This viral Onion Boil is the cozy, buttery side dish TikTok can’t stop talking about—because it’s ridiculously easy and insanely flavorful. You roast a sweet onion in foil with seasoned butter that melts down into every layer, turning it soft, caramelized, and spoon-tender. The Cajun + Old Bay combo gives it that bold, savory “can’t stop eating” vibe, and the garlic-chili finish makes it taste like a snack and a side dish at the same time. Perfect for busy weeknights, comfort dinners, or when you want something fun and different without extra work.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 2 onions
Ingredients List
- 2 large sweet onions
- ¼ cup butter, divided
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp crushed garlic
- 1 tsp chili onion crunch (or red chili flakes)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Melon baller or small spoon
- Aluminum foil
- Baking dish or cast iron skillet (to catch drips)
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Oven mitts
- Fork (for tenderness test)
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set to 375°F (190°C).
- Make an onion “well”: Peel any loose outer skin. Use a melon baller (or spoon) to scoop a hole in the top center of each onion, about halfway down.
- Add butter to the center: Place each onion on its own sheet of foil. Drop 1 tbsp butter into each onion well. 🧈
- Mix seasoned butter: Melt remaining butter, then stir in paprika, Old Bay, Cajun, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic, and chili onion crunch.
- Pour + wrap: Spoon/pour the butter mixture over onions so it runs down the sides. Wrap foil tightly.
- Roast: Place wrapped onions in a baking dish and bake 50–55 minutes until fork-tender.
- Optional broil (extra caramelized): Open foil carefully, drizzle a little extra butter/olive oil, then broil 2–3 minutes until golden. Watch closely! 🔥
- Serve: Peel away an outer layer, sprinkle a pinch of salt, and pour the foil juices over the onion for max flavor. 😋
Pro Tips
- Choose the right onion: Sweet onions (Vidalia-style) give the best caramelized flavor.
- Too salty? Old Bay + Cajun can be salty—reduce added salt to ¼ tsp if you’re sensitive.
- Make it a meal: Serve with rice, grilled chicken, steak, fish, or toss the onion into pasta.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat wrapped in foil at 350°F until warm.
Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 onion | 344 | 4g | 32g | 24g | 5g | 19g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Viral Baked Onion Boil
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Scoop out the top center of each onion about halfway down to create a well.
- Place each onion on foil and add 1 tbsp butter into each onion well.
- Melt remaining butter and stir in paprika, Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic, and chili onion crunch.
- Pour the seasoned butter over onions. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a baking dish to catch drips.
- Roast 50–55 minutes until fork-tender. If needed, bake 10 minutes more.
- Optional: Open foil and broil 2–3 minutes for a golden, caramelized top (watch closely).
- Peel away outer layer and serve warm. Pour the buttery foil juices over the onion for maximum flavor.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
If you want a fun, viral side that tastes like comfort food with almost zero effort, this Onion Boil is it—soft layers, bold Cajun garlic butter, and that buttery drizzle you’ll want on everything.