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

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

Underneath, a swamp of flavors: pork debris (the meat that falls off the roast and settles at the bottom of the pan; seems to be a Louisiana thing), cheesy grits, caramelized onions, and garlic. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

The Double Char includes two chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayonnaise on a toasted bun. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025

To take part regardless of the season, roast and caramelize your favorite produce in the oven, or find new ways to add a char to surprising dishes, like in McCormick’s Charred Plum Crostini. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1