side dishes.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create this mouthwatering dish.
- Sweet Onions: The star of the show! Look for large Vidalia, Walla Walla, or other sweet onion varieties for the best flavor. Their lower sulfur content means they become exceptionally sweet when cooked.
- Unsalted Butter: This creates the rich, savory sauce that the onions bake in. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the sodium level.
- Beef Bouillon Cubes: Crumbled over the onions, these dissolve into the butter to create a deeply savory, umami-rich gravy.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
How to Make Tennessee Onions
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect baked onions every time.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel the onions and slice them into thick, 1/2 to 3/4-inch rounds. Arrange the onion slices in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Add the Flavor: Next, cut the cold butter into small pieces and distribute them evenly over the onion slices. Crumble the beef bouillon cubes and sprinkle them over the top. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Then, carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown, fork-tender, and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the onions rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the delicious buttery sauce from the pan over the onions when you serve them.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Baked Onions
- Choose the Right Onions: Sweet onions are essential for this recipe as they lack the harsh bite of yellow or red onions and caramelize beautifully.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Arrange the onion slices in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly and get a nice caramelization.
- Cover is Key: Baking the onions covered for the first 30 minutes steams them, making them incredibly tender. Uncovering them at the end allows them to brown beautifully.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, you can easily customize it. For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some Gruyère or Parmesan cheese over the top during the last 10 minutes of baking. For a bit of texture, consider adding some crispy bacon bits or toasted breadcrumbs. You could also pair this with some delightful Southern cornbread poppers (coming soon) for a full Southern-style experience.
What to Serve with Tennessee Onions
These savory baked onions are the ultimate side dish for a variety of main courses. They are particularly fantastic with grilled meats. Try them alongside a juicy steak, pork chops, or even a simple roasted chicken. For a comforting meal, they pair wonderfully with a hearty main like this smothered chicken and rice (coming soon).
Storing and Reheating Instructions
You can store leftover Tennessee Onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply place them in an oven-safe dish and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. You can also microwave them for a quicker option.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tennessee Onions
Yes, you can bake them a day in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through before serving.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They reheat well in the oven or microwave.
Tennessee Onions are a classic Southern side dish where thick slices of sweet onion are baked in a rich sauce made from butter and beef bouillon until they are exceptionally tender, sweet, and savory.
They are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with grilled steak, roasted chicken, pork chops, and meatloaf. They complement almost any savory main course.
Sweet onion varieties are essential for the best flavor. Look for Vidalia, Walla Walla, or other onions specifically labeled as ‘sweet,’ as they have less pungency and become sweeter when cooked.
Share Your Creations!
We are confident that this Tennessee Onions recipe will become a new favorite in your home. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share a photo on Pinterest and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Tennessee Onions Recipe
Tennessee Onions: The Ultimate Buttery Baked Side Dish
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the thick onion slices in a single layer in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Dot the onion slices evenly with the cubes of butter. Sprinkle the crumbled beef bouillon cubes over the top, followed by the salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the onions are tender, golden brown, and the sauce is bubbly.
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon the pan sauce over the onions when serving.
Notes
Ensure the onions are in a single layer to promote even cooking and browning.
Feel free to add a sprinkle of Parmesan or Gruyère cheese in the last 10 minutes of baking for a cheesy twist.
