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

Examples of caramelize in a Sentence

The onions will take five minutes to caramelize.

Caramelize two cups of sugar.

Continue stirring until the sugar caramelizes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Detroit-style pizza features unexpected combinations, like brussels sprouts and caramelized onions, and chili crisp and meatballs. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025

But a couple of years ago food stylist Caroline Hwang, who is also co-founder of Synonym magazine, introduced me to her recipe for the Hawaiian version featuring furikake and a sweet soy sauce glaze that caramelizes in the oven to exquisite crunchiness. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025

As the three of us tuck into a mouthwatering mixture of oxtail, gnocchi, and caramelized onions, someone waves from the road — one of the bartenders from Proces, who stops to say hi to the two of them, and recognizes me as well. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2025

Halfway through the roast, they get coated in a sticky, honey-mustard glaze, then continue cooking until tender and caramelized. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appétit, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1