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Grilled Onion Blossoms Recipe

4.5 from 52 reviews

Grilled Onion Blossoms are a delicious and visually appealing appetizer perfect for summer cookouts. Sweet Vidalia onions are expertly sliced to create petals, seasoned with a flavorful Parmesan and spice blend, then grilled to tender perfection with a slight char. Served with a creamy, tangy dipping sauce, these onion blossoms make a savory treat that’s simple to prepare and sure to impress guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Dipping Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Salt, to taste

Seasoning

  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste

Main Ingredient

  • 4 sweet Vidalia onions, peeled with root end intact
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • Fresh chopped parsley, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill and prepare sauce: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
  2. Mix seasoning blend: In another small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, paprika, cayenne pepper, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and stir well to create the seasoning mixture.
  3. Prepare onion blossoms: Trim the stem end off each onion and place the onion flat side down on a cutting board. Carefully cut from the root end about half an inch down into 12 to 16 sections to create petals without cutting through the root, which holds the onion together. Gently flip the onion over and carefully separate the petals outward to form a blossom shape.
  4. Season the onions: Sprinkle the Parmesan and spice mixture evenly over all the onion petals, making sure to coat them thoroughly.
  5. Grill the onions: Drizzle the onion blossoms with olive oil. Place them on the preheated grill, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the onions are tender and have developed a light char.
  6. Garnish and serve: Remove the onions from the grill, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve warm with the prepared creamy dipping sauce for an irresistible appetizer.

Notes

  • Be careful not to cut all the way through the onion at the root to keep the petals intact.
  • Use sweet Vidalia onions for their natural sweetness and mild flavor suitable for grilling.
  • You can substitute the Parmesan with a vegetarian hard cheese if preferred.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper to your heat preference or omit if sensitive to spice.
  • Grilling covered helps the onions cook evenly and retain moisture.

Keywords: grilled onion blossoms, onion appetizer, grilled onions, Vidalia onions, summer appetizer, Parmesan onion, dipping sauce