Onions never get the spotlight. I have a theory that it’s because they make us cry, but onions are almost never the center of our meals. But today, onions are finally getting their chance to shine with the TikTok trend, onion boils. Popularized by Mimi Baretelaa, the onion boil has become mine and everyone’s latest obsession.
What is an onion boil?
A hollowed-out onion stuffed with butter and layered with seasonings are the only requirements for an onion boil. The name, onion boil, was chosen because it has similar seasonings to a seafood boil. But the gag is, that the onion boil is technically not a boil. You’re baking the onion, not boiling it. According to Mimi Baretelaa, the onion boil has health benefits as well. She says that since she started eating it as a snack, her skin has never been clearer. Onions are full of antioxidants, phytochemicals that help your immune system, and antibacterials, so there may be some truth to this sentiment. If you’re just as intrigued about the onion boil as I am, check out these TikTok recipes.
The Traditional Onion Boil
This first one comes from the woman, the myth, the legend herself, the creator of the onion boil, Mimi Baretelaa. For this recipe, you’ll need a yellow onion, avocado oil, garlic salt, garlic powder, paprika, turmeric, and spreadable butter. Like the majority of onion boil recipes, it is very easy to put together. The interesting thing about this particular recipe is that unlike most onion boils, Baretelaa does not carve a hole into her onion. Instead, she puts all of her ingredients on top of the onion including a large dollop of unmelted butter. Shea uses garlic salt, garlic powder, paprika, turmeric, pepper, and seasoning salt as her spices. She also uses an air fryer instead of an oven to cook her onion.
The Viral Onion Boil
One of the most liked onion boil recipes on TikTok, this onion boil from @bigpapahannah, is sure to be a fan favorite. Hannah uses Vidalia sweet onions and Tony’s seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, Simply spicy spice garlic herb lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika, parsley flakes, and pepper as her spices. Prepared similarly to most onion boils, the only difference in Hannah’s recipe is that all the butter she uses is melted. Both the butter in the core of the onion and mixed with her spices are melted.
The Garlic & Onion Boil
TikTok user @maggieeatsss wins the award for best creativity by trying both the onion boil and a garlic boil. Known for her seafood boils, Maggue has a great onion boil recipe. She puts cut up pieces of unmelted butter into the core of her onion and garlic. Then, she melts her butter and spices on the stove before pouring over her vegetables. Maggie uses Bloves Smackalicious Sauce Seasoning Mix Spicy. This mix has an assortment of different spices.
Sweet Onion Boil
If you have a sweet tooth like me, this one’s for you! Try @bellyfull.net’s recipe. To make it sweet, this user adds the ingredients: brown sugar and cinnamon. She also adds salt, but unlike the rest of onion boil recipes, those are the only flavor ingredients she uses. She also adds about five slits at the top of the onion as well as carving out a hole for her butter. With the addition of cinnamon, this sweet onion boil is perfect for fall.
Spicy Onion Boil
Onion boil but make it spicy. Jen Curly has made many onion boils on TikTok including this recipe for the spice lovers. To make it spicy, Curly uses cayenne pepper as well as the usual onion boil spices: onion powder, garlic powder, Tony’s old bay seasoning, paprika, and salt. She adds cayenne to the melted butter sauce that she pours over her onion, and she also sprinkles the spice over the entire concoction before baking. Feel free to add your favorite spicy spice to spice up your onion.