How to Make a Charred Onion Blossom
The Starving Chef is supported by Hungry People like you. When you make a purchase through an affiliate link on my site, I may earn a little bit of cash on the side (at no extra cost to you) to help keep my kitchen running. Read our disclosures here.
What’s Up, Hungry People!
Ever had one of those moments where the lure of those “As Seen On TV” gadgets just grabs you? Yep, been there. When I snagged my new grill, right there by its side, I spotted a variety of intriguing grill add-ons.
And guess what? I gave in to temptation and snagged an onion blossom kit, driven by sheer curiosity (and hey, the $5 price tag didn’t hurt).
So, was it worth the impulse buy? Let’s find out.
Here’s What You Need:
- Red onion: Adds natural sweetness; caramelizes and tenderizes when grilled.
- Olive oil: Provides moisture; aids in grilling and adds richness.
- Salt: Enhances flavor; brings out the natural sweetness of the onion.
- Pepper: Adds a slight kick; balances the sweetness of the onion.
- Parsley (optional): Infuses freshness; complements the grilled onion taste.
Inside the Kit
The kit served up a plastic cutting guide and a so-called ‘corer.’ Plus, a metal stand to plop the onion right onto the grill. The guide, I gotta admit, was pretty spot-on for a medium onion, ensuring even cuts. But that corer? Oh boy, that thing’s more of a smasher than a corer.
Yet, despite the corer hiccup, the result? A beautifully blooming, lotus-esque onion!
Season and Sizzle
I gave my onion a good brush with some olive oil mixed with a hint of salt, pepper, and parsley.
The kit’s manual pitched a twenty-minute direct heat grilling session. Here’s What You Need to know: I’m no stranger to grilling onions, usually wrapping them in foil with a touch of butter. But twenty minutes on an uber-hot grill seemed a tad…excessive.
And well, I wasn’t wrong. The outer layers of my onion turned super crispy.
But hang on! All was not lost.
Those overly crispy bits easily fell off, revealing a pleasantly charred exterior. And the core? It was soft, juicy, and downright delicious.
Alternative Methods for Cutting Onion Blossoms
- Quarter Method:
- Cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root end intact.
- Make a cross cut from the top, stopping just before the root.
- Make another cross, bisecting the first, creating 8 segments.
- Gently separate the layers to form the blossom shape.
- Petals Method:
- Cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root end intact.
- Start from the top and make a series of downward cuts all around the onion, ensuring not to cut through the root end.
- Gently separate the individual cuts to form petal-like segments.
- Alternating Cuts Method:
- Cut off the top of the onion, leaving the root end intact.
- Make a vertical cut from the top, stopping just before the root.
- Rotate the onion slightly and make a diagonal cut.
- Continue this pattern (vertical, diagonal) around the entire onion.
- Gently separate to form a unique blossom shape.
Remember, regardless of the method, always be cautious when handling sharp knives. The root end holds the onion together, so always keep it intact. After cutting, you can immerse the onion in cold water for a few minutes to help the petals separate more easily.
Charred Onion Blossom Tips:
- Grilling time: Monitor closely to avoid over-charring.
- Oil application: Ensure thorough coating for even grilling.
- Using a guide: Aids in even onion slicing; avoid cutting through.
- Without a kit: Foil can act as a protective layer; always leave the top open.
- Serving: Best paired with grilled meats for a complete meal experience.
What a ride it was trying out the charred onion blossom! Trust me, whether you’re using a kit or going the DIY route, this is a must-try for any grill enthusiast out there. It’s not just about the unique look; the flavors and textures truly shine, making it a worthy side or garnish. While there might be a learning curve, especially if you’re crafting the blossom by hand, the end result is so worth it. Paired with your favorite grilled protein, this onion treat is sure to impress at your next cookout. Hungry People, if you haven’t yet, give the charred onion blossom a shot – you won’t be disappointed!
Char-Grilled Onion Flower Blossom
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 500°F. Using an onion cutting guide, make even slices into the onion, ensuring not to slice through the end. (This can also be done carefully by hand without a guide.)
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley. Brush the mixture onto the sliced onion. Gently separate the onion layers to ensure the oil mixture covers the onion thoroughly.
- If using a special kit, place the onion on the metal onion cooker with the sliced side facing down, and cook over high heat for twenty minutes. If NOT using a special kit, place the onion on an 8×8 sheet of foil with the 'petals' facing up; gently wrap the sides of the onion with the foil, leaving the top open. Cook over high heat for twenty minutes.
- Remove the onion from the heat and gently cut in half to resemble a lotus flower. Serve as a garnish with grilled steaks, chicken, or seafood. Enjoy!
