May onions be sauted in butter in microwave?

Question

It seems when I saute onion in the skillet, even sweet onions, my house smells so bad from the onion smell. Just thought if someone had good results with sauteeing them in butter in the microwave, I would like to know your results.

Thank you.

Answer 1

NO. A microwave can only take food to 212 degrees, the boiling point of water. That's how microwaves cook. They boil the inernal moisture of the food. To saute an item you need heat in excess of 300 degrees to caramelize it. You must cook them in a saute pan, (or in an oven).

Answer 2

Microwaves can heat thing well above 212 and can start paper on fire at 451 Fahrenheit (like the book) I made that mistake once.
What a mess. Melted plastic, smoke, smoke alarm, Oh No!
A really simple recipe for a great onion:
Score the onion from the top most the way down into eighths place in a microwavable dish apply 2 tbsp butter to the center and microwave on high for 2 to five minutes depending on the size of the onion and the oven.

Answer 3

I have done this before, you can still smell onions though in the house. And they don't brown very well. So it depends on if you want them browned. I personally love the smell, so I just cook them on the stove, I like them more browned and I like the smell. Sorry I could'nt be of more help. Good luck though.

Answer 4

You can certainly cook them that way, yes. However, if you're trying to caramelize them, they will not brown in the micro. They will get soft/wilted though. I quite frequently cook onions in my micro. :)