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(294)
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. Step

    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

out of 5

294

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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

NanaChristine

I no longer boil eggs, I use the air fryer! 15 minutes at 270, then ice bath until cool. Peels like a dream! I will try making this recipe using avocado or olive oil, as I don't eat chicken. Sounds like something my great-grandmother Bubbe Sarah would have made.

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.

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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.

Why do my eggs taste like onions? ›

Egg shells are porous and can sometimes absorb smells from other strong smelling foods in the fridge so it is not a good idea to put eggs on the back of the fridge door next to the left over onion or garlic cloves.

What are 2 rules to remember when cooking eggs? ›

The longer the egg cooks, the harder the white and yolk become. Tip: You should always put the egg in the bubbling-boiling water first and not beforehand, because that way you can keep an eye on the cooking time and the egg is not already cooking before the water starts to simmer.

What to do when a recipe calls for two eggs and you only have one? ›

For recipes which use eggs primarily as a leavening agent you can try a commercial egg replacement product for an egg or the following mixture: 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder per egg.

What should not be eaten with eggs? ›

The combination of eggs with these things can be harmful to health.
  1. Dairy Products. Eggs should not be eaten with soy milk. ...
  2. Soy milk. Many people like to eat eggs or omelettes with tea for breakfast. ...
  3. Tea. ...
  4. Sugar.
Sep 21, 2023

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.

Why do my boiled eggs taste funny? ›

Overcooking: Eggs that are boiled for too long can become rubbery and have a strong sulfur-like taste. Old eggs: Eggs that are past their expiration date can taste bad when boiled. Improper cooling: If eggs are not cooled quickly after boiling, they can develop a rubbery texture and a strong sulfur taste.

Why do eggs suddenly taste bad? ›

Because, believe it or not, you are tasting iron (from the yolk) and sulfur (from the white) which have combined to form ferrous sulfide. The older the egg, the more alkaline the white and the more likely this is to happen, but only if you cook them long enough at a high enough temperature.

What is a fried egg with a broken yolk called? ›

Cooked on both sides all the way through, with the yolk broken (immediately after the egg is cracked). Sunny-side up.

What not to do when cooking eggs? ›

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Eggs
  1. Seasoning the water when making poached eggs. ...
  2. Using high heat. ...
  3. Using the wrong pan. ...
  4. Cracking on the side of the pan or bowl. ...
  5. Not whisking enough. ...
  6. Cracking the eggs directly into the water when making poached eggs. ...
  7. Adding eggs to a cold pan.

What is a fully cooked fried egg called? ›

An over-hard egg is an over-easy egg whose yolk is completely cooked through. It starts as a fried egg that's cooked on one side, then flipped and cooked yolk-side down until the yolk is no longer runny. You can also order your eggs "over-medium" if you'd like it somewhere in the middle.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs? ›

Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.

How many bananas replace an egg? ›

Banana. Use ripe bananas to add moisture. One mashed banana can replace one egg in cakes and pancakes. Since it will add a bit of flavor, make sure that it's compatible with the other ingredients of the recipe.

Can I skip eggs in a recipe? ›

You can whisk 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water and 2 teaspoons of baking powder together to replace each egg in baked goods like cookies, brownies or quick breads. This substitution won't impact a recipes' flavor profile the way egg substitutions like mashed banana or flaxseed might.

Can I use onion juice and egg together? ›

Egg and onion juice mask to treat damaged hair

Whisk the ingredients together until you get a fine texture. Apply it to your scalp and work it down to the length of your hair. Rinse it with cool water and a gentle shampoo after half an hour. Use it once or twice a week for best results.

Can we eat egg and garlic together? ›

Eating garlic with eggs is generally safe and a common culinary practice in many cultures. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that combining garlic and eggs is toxic or harmful to health when consumed in reasonable quantities as part of a balanced diet.

Can I eat onion in breakfast? ›

Raw onions offer several potential health benefits when consumed in the morning or any time of the day. Here are some of the benefits associated with eating raw onions: 1. Nutrient-rich: Onions are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins C and B6, folate, potassium, and dietary fiber.

Is it good to have onion for 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.

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