Onion Boil Recipe by Donna John

According to Southern Living, Trends come and go, but there are certain moments when we see a viral hack or recipe circle back around in the public eye that stop us in our tracks: “Hmm, that looks familiar.” Imagine our surprise when Google released their most-searched recipes for 2024 and we saw one very familiar phrase pop up at #8: Onion boil.

If you’re not familiar with the term “onion boil,” it may be because your family grew up calling them “baked onions,” as those from Mississippi can attest. While this Southern side dish has a few names, the concept is the same: Slow roast an entire Vidalia onion with butter and spices in foil until it is soft and tender all the way through.

2 large (12 oz. each) Vidalia onions

2 tsp. jarred chicken stock base (such as Better Than Bouillon)

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere’s or Zatarain’s)

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

4 Tbsp. (2 oz.) unsalted butter

Directions

Remove center of onions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Trim 1/8- to 1/4-inch off top and bottom of onions, leaving root intact. Peel and discard onion skins. Using a melon baller or spoon, scoop out center of onion, leaving about a 1-inch border around edges and scooping about halfway down. Discard scooped out onion pieces or reserve for another use.

Southern Living Onion Boil preparing the onions

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Fill onions with stock base and Worcestershire:

Working with 1 onion at a time, place each onion on a large piece of aluminum foil; place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Place 1 teaspoon each of chicken stock base and Worcestershire sauce in bottom of each onion cavity; set aside.

Southern Living Onion Boil adding the seasonings to the center of the onion

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Add seasoning mixture:

Stir together Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, dried parsley, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl until combined. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture in each onion cavity. Place 2 tablespoons butter each in onion cavity.

Southern Living Onion Boil adding the butter to the onions

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Divide remaining seasoning mixture between onion cavities (about 1/2 teaspoon each).

Southern Living Onion Boil adding the rest of the seasonings to the onions

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Bake onions:

Wrap onions tightly with foil.

Southern Living Onion Boil wrapping the onions in foil

Hannah Hufham; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Bake in preheated oven until onions are tender, about 1 hour. Carefully unwrap foil; serve warm.