A while back we were discussing great sides at BBQ restaurants and I mentioned that the best onion rings I had ever had were at Dyres in Pampa Tx. Huskee made the comment that onion rings deserved their own discussion. So here it is, one of my favorite sides, open for discussion. Where are the best you’ve ever had? Are you a corn meal batter or a tempura batter fan, or something else? What is your favorite recipe and cooking method. Extra likes for pictures!
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I'm really surprised I've never given these a go. The method I most want to try is Steven Raichlen's bacon-wrapped rings, in which he coats the onion rings with sriracha before wrapping them in bacon and indirect grilling them. -
I’ve had this one for years and it is good. Got it from a magazine I think.
2 large sweet onions, such as Vidalia, sliced crosswise 1/2" thick and separated into rings. Save those small rings for something else
2 cups flour
1/2 cup buttermilk (More if you soak onions with it)
1/2 cup milk
1 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup cornstarch
3 tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tbsp. seasoned salt, such as Lawry's, plus more to taste.
Some hot sauce in the batter doesn’t hurt.
Peanut oil, for frying
Submerge onions in a bowl of ice water or some buttermilk and soak for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, place 1 cup flour in a bowl. Stir buttermilk and milk in another bowl. Add hot sauce to bowl if using.
Whisk remaining flour with cornmeal, cornstarch, baking powder, and seasoned salt in a third bowl; set aside.
Pour enough oil to reach a depth of 2" in a 6-qt. saucepan or use the deep fryer.
Heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350°.
Drain onions and pat dry with paper towels.
Working in batches, dredge onions in flour, shaking off excess, dip in milk, and then in cornmeal.
Fry, flipping once, until golden and crisp, 1–2 minutes. If the oil has cooled upto 3 minutes.
Drain rings on paper towels; sprinkle with more seasoned saltComment
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Secret family recipe:
... not as good as scratch ... but good enough when the urge strikes suddenly.Comment
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I’m way too lazy to make my own onion rings. But wifey and I both love them so we get them when out for dinner. We’ve found a couple places nearby that do them pretty well. I’m sure there frozen from a bag, but good enough for us. 🤷♂️Comment
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Pioneer Woman has the recipe that suits my taste the best:
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texastweeter - yes they are. I think I can get more in the oil if I cut 'em in half.
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Man! You guys and your onion ring recipes!
I'm trying to diet and cut carbs and count calories. The thought of a big batch of greasy crispy onions rings is all I have in my mind now...Comment
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Me too. I use intermittent fasting to help. I skip breakfast and lunch then have a common sense dinner. I can have a small baked potato and some pasta and still lose weight at a respectable pace. It’s amazing that once you get used to the fasting you feel better when you don’t eat than when you do. I have twice as much energy on mornings I fast than those where I eat breakfast. I’ve used it when ever I needed it for at least 5 years. My Dr. says it’s a great thing to do. Onion rings sound good! -
@oaksmoke I’m with you. Same thing. I have to be real hungry to eat now. More energy, less troubles. Been doing this for years. I only eat good food for that one meal.
Protein, starch, green veggie. Simple.
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The best I can recall was Rutts Hut in Clifton New Jersey many years ago. That with a couple of Rippers and a root beer.
I've never attempted to make my own. I'm with MBMorgan on the Nathan's onion rings. In fact they're on the menu tonight with a McRib sandwich from some leftover St Louis cut from a recent cook.Comment
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I like both, but probably like Tempura the best. I've never made them before!Comment
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Whenever I'm driving through downtown Atlanta, I crave the greasy onion rings from the Varsity. I love any style of rings. If onion rings on are the menu, I will order them.
Last edited by Purc; September 13, 2024, 05:18 PM.Comment
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Best I have ever has were at Little Rays Burger Barn in Wills Point TX which is now out of business. As far as current restaurants go, The Gristmill in Gruene, Clear Springs in New Braunfels, or Cotton Patch chain restaurants have to be at the top of the list.Comment
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texastweeter I tried your recipe with the leftover gravy on onion rings. I did something wrong. The gravy literally exploded in the oil and fell off the onion. If you would please explain that one again.
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texastweeter deep fried hot dog and topped with their relish or not. And go all the way down to beverages. Who's ever had YooHoo?
Last edited by RichieB; September 13, 2024, 05:41 PM.Comment
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I love onion rings, but lots of people do them bad... if your onion ring is the size of a pretzel, I don't care how good the batter is I'm not interested. I like smooth batter rings when done right, but I really like the flaky batter rings... but if your batter falls off every bite I take, well I'm not ordering them again.
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LA Pork Butt gonna need pics of those next time you go
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Will do, but it is looking like next June at the moment. Living in Dallas means a 8-9 hour trip depending on Baton Rouge traffic.
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Yakima, Washington. A 2 generation family restaurant; now, unfortunately closed. Friends put together a history and cookbook.. Gasperetti's was an Italian restaurant, arguably our best restaurant in the area. Their onion rings were an outstanding appetizer.
They would buy sacks of Walla Walla sweet onions in season, store them in an abandoned house they owned behind the restaurant, under blankets.
Full rings, sliced 1/4 inch thick.
Lard, to 350 degrees.
Soak in full fat buttermilk.
Dredge in unspecified flour and salt.
Drop into oil.
Take out at desired color.
I have successfully replicated these onions. My wife's high falutin' literary group (do not call it a book club!), most of whom were regular customers, were extremely complimentary.Comment
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