caramelize

verb

car·a·mel·ize ˈkär-mə-ˌlīz

ˈker-ə-mə-,

ˈka-rə-mə-

caramelized; caramelizing

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Roast until fork-tender and caramelized, about 25 minutes. —

Claudia Alexander, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Over medium heat, caramelize onions in the marinade until onions are glossy. —

Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024 Start with dippable delights that includes black sesame hummus with nori crackers; caramelized scallion & creme Gracie with house chips; then move on to succulent small bites like roasted sea scallops doused with chilli butter; and juicy crispy mushroom bao buns. —

Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 The dish consists of sauteed rice, caramelized onions, tomato paste, cumin, cinnamon, and turmeric topped with white flaky fish. —

Paul Feinstein, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caramelize