caramelize

American  

[kar-uh-muh-lahyz, kahr-muh-] / ˈkær ə məˌlaɪz, ˈkɑr mə- /

especially British, caramelise

verb (used with or without object)

caramelized, caramelizing

1. to convert or be converted into caramel.

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caramelize British  

/ ˈkærəməˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to convert or be converted into caramel

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Other Word Forms

• caramelization noun
• uncaramelized adjective

Etymology

Origin of caramelize

First recorded in 1720–30; caramel + -ize

Explanation

To caramelize is to slowly cook a food until it turns sweet, nutty, and brown. You can also caramelize pure sugar, or cook it until it melts, becoming golden-brown, sweet, and thick. When a cook caramelizes chopped onion, she gently cooks it in butter or oil, usually for a long time at a low temperature, until the sugars in the onion begin to brown and become very sweet. She caramelizes sugar by cooking it until it melts and reaches a certain temperature. The verb caramelize comes from caramel, or "burnt sugar" in French.

Example Sentences

When the chicken is done, slather it in Sanders BBQ Supply Co Sticky Icky Peach Wing Sauce and let it caramelize for a few minutes over the heat.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

The sun-dried tomatoes caramelize, while the fresh cherries burst, rounding out the acidity with a backbone of umami.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2025

The crushed cane and fibers are dried and fuel the fire used to boil the juice, evaporate the water and caramelize the sugars.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2024

Once the meat is cooking, the sugars in the marinade caramelize to create flavorful browning, and the steak finishes in only a few minutes on each side.

From Washington Times • Aug. 2, 2023

Laughing as they chop onions and caramelize them with garam masala and turmeric and ginger and garlic, trying to replicate my nanni’s kheema.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed