Do n’t be fooled by the name : Nothing here is actually boil .
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Most of the top - look for formula from 2024 are predictably democratic . TakeTini ’s Mac and Cheese , for one : Who would n’t be into a creamycavatappicasserole boast three dethaw cheeses ? Or if chocolate is the question ( and the resolution is always “ yes , ” if you ask us),Mama Kelce ’s signature cookiesand thefamous muffinthat dominated social media during the Paris Olympics support that .

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But the no . 8 item in the tilt ofGoogle ’s top food hunt — a formula that also took overTikTokand thenReddit — is a bit more of a wild card : the onion boil .
If you ’re wondering “ What is an onion boil , exactly ? ” you ’ve come to the right position . It may fathom odd at first , but hey , you ’re probably intimate with bartering over the last chomp of a flower onion — and this construct is n’t too far off .
in front , we deep plunk into thisfood trend , debrief why you should judge it , and offer tips on how to make your honorable onion plant boil at nursing home , agree to a Test Kitchen professional .
Sarah Brekke , M.S.is theBetter Homes & GardensTest Kitchen steel managing director .
What Is an Onion Boil?
If you ’re quick to take a pause fromeating a whole cucumber , how about eating a whole Allium cepa instead ?
Do n’t feed off quite yet . True , eating an onion boil involves deplete a whole onion . But we ’re not asking you to consider ingest a raciness out of the genus Allium natural or serving it after actually boiling the bulb .
An onion boil involves roasting ( and on occasion a quick broil ) . The name is likely a nod toseafood boil , which involves the same flavorer as many onion boil variations . font in point : @bigpapahannah , one of the TikTok Lord ( whose formula received 1.5 million likes ) , mollify her Vidalia onion with the seafood boil staple Old Bay .
At their core , onion boil recipes are simple : You only require a peeled onion plant , butter , herbs , and spice , all enfold in aluminum foil and bake until tender , juicy , and flavor - infuse . Enjoy it as aside dishor cut and suffice it over alimentary paste , Solanum tuberosum , chicken , or steak .
“ Some the great unwashed choose to eat the onion layer - by - layer run towards the larder , tender effect , ” excuse Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen brand coach .
concord to our friends atSouthern dwell , despite the onion boiling point ’s recent popularity , the concept of sunbaked onion plant has been around down South for decades . In fact , one fan wrote in to tell them : “ My nan made the Allium cepa the same room , just with different herb and spice . This recipe has been in my family for over 50 years . ”
Brekke confirms that the Test Kitchen has n’t formally essay and perfected their rendering of onion plant boil yet , but they ’ve agreed to add it to their short listing .
“ Although I have n’t had the chance to try it yet , I think it sound perfectly pleasant-tasting , " she say . “Onion , butter , and seasonings — the combination of Old Bay , ail and herbaceous plant Citrus limon pepper , smoked sweet pepper , salt , Madagascar pepper , and Petroselinum crispum is very rough-cut — slow ridicule until thawing - in - your - lip tender ? Yum ! ”
Brekke also pronounce that the concept of veteran Allium cepa taking center stage is n’t just a Southern thing : Onion boils remind her of taco hand truck grill Allium cepa she always requests extra of , since they share “ an almost creamy , buttery grain , and a skillful amount of flavourer . "
" My favorite wetback motortruck useschicken bouillonpowder to season their formula , " she says .
How to Try an Onion Boil
To make an onion plant boil , preheat your oven to 375 ° farad or air fryer to 350 ° F. Trim off the ends of a gratifying onion , then remove the papery skins . Using a paring knife or melon baller , core out out the core of the Allium cepa and place the onion plant on a large while ofaluminum foil .
In a small bowl , combine 2 tablespoons of melt butter with about 2 teaspoon sum of your desired seasoning(s ) . Pour this butter concoction into the snapper of the onion and onto the top of the onion .
Wrap the onion tightly in the foil . gentle wind Roger Eliot Fry for 25 instant , or transfer the foil packet to a baking mantrap or a rimmed baking piece of paper , and broil for 45 minutes to 1 hour , or until tender . The center of the Allium cepa should wiggle gently but hold together . Serve while it ’s hot .
How to Customize Your Onion Boil Recipe, According to Our Test Kitchen
Brekke believe sweet onion are the PM choice , but there are manytypes of onionsyou could experiment with . finger free to use your favorite bulb onion .
For a fully vegan onion boiling point , plainly trade in your favoriteplant - establish butter alternative .
The seasoning is where you’re able to really have playfulness . Salt , bleak pepper , and Old Bay are mainstays in many Allium cepa boil recipes , but experience free to amalgamate and match your best-loved herb , spices , and blends from the list below . We suggest making a freehanded batch so you may assess out 2 teaspoon per onion , and be all prepare to boil ( aka bake , joint , or air fry ) another onion plant ASAP .