Sweet and Savory Stir-Fried Onions: An Easy Recipe
The Ultimate Side Dish: 5-Minute Stir-Fried Onions
Introducing a delicious stir-fried onion recipe that’s a perfect side dish for when you have a low appetite. The harmony of the onion’s sweetness and the savory soy sauce is exquisite, and it’s much simpler than it looks, making it easy for anyone to make. I’ll guide you through every step, from preparing the ingredients to the final result, so even stir-fry beginners can succeed!
Main Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the onion. Peel and thoroughly wash the onion, then slice it into relatively thick strips. If you slice them too thinly, they will become mushy when stir-fried, so cutting them to about 0.5 cm thickness is ideal.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil and 1 Tbsp of perilla oil for a nutty aroma. Using both oils together can create a deeper flavor.
Step 3
Add all the sliced onions to the preheated pan.
Step 4
Spread the onions evenly in the pan and begin to stir-fry over medium heat. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent the onions from burning.
Step 5
When the onions start to turn translucent and tender, it’s time to add the seasoning. Continue stir-frying for about 3-4 minutes until the onions soften and become transparent.
Step 6
Once the onions are cooked to your liking, drizzle 2 Tbsp of all-purpose soy sauce around the edges of the pan. If you don’t have all-purpose soy sauce, regular soy sauce (jin-ganjang) works well. The soy sauce will caramelize slightly from the pan’s heat, enhancing the flavor.
Step 7
After adding the soy sauce, turn up the heat to high and quickly stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until the onions are coated with the sauce. This quick stir-fry is key to infusing the flavor without overcooking.
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of toasted sesame seeds for added nuttiness and give it one last toss to combine. Your delicious stir-fried onions are now complete.
Step 9
And there you have it – sweet and savory, super easy stir-fried onions! They are delicious served over warm rice as a donburi-style dish, or as a side with other banchan. They taste great even when stored in the refrigerator!
