Copycat Kinder's Caramelized Onion Butter
A homemade version of Kinder's Caramelized Onion Butter — that sweet, buttery, slow-cooked onion flavor built from pantry spices. No skillet, no 45 minutes, just a jar that tastes like someone did the work already.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter powder
- 2 tablespoons powdered heavy cream optional but HIGHLY encouraged
- 3 tablespoons onion powder
- 1/4 cup minced dried onion
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder background note only
Optional Umami Boost (pick ONE)
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon mushroom powder
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Toast your onion powder lightly in a pan on the stove. (You don't have to toast it but I think it gives a major flavor boost.) Add everything to a bowl.
- Whisk like you mean it—no streaks, no clumps. I like to run mine through a food processor.
- Funnel into a half-pint mason jar, tap it down gently. Seal it tight.
Notes
Optional but recommended — toast the onion powder in a dry pan over medium heat for 60 seconds before mixing. It noticeably deepens the caramelized quality. Brown sugar can clump in humidity; shake or break up before using. Dark brown sugar gives more molasses depth than light brown sugar.
Meats
Steak & burgers:
Sprinkle ½–1 teaspoon per side before or after cooking Chicken & pork:
Use 1–2 teaspoons per pound Ground meat:
1 tablespoon per pound mixed in 👉 Best added after cooking or during the last minute so the butter notes don’t burn. 🥔 Veggies Roasted potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts:
Toss hot veggies with 1–2 teaspoons per pound + butter or oil Corn on the cob:
Melt butter, stir in ½ teaspoon seasoning per tablespoon butter, brush on 🍳 Eggs, Rice & Comfort Food Scrambled eggs: pinch per egg Rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles:
1 teaspoon per cup, then taste Mac & cheese boost:
Add ½–1 teaspoon to boxed or homemade 🍿 Popcorn Melt 2 tablespoons butter Stir in ½–1 teaspoon seasoning Drizzle and toss 🧈 Compound Butter Mix: ½ cup softened butter 1–2 tablespoons seasoning Roll in parchment, chill, slice.
Perfect for steaks, bread, veggies, and pretending you’re at a steakhouse. 🥣 Soups, Sauces & Gravy Stir ½–1 teaspoon into: Gravy Cream soups Pan sauces Rice pilaf Skillet meals It replaces onion + butter + salt in one swoop. Add at the end for best flavor Store cool & dry (6 months easy) Shake before using—those butter powders like to settle
Sprinkle ½–1 teaspoon per side before or after cooking Chicken & pork:
Use 1–2 teaspoons per pound Ground meat:
1 tablespoon per pound mixed in 👉 Best added after cooking or during the last minute so the butter notes don’t burn. 🥔 Veggies Roasted potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts:
Toss hot veggies with 1–2 teaspoons per pound + butter or oil Corn on the cob:
Melt butter, stir in ½ teaspoon seasoning per tablespoon butter, brush on 🍳 Eggs, Rice & Comfort Food Scrambled eggs: pinch per egg Rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles:
1 teaspoon per cup, then taste Mac & cheese boost:
Add ½–1 teaspoon to boxed or homemade 🍿 Popcorn Melt 2 tablespoons butter Stir in ½–1 teaspoon seasoning Drizzle and toss 🧈 Compound Butter Mix: ½ cup softened butter 1–2 tablespoons seasoning Roll in parchment, chill, slice.
Perfect for steaks, bread, veggies, and pretending you’re at a steakhouse. 🥣 Soups, Sauces & Gravy Stir ½–1 teaspoon into: Gravy Cream soups Pan sauces Rice pilaf Skillet meals It replaces onion + butter + salt in one swoop. Add at the end for best flavor Store cool & dry (6 months easy) Shake before using—those butter powders like to settle