caramelize

verb

car·​a·​mel·​ize ˈkär-mə-ˌlīz 

ˈker-ə-mə-,

ˈka-rə-mə-

caramelized; caramelizing

1

transitive : to subject (sugar or the sugar content of a food) to caramelization : to change into caramel (see caramel sense 1) by heating at high temperature

… flan bathed in caramelized sugar and topped with whipped cream …

—Penelope Casas

At a restaurant, some unlucky prep cook gets to peel, slice, and caramelize bags of onions in the morning.

—Stephanie Alleyne

2

intransitive : to change to caramel

Fructose begins to rapidly caramelize at around 200 degrees …

—Matthew Card

: to undergo caramelization

These sweet potatoes caramelize slightly in the oven, which gives them a sweet crunch as their flesh remains creamy.

—Lesley Porcelli

Example Sentences

The onions will take five minutes to caramelize.

Caramelize two cups of sugar.

Continue stirring until the sugar caramelizes.

Recent Examples on the Web

And, main course dishes include the restaurant’s signature Lobster Risotto, the renowned Chicken Pie, Spring Lamb that comes with cabbage, caramelized onion, and anchovy, and, vegetarian offerings like the Vegetable Tagine and Marinated Aubergine. —Allyson Portee, Forbes, 2 May 2023

The sugar snaps and onions were caramelized and slightly charred. —Melissa Clark, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023

Official tasting notes mention ripe fruit and caramelized almond on the nose, followed by creamy vanilla toffee, citrus, and green apple on the palate, with an oaky finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2023

Dulce de leche Some Argentinians would argue that licking dulce de leche (caramelized milk and sugar sauce) from a spoon is a meal in itself. —Sorrel Moseley-williams, CNN, 5 Mar. 2023

Once onions are caramelized, add wine and sherry to the pot and allow mixture to come to boil. —Sara Bonisteel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2023

Roast for about 30 minutes, until the lamb is evenly browned, the oranges have caramelized and an instant read thermometer in the middle of the thickest part of the lamb registers 125 degrees. —Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Apr. 2023

Remove lid and let onions caramelize until golden brown over medium heat, stirring occasionally. —Sara Bonisteel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2023

Their 2018 vintage is aged in François Freres French oak for 14 months and has aromas of ripe cherry, caramelized orange peel, and cinnamon. —Mike Desimone And Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1