Fried Onions with Smoked Glazed Sausage

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Fried Onions with Smoked Glazed Sausage & Extra Caramelized Onions 🧅🌭

Easy One-Pan Comfort Food Recipe

If you love simple meals that taste like they cooked all day, this Fried Onions with Smoked Glazed Sausage recipe is about to become a regular on your table. Sweet, deeply caramelized onions wrapped around smoky, pan-seared sausage—this dish proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something unforgettable.

Perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or when you just want something hearty and satisfying, this recipe uses one pan, basic pantry staples, and delivers BIG flavor. Serve it on its own, over mashed potatoes, with crusty bread, or even tucked into a sandwich.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ One-pan and easy cleanup

✔ Budget-friendly ingredients

✔ Deep, sweet onion flavor

✔ Smoky, savory sausage perfection

✔ Perfect as a main dish or side

The magic here is the slow-fried onions. Yellow onions bring sweetness, red onions add depth, and together they melt down into a jammy, golden base that coats every slice of sausage.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter

Optional add-ins for extra flavor:

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar or honey (for extra glaze)
  • Splash of balsamic vinegar

Instructions

  1. Heat the pan
    Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and butter and let them melt together until shimmering and fragrant.
  2. Cook the sausage
    Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 4–5 minutes per side until beautifully browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside.
  3. Start the onions
    In the same pan (don’t wipe it out!), add all the sliced onions. Toss them gently to coat in the leftover fat and sausage flavor.
  4. Slow fry for maximum flavor
    Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook the onions for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften, turn golden, and begin to caramelize. Be patient—this is where the magic happens.
  5. Bring it all together
    Return the sausage to the pan with the onions. Stir everything together and cook for another 5–7 minutes until the sausage is heated through and coated in the onion glaze.
  6. Taste & adjust
    Season with black pepper and any optional add-ins you love. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serving Ideas

  • Over creamy mashed potatoes 🥔
  • With rice or buttered noodles
  • Stuffed into hoagie rolls or wraps
  • Alongside eggs for a killer breakfast
  • As a topping for roasted potatoes

Tips for the Best Fried Onions & Sausage

  • Low and slow is the secret to sweet onions—don’t rush them.
  • Use a cast-iron or heavy skillet for better caramelization.
  • If onions start sticking, add a tablespoon of water and scrape the pan.
  • Smoked sausage works best, but kielbasa or turkey sausage are great too.

Final Thoughts

This Fried Onions with Smoked Glazed Sausage recipe is proof that humble ingredients can create bold, comforting flavors. It’s cozy, filling, and incredibly satisfying—exactly the kind of dish everyone asks for seconds of.

Save it, share it, and don’t be surprised when it becomes a weekly favorite ❤️

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