Egg and Onion Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Lisa Goldberg

Adapted by Joan Nathan

Updated Oct. 10, 2023

Egg and Onion Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(290)
Notes
Read community notes

Served to start the Sabbath dinner or as a simple breakfast on weekends, this Ashkenazic dish of mashed hard-boiled eggs and ultracaramelized onions feels indulgent in its rich flavor. Lisa Goldberg, a founder of the Monday Morning Cooking Club in Sydney, Australia, shares her grandmother’s Polish Jewish recipe for this beloved, time-honored dish, also called “eier mit tsibeles” in Yiddish. The key to deep, complex flavor is in the onions, which should be cooked slowly until caramelized, with a slightly burned texture. Save the leftover onion-infused oil to add flavor to vegetables or chicken. Serve this as an appetizer, with good bread or matzo, or as breakfast, with bagels or matzo. —Joan Nathan

Featured in: The One Dish an Australian Preserver of Jewish Recipes Always Serves

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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

  • large yellow onions, peeled and roughly chopped into ½-inch dice
  • ½cup vegetable oil or chicken fat
  • 6large eggs
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Chopped tarragon, chives or parsley, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

252 calories; 23 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 15 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 248 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Egg and Onion Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Put the onions and oil in a large frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and very soft.

  2. Meanwhile, put the eggs in a medium saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes, until hard-boiled. Drain the eggs and run under cold water until cool enough to handle. Next, tap each egg on the side of the sink until cracked all over, then peel under cold running water. Transfer the peeled eggs to a medium serving bowl. Coarsely mash the eggs with a fork.

  3. Step

    3

    When the onions are caramelized, transfer them to the eggs with a slotted spoon, leaving most of the oil in the pan. Gently mix with your hands or a fork or spoon; you should still be able to distinguish the egg bits from the onions. Season generously with salt and pepper. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little oil from the pan. The mixture should stick together if pressed with your fingers, but should not be oily. Sprinkle with herbs before serving warm or at room temperature.

Ratings

4

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290

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Lisa Goldberg

I am so thrilled that this recipe from my Bubbe Shendel has been shared with so many people around the world. It is a dish that is part of my DNA. I use a box grater to coarsely grate the eggs because that's how Bubbe did it! I hope everyone loves it as much as my family does.

Alex

Leave extra time. It’s not possible for onions to caramelize in 20 minutes, recipe editors just don’t want to scare people off. Budget more like 45.

Linda P

After all these years I see what I have been doing wrong. I have been placing oil in a heated pan and when the oil is sizzling, I place the onions into the pan. Within minutes the onions start to shrivel and burn. Hundreds of cookbooks and many NYTimes recipes, finally I will get caramalized onions right! Recipe sounds delicious.

Stacy A

My grandmother made something like this, but she added 1-2 cooked potatoes, lightly smashed with a fork, and mixed in. Chicken fat is a must for the incomparable flavor!

FRS

We have always eaten this dish but not as described. Instead, we dice the onions and sautee in a geberous amount of butter. Then add beaten eggs and scramble. Break a matzo in half and make a sandwich with the eggs and onions. Much more tasty than the recipe using hard boiled eggs.

Norman Bloom

I recall my Yiddish speaking great-grandmother (born @1865 in Poland) preparing almost the identical dish. Of course, she wouldn't think of using oil, and would only use chicken schmaltz. She would add "gribiness" i.e., chicken-skin cracklings to it. Put on matzoh, it was beyond delicious and was a staple in Passover meat meals.

Rena

Made this today and served on a toasted piece of calamata olive bread, delicious! I sautéed the onions in just a smallAmount of vegetable oil and the onions carmelized beautifully. One onion and 4 hard boiled eggs.

Figaro

Absolutely use schmaltz. If you have grebenes save them and add to final product. Use a large enough pan so onions brown, not steam. Also, don't use a non-stick pan-they don't brown well.Eggs: have you ever cooked them in an Instant Pot? They peel like a dream. High pressure on manual 5 min. Natural release 5 min.

Dianne Littwin .

I often use caramelize onions and last year learned the trick of making them in a slow cooker. I put the whole bag of onions, sliced, into a crock pot with a small amount of oil and cook for 6 or seven hours, stirring occasionally as they cook down. There are several recipes on line, and/or on NYtimes. I freeze in quarter and half cup scoops. When I need some, I take as much as needed out, heat slowly in a skillet to refresh. Great for kasha varnishkesand any other needs. Save lots of time

Toba

My mother caramelized onions for all sorts of recipes [stuffing,matzo or bread stuffing of your choice tossed with caramelized chopped onions, celery and mushrooms], tossed with boiled new potatoes. Take time to caramelize, preferably at a low heat and occasionaly Once you caramelize a batch of onions or the caramelized vegetable mix, it can be frozen then reheated in the microwave. So, mix up a batch of those onions, freeze and any morning reheat what you need.

cindy

I’m pretty sure that if you asked my husband for one of his top reasons for marrying me 46 years ago - he would say -without a doubt- my mother’s Eggs & Onions. (Same recipe as Joan’s.) Her sautéed onions were divine and it was always salted to perfection.

TechGal

Just a suggestion. If you want your eggs to peel easily, add to boiling water, and slow boil for 12 minutes, voila. Otherwise, what could be better than eggs and onions? Any time of day.

Lyd

I often save bits of unrendered chicken fat in the freezer. Popped a small piece in with the oil and onions. Easy natural chicken hit. Discarded, not eaten.

D Doron

A friend here in Melbourne gave us a tip for this kind of egg salad (which I have only encountered here in Australia): sautee the onions with a cube of chicken bullion. Yum!

Min

A version of this was used as a chopped liver alternative. Passover Sunday morn, our dad would fry the onion, boil the eggs and a potato. The onion and the oil it was fried in were mixed into the mashed potatoes & eggs. Salt and pepper were added to taste. This special breakfast treat was also accompanied by freshly made potato latkes and a salad of lettuce and tomatoes. It was our special treat because it tasted so delicious and it was made by our dad. Thanks so very much for the memory

Leskap19

This was a hit at Passover! I went for the longer slower caramelization of the onions just stirring occasionally while I did other things in the kitchen. Ate as an appetizer with matzo crackers.

Gina

Interestingly enough, I made this recipe using my Easter eggs...and even though my children are full grown, I still keep up the tradition of coloring eggs at Springtime...they are symbols of hope and new life, just like the egg represented on the Passover dinner...but what to do with the boiled eggs...this is a great alternative to deviled eggs... and for my young adult daughter, who actually loves both eggs and onions and who is not a "cook", is delighted at the simplicity and the satiety of it

Velvel S

Chopped dill is the herb to use for this dish. I also used two tablespoons of schmaltz with enough vegetable oil to make 1/2 cup total. The 2 tbl. of schmaltz give it extra tam (Yiddish for flavor) and was healthier than using all schmaltz.

CJ

I would recommend doubling the onions for 6 eggs. Delicious.

RachelYVR

Made this for our Seder last night. Was a hit! So delicious. I grated the eggs like Bubbe Shendel. Bubbe knows. Currently having a post Seder mini feast of gefilte fish, choooed liver, charoset and egg n onion with matzah. Life is complicated and uncertain but at this moment I feel very comforted by the food of my people

Rich O

It’s good. It may be a traditional Ashkenazi recipe, but it wasn’t a tradition or even known in my family. Nevertheless, it’s good- particularly this season when you are searching for ways to make matzo digestible. I made it with vegetable oil. I strongly suspect it is one of many ‘traditional Ashkenazi’ recipes that can be made with vegetable oil but is much better made with chicken fat.

Holly

Use a slow cooker to caramelize the onions. Works like a charm.

Sharon

My grandmother used to make this occasionally and i adored it. Made it for Passover last night and we ate what was supposed to be for two nights! Making more for tonight.

Phyllis

A friend served the most delicious matzoh balls that I swore were made with schmaltz. Instead she used coconut oil. Rich, deep, flavorful, and not indigestion-inducing. I wonder if coconut oil might be substituted here for schmaltz to the same effect?

Allan

For caramelizing onions, if one starts with a little water in a covered pan with the onions until soft at relatively low heat, and then uncover, the onions caramelize more evenly and maybe a little quicker.

Amy

When I saw this recipe my mouth began watering with memories from Seders decades ago at my Bubbe’s table. And it tasted perfect, even when the onions carmelize in olive oil rather than the traditional schmaltz. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.

Bagelsandmoxie

My grandma made this for every Jewish holiday with the addition of chopped mushrooms caramelized along with the onions. Such amazing, deep flavor from just a few ingredients. Nice to see it here!

Doris

My Mother also always made this for Passover. She grew up in Vienna and her grandmother made it with raw very fine chopped onions and potatoes. It was the tradition to eat this for lunch on the day of the first seder because you can’t eat chometz - bread after a certain point in the morning and one isn’t suppose to eat matzo until the Seder. So potatoes and eggs were the preferred choice. My kids like it with browned onions and of course gribenes!

MJF

I steam my eggs, not boil, and they always peel easily when allowed to cool at room temperature. Steam for 12 minutes if they are at RT, 13 if cold.

Stu

This reminds me of chopped liver without the liver and without the chopping. Now I know why I can't make chopped liver; by the time I get to the liver, the onions and eggs are all gone. The fragrance of onions frying in schmaltz is irresistible. Add eggs, and it's ethereal.

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Egg and Onion Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can we eat egg and onion together? ›

Boosts immunity: Eggs contain zinc and selenium, which are essential for a healthy immune system. Onions are also rich in vitamin C, which can help boost immunity.

Do you cook onions before adding to omelette? ›

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ham, onion, and bell pepper; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until onions soften and ham begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in eggs.

How do eggs help ingredients to stick together? ›

Eggs can act as binding agents. As their proteins set, eggs bind ingredients together giving strength and stability to meatloaves, casseroles and baked goods. Eggs are used to coat foods with crumbs, flour, etc. as they help these ingredients adhere and also help to create browned appearance when cooked.

Why does a beaten whole egg have less volume than the egg white beaten alone? ›

Egg yolk protein also foams but, because of the yolk's fat content, egg yolk forms a thicker foam of less volume than egg white. Egg yolk leavening is important in making puff omelets, sponge cakes and soufflé bases.

Can we apply egg and onion together? ›

The high protein content of egg whites mixed with onion juice is a super-effective remedy for getting rid of brittle hair and giving it a silky, smooth texture. How to use: Separate the egg white from the yolk and mix with onion juice. Whisk the ingredients together until you get a fine texture.

Is eating boiled onions good for you? ›

These sulfur molecules have anticancer effects, and they are slightly lower in cooked onions. That said, baked and sautéed onions contain slightly higher levels of quercetin, the antioxidant that is linked to many health benefits. At the end of the day, both raw and cooked onions are a nutritious addition to your food.

What makes an omelette taste better? ›

The Right Add-Ins for Flavor: Cheese, Meat, Veggies, Seasonings
  1. Diced ham, chicken, or bacon.
  2. Any type of cheese you like.
  3. Spinach, bell peppers, caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, or fresh herbs.
  4. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. (

Should I make an omelette with butter or oil? ›

Though butter does have nutritional value, olive oil might be the better choice. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, liquid fats like olive oil are rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats, while butter has more saturated fats.

Why does vinegar keep eggs together? ›

"Vinegar is an inherently acidic material, so if we add a few drops of vinegar into that boiling water that is going to increase the rate of denaturing and it's going to make that happen faster and help the poached egg hold its shape better."

What is the purpose of beating an egg prior to adding it to a recipe? ›

This ensures the yolk and the whites will not separate once added to the other ingredients in your recipe. Here's the easy way to slightly beat eggs: Crack the egg into a bowl and use a fork or a whisk ($6, Target) to beat the entire egg until the yolk and white are combined and have a uniform color.

What do eggs do for the body? ›

Eggs are packed full of high-quality protein, making them ideal as part of many different dietary patterns that can assist people in managing their weight. Consuming eggs can also help reduce variations in glucose levels, which can have great lasting benefits in regulating eating patterns.

Why add water to beaten eggs? ›

But you don't need that much water to achieve fluff. Even a little makes a difference. As cookbook author J. Kenji-López-Alt explains it in The Food Lab, adding water to scrambled eggs “means more vaporization occurs, creating larger bubbles in the eggs and lightening them.”

What happens when you overbeat eggs? ›

Overbeaten. The earliest signs of overbeating are little granules on the side of the bowl (as noted in this photo) and decreased volume. After that, the whole mixture looks dry and curdled. If it's really overbeaten, the structure of the egg whites will break and liquid will weep out.

What should not be eaten with eggs? ›

Avoid pairing eggs with these items
  1. Soya milk. Like egg, soya milk, too, is rich in protein. ...
  2. Tea. Many people like to have eggs with tea. ...
  3. Yoghurt. Another food that you should completely avoid consuming with eggs is yoghurt. ...
  4. Sugar and banana. It's better not to combine sugar and bananas with eggs. ...
  5. Meat. ...
  6. Citrus fruits.
Oct 12, 2023

Can we eat egg and garlic together? ›

They are a versatile ingredient and can be enjoyed in various forms, such as boiled, scrambled, or in omelets [1]. While there is no specific evidence of a toxic interaction between garlic and eggs, it's important to be aware of potential food combinations that may cause digestive discomfort or other issues.

Can I eat onion in breakfast? ›

Yep – onions are just as delicious and nutritious for that most important meal of the day. If you want to add more flavor and nutrition to your breakfast, onions are the way to go. We've pulled together some tried and true methods to adding onions to your morning, as well as some great recipes to try!

Do eggs and vegetables go together? ›

Studies show that eating eggs, which naturally contain fats, alongside vegetables helps the body to better absorb the fat-soluble nutrients in veggies like vitamin E and lutein. This Mediterranean Salad Bowl is filled with colourful veggies like red peppers, cherry tomatoes and broccoli.

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