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Sweet Vidalia Onion Roast

Featured in: Easy Weeknight Eats

This dish features sweet Vidalia onions roasted whole until tender and soft, infused with fresh thyme, garlic, and butter. The onions are wrapped in foil and baked slowly, allowing flavors to meld and produce a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect as a simple yet elegant side, this preparation highlights the natural sweetness and delicate aroma of the onions with minimal effort.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:26:00 GMT
Golden-brown onion boil with melted butter, herbs, and tender Vidalia onions baking on a sheet. Save
Golden-brown onion boil with melted butter, herbs, and tender Vidalia onions baking on a sheet. | tazzsip.com

A sweet, tender Vidalia onion roasted whole until meltingly soft, with aromatic herbs and butter—a simple yet elegant side dish.

I first tried making roasted onions as a simple side and was amazed by how their sweetness intensified, melting into rich perfection with butter and thyme.

Ingredients

  • Vidalia onions: 4 large, unpeeled
  • Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp
  • Fresh thyme: 4 sprigs
  • Garlic: 4 cloves, peeled
  • Kosher salt: 1 tsp
  • Freshly ground black pepper: ½ tsp
  • Chopped fresh parsley: 2 tbsp, optional garnish

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Set oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Onions:
Trim root ends and tops of onions so they sit flat. Leave the skins on.
Cut Tops:
Use a paring knife to cut a shallow X into the tops of onions.
Season and Fill:
Place each onion on foil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and press butter, thyme, and garlic into the cuts.
Wrap and Bake:
Wrap onions tightly in foil, set on baking sheet, and roast for 1 hour 10 minutes until very tender.
Unwrap and Serve:
Carefully unwrap, remove skins, transfer to plates, spoon over melted butter, and sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Savory onion boil: the soft, sweet, roasted onions are topped with herbs and a pat of butter, ready to eat. Save
Savory onion boil: the soft, sweet, roasted onions are topped with herbs and a pat of butter, ready to eat. | tazzsip.com

This dish became a family favorite to serve alongside grilled meats, making weekend meals special and easy.

Required Tools

Baking sheet, heavy-duty foil, paring knife, oven

Allergen Information

Contains dairy. Substitute vegan butter or olive oil to keep it dairy-free

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 130 Calories, 7 g Fat, 19 g Carbohydrates, 2 g Protein

Steaming plate with onion boil features juicy roasted Vidalia onions, creating a satisfying, flavorful side dish. Save
Steaming plate with onion boil features juicy roasted Vidalia onions, creating a satisfying, flavorful side dish. | tazzsip.com

Enjoy these roasted onions hot from the oven as a comforting addition to your table. They're sure to impress in any season.

Recipe Guide

→ How do I select the best onions for roasting?

Choose large, firm Vidalia or other sweet onions with intact skins and no soft spots for optimal sweetness and texture.

→ Can I use a different herb instead of thyme?

Yes, fresh rosemary or sage can be used as alternatives to bring a unique aromatic touch to the onions.

→ What is the purpose of roasting onions whole in foil?

Wrapping in foil traps steam and butter, ensuring the onions cook evenly and become meltingly soft without drying out.

→ How can I add more depth of flavor to the dish?

Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar or a pinch of smoked paprika before roasting enhances richness and smoky undertones.

→ Are there suitable substitutions for butter in this preparation?

Plant-based vegan butter or olive oil works well for dairy-free versions while maintaining richness.

Sweet Vidalia Onion Roast

Whole Vidalia onions roasted with butter and herbs until meltingly tender and flavorful.

Setup duration
10 min
Heat duration
70 min
Complete duration
80 min
Created by Daniel Brooks

Classification Easy Weeknight Eats

Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 4 Portions

Nutrition specifications Meat-free, No gluten

Components

Main

01 4 large Vidalia onions, unpeeled

Seasoning & Aromatics

01 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 4 sprigs fresh thyme
03 4 cloves garlic, peeled
04 1 teaspoon kosher salt
05 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Optional Garnish

01 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Method

Phase 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400°F and prepare for roasting.

Phase 02

Prepare onions: Trim the root ends and tops of each onion carefully so they can rest flat, keeping the skins intact.

Phase 03

Score onions: Using a paring knife, cut a shallow X into the top of each onion to allow seasoning penetration.

Phase 04

Season onions: Place each onion on a square of heavy-duty foil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper evenly.

Phase 05

Add aromatics: Press one tablespoon of butter, one sprig of thyme, and one garlic clove into the top cut of each onion.

Phase 06

Wrap and roast: Wrap each onion tightly in the foil and arrange on a baking sheet for roasting.

Phase 07

Roast: Cook in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes, until onions are soft and tender when tested with a knife.

Phase 08

Serve: Carefully unwrap and remove skins, transfer onions to plates, spoon any melted butter from foil over them, and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Necessary tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Paring knife
  • Oven

Allergy details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance when uncertain.
  • Contains dairy due to butter; for dairy-free versions, replace butter with vegan butter or olive oil.

Dietary information (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 130
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Proteins: 2 g