I Tried the Viral ‘Onion Boil’ Recipe and It’s Worth the Hype

 

If you love onions (or butter), you need to try an onion boil. It’s downright delicious.

I love the aroma of onions caramelizing in butter. That said, I never thought I would want to eat an entire onion all by myself. However, this viral TikTok recipe has me reallocating funds to a dedicated onion budget. If you have seen videos of creators making an onion boil, you understand why.

Like our recipe for the onion boil recipe is hardly new. However, it has blown up on social media and is probably causing onion farmers (and breath mint manufacturers) to see profits like never before. While some TikTokers dig into their onion boil straight up, others use this buttery, seasoned, tender onion to create or finish a It’s an incredibly easy recipe that’s affordable, versatile and yields a huge flavor payoff.

What is an ‘onion boil’?
Onion boil is a term that covers a category of recipes that involve hollowing out a whole onion, stuffing it with butter and seasonings, and then cooking it in the oven, grill or air fryer until sweet, tender and dripping with buttery goodness. Most versions wrap the onion in foil before cooking to help the onion steam and lock in flavor. However, air-fryer onion boil recipes typically leave the onion unwrapped to allow the edges to get slightly crisp.

As for seasonings, Old Bay is a popular choice (and, likely, why the recipe is known as a “boil”). However, you can doctor up your onion with any seasonings you enjoy. Steak seasoning, homemade taco seasoning, lemon pepper or curry powder would all taste great and give you leeway to enjoy this humble onion dish with just about any cuisine.

Ingredients
1 large sweet onion, peeled
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1: Core the onion

A peeled and cored apple sits on a wooden surface next to a knife with a black handle.
Lauren Habermhl For Taste Of Home

Using a sharp paring knife, core the center of a sweet onion to create a hollow well. For best results, don’t go all the way through the other side. Make sure the bottom of the onion stays intact, so the butter doesn’t leak out instantly.

Editor’s Tip: An apple corer or vegetable peeler also works for coring an onion.

Step 2: Stuff with butter
Take 1 tablespoon of softened butter and stuff it into the cavity of the onion, filling the hole all the way to the top. Then, place the onion on a large piece of heavy-duty foil.

Step 3: Make the seasoned butter

 

A round cheese wheel with a spicy seasoning mix on top sits on aluminum foil. A small glass jar next to it contains more of the seasoning. A spoon with some of the mix rests on the foil. The table surface is wooden.
Lauren Habermhl For Taste Of Home

In a small glass measuring cup, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and then microwave in 20-second intervals until completely melted. Stir in the herbs and seasonings, then pour the melted butter into the well in the center of the onion, allowing it to overflow and pool around the bottom.

Step 4: Wrap in foil and bake

A baked onion wrapped in aluminum foil, partially unwrapped on a small plate. The onion is roasted with a crispy top and seasoned with herbs, set on a wooden table.
Lauren Habermhl For Taste Of Home

Bring up the sides and corners of theand tightly wrap the onion. Place the foil-wrapped onion in an 8×8-inch square baking dish, then transfer to a 365°F oven. Cook for 1 hour.

Step 5: Open and serve

A roasted whole onion served on a decorative white plate, with a rich reddish-orange sauce pooling around it. The onion is cut partially open, showing a seasoned interior. A white cloth is in the background on a wooden surface.
Lauren Habermhl For Taste Of Home

Remove the onion from the oven and open carefully. Serve as desired!

The better move over, because onion boil is taking its crown. This onion is perfectly tender (even in the center) and the flavorful butter it’s bathed in is simply divine. I enjoyed my onion boil with a and I don’t think I’ll serve a ribeye without an onion boil ever again.

Editor’s Tip: This onion will be brimming with hot melted butter, so serve it in a bowl or on a plate with a rim to prevent a mess.

Onion Boil Tips
How do you make an onion boil on the grill?
You can also make an onion boil on the grill. To make this version, prepare the onion as directed, then place the onions over indirect heat on a gas or charcoal grill heated to 350°. Cook for 1 hour. For more tips, check out this

What type of onion is best for an onion boil?
Sweet onions (e.g., Vidalia) and yellow onions are most commonly used for an onion boil. However, white or red onions may also be used for this versatile recipe. Learn more about different, how they taste and how to best use them in cooking.