Do you feel like your burger is missing something?! It’s probably begging for grilled onions.
Besides avoiding heating your house during the hot summer months, grilling onions on the BBQ, whether it be red, yellow or white, also adds a smoky flavor and added texture to many dishes like burgers, salads or all on their own.
Let’s go over how to grill onions step-by-step including wedges, rings and in foil packages:
How Long to Grill Onions?
Onions are grilled perfectly when slightly charred and softened. The time it takes to achieve this will depend on the cut (wedges, slices, whole), the temperature of the grill, etc. Slices and wedges will have a similar cooking time (about 20 minutes) but it will take longer for a whole onion (about 40 minutes).
Are Grilled Onions Good For You?
Onions are packed with vitamins and minerals, but low in calories. Some of these nutrients include vitamin c, b vitamins and potassium. They are high in antioxidants that may help lower the risk of heart disease as well as cancer-fighting compounds. Raw onions contain more sulfur compounds than cooked, but cooked still provide health benefits. Not everyone can handle eating a raw onion, so cooking the onions can make them easier to digest.
Before You Begin
To get started, make sure you grab whatever types of onions you would like to grill: red, white or yellow. You will also need some basics like olive oil, salt, balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs, and BBQ sauce, depending on the method you choose. Check out all 3 ways below:
How to Grill Onion Wedges
Step 1: Gather Ingredients and Tools
- 2 medium yellow onions
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
- Fresh thyme or your favorite fresh herbs (optional)
- Tongs
Step 2: Peel & Trim the Onions
Remove the outer layer of each onion and trim off the tops. Leaving the bottom intact will help keep the wedges together.
If you want to cut the bottom of the onions off, use a grill mat to place the wedges on when cooking. This will keep them from falling through the grates.
Step 3: Cut into Wedges
Cut the onions in half, then cut each half into quarters. Cut the quarters in half to create 8 wedges per onion.
Step 4: Heat the Grill
Charcoal Grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone.
Gas Grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.
Arrange the onions on the indirect-heat side (no flame underneath), but still close to the fire.
Step 5: Grill the Onions
Brush them with olive oil, cover the grill and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for about 10 more minutes, or until softened and slightly charred.
Step 6: Remove From Grill
Place them on a plate and drizzle with some olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh herbs, to taste.
How to Grill Red Onion Rings
If you’re looking for grilled onions to top your burgers or brats with, these red onion rings are the way to go. You can use yellow or white onions with this technique as well. The balsamic dressing is optional.
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients & Tools
- 2 medium red onions
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt, to taste
- Fresh rosemary leaves, optional
- Small bowl
- Baking sheet
- Tongs
- Pastry brush
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Step 2: Slice the Onions
Peel the outer layer of the onions off. Trim off the tops and bottoms. Slice onions into ½ inch rings.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and rosemary leaves in a small bowl.
Step 4: Transfer Onion Rings to Baking Sheet
Arrange the onions on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with some of the oil/vinegar mixture, reserving the rest to serve with later.
Note: If you aren’t using the balsamic dressing, brush the tops of the onions with some olive oil.
Step 5: Grill the Onion Rings
Place the baking sheet on the preheated grill (medium heat). With the grill open, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes per side. You want them to caramelize a bit and soften.
Step 6: Remove From Grill & Serve
Remove the onion rings from the grill to a serving bowl. Toss with some of the reserved oil/vinegar mixture and serve!
How to Grill Whole Onions in Foil
Step 1: Gather Ingredients & Tools
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce
- Freshly chopped parsley, optional
- Foil
Charcoal Grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone.
Gas Grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.
Step 2: Add Onion to Foil
Peel the outer layer of the onion off. Cut the top and bottom off. Place it on a piece of foil, large enough to wrap completely around it. Add the BBQ sauce and parsley.
Step 3: Wrap the Onion in the Foil
Wrap the onion up in the foil, creating a foil package.
Step 4: Place the Foil Package on the Grill
Place it on the grill over the indirect heat, close the lid and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until softened all the way through.
Step 5: Serve!
Carefully open up the foil package; it will be hot. Slice and serve, topped with fresh parsley, or as desired.
And there you have it: grilled onions 3 ways. Which way did you like best? Let us know in the comments and please share this recipe!
Grilled Onions 3 Ways
Ingredients
For Onion Wedges:
- 2 medium yellow onions
- Olive oil
- Sea salt
- Fresh thyme or your favorite fresh herbs - optional
For Onion Rings:
- 2 medium red onions
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Sea salt - to taste
- Fresh rosemary leaves - optional
For Whole Onion in Foil:
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce
- Freshly chopped parsley - optional
Instructions
For Onion Wedges:
- Remove the outer layer of each onion and trim off the tops. Leaving the bottom intact will help keep the wedges together.12 medium yellow onions
- Cut the onions in half, then cut each half into quarters. Cut the quarters in half to create 8 wedges per onion.
- If using charcoal, put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone at medium-high heat. If using gas, turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat. Arrange the onions on the indirect-heat side (no flame underneath), but still close to the fire.
- Brush them with olive oil, cover the grill and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for about 10 more minutes, or until softened and slightly charred.
- Place them on a plate and drizzle with some more olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh herbs, to taste.
For Onion Rings:
- Preheat the grill to medium heat. Peel the outer layer of the onions off. Trim off the tops and bottoms. Slice onions into ½ inch rings.2 medium red onions
- Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and rosemary leaves (if using) in a small bowl.3 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- Arrange the onions on the baking sheet. Brush the tops with some of the oil/vinegar mixture, reserving the rest to serve with later.2
- Place the baking sheet on the preheated grill (medium heat). With the grill open, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes per side. You want them to caramelize a bit and soften.
- Remove the onion rings from the grill to a serving bowl. Toss with some of the reserved oil/vinegar mixture.
- Serve!
For Whole Onion in Foil:
- Charcoal Grill: preheat to medium-high heat. Put the coals on one side of the grill to create an indirect heat zone.Gas Grill: turn half of the burners on to medium-high heat to create an indirect heat zone.
- Peel the outer layer of the onion off. Cut the top and bottom off. Place it on a piece of foil, large enough to wrap completely around it. Add the BBQ sauce and parsley.1 medium yellow onion, 2 tbsp. BBQ sauce
- Wrap the onion up in the foil, creating a foil package.
- Place it on the grill over the indirect heat, close the lid and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until softened all the way through.
- Carefully open up the foil package; it will be hot. Slice and serve, topped with fresh parsley, or as desired.
Equipment
Notes
- If you want to cut the bottom of the onions off for the wedges, use a grill mat to place them on when cooking. This will keep them from falling through the grates.
- The balsamic dressing is optional for the onion rings. If not using the dressing, brush the onions with some olive oil instead.
- The nutrition information is for 1 serving of a yellow onion.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Looking for more grilling tutorials? Check out How to Grill Peppers