13 Onion Recipes So Good You’ll Cry Twice, Once Chopping and Once Eating

You know the drill: you slice an onion, your eyes start streaming, and you wonder why you do this to yourself. Then the kitchen smells like caramelized onions, and all is forgiven.

My cheese and onion knishes started with onions in my pantry and a container of farmer’s cheese pushed to the back of my fridge. The onions carry the whole filling.

These 13 onion recipes are worth every tear: once while you chop, and once when the first bite hits. Blame the onions for the sniffles, and take all the credit for dinner.

Cheesy Onion Bread

Onion and cheese in one loaf is the kind of idea you wish you’d had sooner. Tear off a warm piece, and you get savory onion flavor and melty cheese in every bite. Chopping onions may make you cry, but this bread brings the happy tears.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Onion Bread

Mexican Stuffed Onions

What if the onion was the main event? These Mexican stuffed onions make the onion the star of the plate instead of a sidekick. Keep the tissues close while you prep them.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Stuffed Onions

French Onion Chicken Skillet

Your eyes will sting while you slice the yellow onions, but the second cry comes when you taste this skillet. The onions caramelize with a little thyme until the kitchen smells like French onion soup, then tender chicken and melted cheese finish it in one pan. It’s become a family favorite, and leftovers reheat in the skillet with fresh pasta on the side.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken Skillet

Cheese and Onion Knishes

I saw the onions in the pantry first, and a container of farmer’s cheese pushed to the back of the fridge, so knishes it was. Onions add depth to the filling, making the tears at the cutting board worth it, and the farmer’s cheese keeps it soft but not runny. Cool the knishes completely before storing, and they keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Onion Knishes

Creamed Onions

Think you don’t like creamed onions? This recipe puts extra onion flavor into every creamy bite, so the tears at the cutting board pay off. Make it as a side, and let the first spoonful change your mind.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Onions

French Onion Tart

Sweet, slow-cooked onions in a crisp tart shell make this look like it came from a French bistro. Slice it for brunch, a light dinner, or a party table. Plan for tears at the cutting board and again at the first bite.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Tart

Apple Balsamic Onion Grilled Cheese

Cry over the onions now, smile at the sandwich later. Apple, balsamic, and onion give grilled cheese a grown-up upgrade, with sweet-tart apple and tangy balsamic making the onions taste even sweeter. It’s lunch, but it feels fancy.
Get the Recipe: Apple Balsamic Onion Grilled Cheese

French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

When I want something hearty and satisfying, this casserole always hits the spot. Push through the sting of chopping, and caramelized onions, tender chicken, and creamy rice bake under melted cheese into a dish that feels like a hug. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, or you can freeze them.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Chicken and Rice Casserole

Traeger Smoked Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip

The tears start at the cutting board, but the real cry comes from this dip: caramelized onions, smoke, and melted cheese in one bowl. Bring chips, and expect a crowd around it.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Cheesy Caramelized Onion Dip

Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Slice the onions until you tear up, then let the slow cooker do the rest. Tender beef meatballs simmer with caramelized onions in a rich broth, and Gruyère melts over the top. Spoon it over mashed potatoes with crispy onions, and that’s your second cry.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs

Easy French Onion Risotto

Risotto has a reputation for being fussy, but this easy version keeps it simple, with creamy rice and sweet onions that taste like French onion soup. The onions will make you cry at the cutting board, and the first spoonful might do it again.
Get the Recipe: Easy French Onion Risotto

Smoked Cipollini Onions

Cipollini onions are small and sweet, and smoking gives them a deeper, mellow flavor. They’re a fun side for steak or a spot on a snack board. One bite, and the tears are worth it.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cipollini Onions

Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Butter, seasonings, and plenty of cheese bake sliced sweet onions into bubbly Southern comfort. Expect tears at the cutting board and a clean dish at dinner. Spoon some over burgers, or serve it as a side.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions

Onions may make us cry, but a really good onion dish makes it all worthwhile. Which one would you make first?