Create some appetizing additions to your next cookout with deliciously grilled onion medallions!
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You just can’t beat the flavor from a grill, can you? It’s not just the friends and family you have over, though they undoubtedly make barbeques and cookouts all the sweeter. There’s something about the food that gets served hot off the grill that has no match – which is probably why so many restaurants seek to recreate the experience in-house! Maybe it’s in the aromas of charcoal (or even different kinds of wood like apple and maple which, yes smell like apples and syrup!), the kiss of heat from hot grating (like perfectly seasoned cast iron, yum!), or the grill marks made by every chef’s favorite scientific principle – the Maillard effect!
The Maillard effect is an interesting molecular consequence of applying heat to organic cells, breaking down sugars and amino compounds and turning them into complex molecule strings that have distinct and unique flavors compared to their original forms! That’s what makes unexpected barbeque classics like grilled watermelon so tasty! The Maillard effect’s signature browning on food “caramelizes” the surfaces where high heat is applied, turning those original flavors into more intricate sensory experiences, bringing new and exciting aromas and flavors to your cookout!
When you’re grilling, whether it be some Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs for game day or a hearty Rack of Ribs, don’t forget to throw your vegetables on the fire, too!
Take our recipe for grilled onions, for instance! Even on a countertop grill press, the Maillard effect takes the bright, signature flavor of onions and melts some of the sharpness away in place for something akin to the slight sweetness of sautéed onions while retaining that classic flavor. Plus, that medallion makes a distinct shape perfect for serving up on a Jalapeño Popper Burger or right next to Vegan Cauliflower Steaks!
Are Grilled Onions Healthy?
Nutrient-dense onions feature two of your favorite dietary traits, being low in calories and high in fiber! That means you’ll feel fuller while helping to maintain your calorie goals! That’s not to mention the vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants found in onions! Grilling them with a little bit of olive oil makes them perfect for any keto, paleo, or vegan diet as well. Talk about delicious and nutritious!
INGREDIENTS
- 4 large yellow onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Get the grill ready at medium-high heat.
Season
Prepare and season onion rounds with oil, salt, and pepper.
Grill
Cook onions on the grill until tender and nicely marked.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Grilled onions are best served right away, but if you want to store them for later use, keep them in a sealed container at a refrigerated temperature for up to 3 days. Then, when you want to, toss your medallions onto a hot pan and sear both sides before serving!
Here are two tricks to make sure your onion layers stay grouped together to form the perfect medallion. Firstly, use a sharp knife – a dull knife will damage more of the onion’s cells (causing you to weep more and also threatening the integrity of your medallions). Secondly, cutting your onion from the top to the root will help keep your layers connected and maintain their shape!
Grilled onions will sweat naturally. On a regular grill, those drippings would fall into the heat source and cause further flavorful infusion as they evaporated and soaked back into your food. However, on a countertop grill (like the one we, and likely you, use), those drippings can be collected and used as the base for a flavorful onion gravy or as an additional stock for French onion soup!
Serving Suggestions
These complex, layered medallions taste phenomenal when paired with other delicious friends of the Maillard reaction like Grilled Avocados, Grilled Brussels Sprouts, and entrées like Cajun Grilled Cod and Countertop Grilled Chicken! The possibilities are endless because the Maillard effect touches everything from breakfast to dessert!
Ingredients
- 4 large yellow onions
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F to 450°F.
- Peel the onions and cut them into 1/2-inch thick rounds, being careful to keep the rings intact.
- Brush both sides of the onion rounds with olive oil and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Place the onion rounds on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes per side, or until they have nice grill marks and are tender.
- Transfer the grilled onions to a serving plate and enjoy as a delicious addition to your meal.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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