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Tennessee Onions bring sweet Vidalia onions together with a decadent mix of cheeses and spices, baked until bubbling and golden. Whether served alongside barbecue, piled atop a juicy burger, or as a crowd-pleasing side for grilled meats, this dish delivers big flavor with little effort. It’s comfort food at its best—easy to make and impossible to resist!
Have you ever come across a dish that makes you wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that sooner?” Tennessee Onions are exactly that kind of dish. This simple, cheesy casserole is everything you want in a side: rich, savory, and so easy to throw together. Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or bringing something special to a potluck, Tennessee Onions always steal the show—and they’re the perfect balance of comfort and flavor.
The last time I baked these cheesy gems of deliciousness, we used them for a burger and game night at our house—and let me tell you, they were the star of the show. The onions got all caramelized and gooey, with the perfect mix of savory, cheesy goodness, and we piled them high on top of our burgers. Talk about an upgrade! Whether you’re making burgers, sandwiches, or even just serving them as a side, Tennessee Onions are the perfect way to add a little extra flair to any meal.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Never See Onions the Same After This
- Tennessee Onions Taste Like
- Ingredients for Tennessee Onions
- A Buying Guide for Onions
- Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Tennessee Onions
- Beer, Wine and Cocktail Pairings
- How to Serve
- Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- More Burger BFFs to Try!
- Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions Recipe
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why You’ll Never See Onions the Same After This
- Cheesy Goodness: A glorious duo of cheddar cheese and smoked Gouda cheese melt into each other for the ultimate creamy topping.
- Savory Kick: A touch of garlic salt and cayenne pepper adds just enough heat to keep things interesting.
- Easy & Versatile: Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled meats or as a vegetarian main dish, it’s a crowd-pleaser for every occasion.
Tennessee Onions Taste Like
- Sweetness: Natural sweetness of Vidalia onions, caramelized to perfection.
- Creamy & Savory: Melted mild Cheddar and smoky Gouda create a rich, creamy topping.
- Savory Depth: Seasonings like garlic salt and oregano add savory layers.
- Subtle Heat: A hint of cayenne pepper gives the dish a gentle, spicy kick.
- Balance of Flavors: A perfect blend of sweet, savory, creamy, and spicy.
Ingredients for Tennessee Onions
These ingredients may seem simple, but trust me, they’re like a dream team in the kitchen—each one pulling its weight. The cayenne pepper brings just a hint of heat, but if you’re looking to make things sweat worthy, go ahead and add a pinch more.
A Buying Guide for Onions
When picking out your onions for this recipe, go for medium-sized sweet Vidalia onions (or any sweet white onions) that are firm, with smooth skin and no imperfections. Walla Walla and Maui onions work, too. A good, sweet onion will be large, firm, and free of bruising, with a smooth, unblemished skin. Give it a sniff—if it smells mildly sweet, almost fruity, you’re on the right track. For onions that hold their shape, slice them into 1/2-inch-thick rings—go too thin and they might fall apart on you during oven baking. Choose wisely for that perfect crunch!
Recipe Shortcuts
- Onion Slicing: Use a mandoline slicer to speed up the slicing process and get 1/2-inch-thick uniform slices.
Ingredient Notes
Sweet Onions (Vidalia, Walla Walla, or Maui)
Best Choice: Look for large, firm onions with smooth skins.
Butter (Salted)
Best Choice: Salted butter really shines in this recipe.
Mild Cheddar and Smoked Gouda Cheeses (Shredded)
Best Choice: Choose whole block cheeses and shred yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but freshly shredded gives the best melt.
Substitute: Another pleasing combination is Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Together equaling the same measure, they offer a rich and varied taste.
How to Make Tennessee Onions
Scroll down for the full printable recipe or stick around for the step-by-step breakdown with photos to walk you through every delicious detail.
1
Prepare a Baking Dish
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine all of the aromatics (thyme, dried parsley flakes, garlic salt, dried oregano, cayenne, and dry mustard) and stir.
VARIATION: If you prefer a milder flavor, skip the cayenne or reduce the amount.
2
Layer the Ingredients
Arrange half the onions evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the combined aromatics.
3
Repeat the Layer
Arrange half the butter over the layer of onions, then half of each of the Cheddar and Gouda. Repeat with remaining onion slices, aromatics, butter and cheeses to create a second layer.
4
Cover and Bake
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven until onions are soft and sides are bubbly, about 40 minutes.
5
Uncover and Bronze
Remove foil. Bake until top is golden, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on your oven.
VARIATION: Want to add a crunchy top? After baking, sprinkle a bit of breadcrumbs over the cheese for a golden, crispy finish.
6
Crispy, Cheesy Southern Bliss!
Grab a fork and get lost in all that gooey, crispy goodness.
Beer, Wine and Cocktail Pairings
A Pale Ale or Amber Ale offers a nice balance, with hoppy bitterness or malty sweetness complementing the rich, cheesy onions. If you’re looking for something lighter, a Wheat Beer brings citrus notes to refresh the palate between bites.
A Chardonnay with its buttery texture is a perfect match for the creamy onions, while a Sauvignon Blanc provides a crisp, herbal contrast. For a red option, Pinot Noir offers light berry flavors that won’t overpower the dish, making it ideal when the onions are paired with a juicy burger.
When serving Tennessee Onions as a burger topping, a Whiskey Sour with its tangy lemon twist pairs beautifully with the rich, savory flavors. A Gin and Tonic or Moscow Mule offers refreshing effervescence, balancing the dish’s depth with a little zing.
How to Serve
Tennessee Onions make a killer burger topping, adding a burst of cheesy, savory goodness that perfectly complements the meat. They also pair beautifully with all things barbecue and grilled steaks, offering a sweet and savory contrast to smoky flavors. Personally, I love serving them alongside my Beef Tips in Mushroom Pan Sauce or piled on top of Shaved Beef French Dip Sandwiches, where they add that extra bit of deliciousness. Whether you’re using them as a topping or a side, these onions never fail to impress.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Making Tennessee Onions ahead of time is a total game-changer. You can prep everything a day in advance and store it in the fridge until it’s time to bake. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before popping it into the oven for even cooking. Got leftovers? No problem! Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. As for freezing, it’s not the best idea—while you can freeze them, reheating might change the texture, and we want to keep them as delicious as possible.
More Burger BFFs to Try!
Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds Vidalia onions , sliced into 1/2-inch slices; may substitute Walla Walla or Maui onions
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, increase to 1/2 teaspoon to increase heat
- 1/4 cup salted butter, cut into pieces
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese, mild; shredded from a large block
- 4 ounces smoked Gruyere, shredded from a large block
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a shallow bowl, combine thyme, dried parsley, garlic salt, dried oregano, cayenne, and dry mustard and stir. If you don't want any heat, the cayenne may be omitted altogether. If you prefer things hotter, increase to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Arrange half the onions evenly in the prepared baking dish. Cover the entire bottom. Sprinkle with half of the combined aromatics. Arrange half the butter pieces over the layer of onions, then half of each of the Cheddar and Gouda. Repeat with remaining onion slices, aromatics, butter and cheeses to create a second layer.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven until onions are soft and sides are bubbly, about 40 minutes. Remove foil. Bake until top is golden, anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes depending on your oven. Serve alongside grilled steaks, barbecue, atop a burger, or as a savory side dish to complement any meal.
Video
Notes
- Make Ahead – prep up to 1 day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until it’s time to bake. Allow the casserole to sit at room temperature for about an hour before placing into the oven for even cooking.
- Storing Leftovers – store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3days.
- Freezing is not advised. While you can freeze them, reheating changes the texture rendering them too soft to keep their form.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Both Walla Walla and Maui onions will work as they are the most similar sweet onions.
Absolutely! Prepare it the day before, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready.
