I Tried the TikTok Popular 'Onion Boil' Recipe and It's Worth It

You've likely scrolled late at night and seen a lot of TikTok viral recipes if you're like me. Some are cute, others are weird, and others leave you saying, "Wait. does that actually work? " This is how I felt when I came across the onion trend on TikTok, more commonly referred to as the "onion boil." Intrigued and slightly skeptical, I opted to try out this popular detox home remedy.

And to be honest? It caught me off guard in the best possible way.

What Is the Onion Boil Trend on TikTok?

_Onion Boil Recipe

The onion boil began to trend as a health hack from TikTok. Individuals were boiling onions, drinking the water or consuming the boiled onions as a medicinal food. Some assured it was beneficial for colds, others stating that it's a natural cleanse. The videos were all over, steaming pots, chopped onions cooking away, and content creators swearing on its effects.

What made me interested wasn't the buzz but the promises. I mean, onions are established with benefits, they're full of antioxidants, aid digestion, and contain anti-inflammatories. So why not?

Is This a Food Trend or a Wellness Trend?

It's a bit of both, really. Some TikTokers know boiling onions benefits and do it only to drink the broth for medicinal purposes (home remedy detox-style), while other TikTokers make the boiled onions into a basic side dish. It's most definitely being utilized more for health than for flavor, but with the proper tips and tricks, it's actually pretty delicious too.

Ingredients You'll Need

This is likely the simplest recipe you'll ever attempt. Here's what you'll need:

2 big onions (any variety, but more on that later!)
4–5 cups of water
Salt (optional)
Lemon (optional)
Honey (optional, if consuming the broth)

How to Make the Viral Onion Boil (Step-by-Step)

Choose Your Onions: Peel and chop your onions in half or quarters. I used yellow onions for a well-rounded flavor.
Boil: Put the onions in a medium-sized pot and submerge them with water. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
Simmer: After boiling, lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 20–30 minutes. You will see the water darken to golden and the aroma intensify.
Strain or Serve: You can now strain the water to drink as a warm broth or serve the softened onions as a side dish.
Optional: Add a slice of lemon or a spoon of honey to the broth if it is too strong for you.

Tips for a Great Onion Boil

How do you prepare an onion boil on the grill? If you want to make it grill-friendly and take it to the next level, follow these steps:

Slice onions half inch thick.
Put them in a foil packet with a splash of water and a pinch of salt.
Seal the packet and grill on medium for 20 minutes.

This will not yield the detox broth, but it produces an excellent sweet, caramelized form of the boil for a cookout.

What Kind of Onion Is Best to Use in an Onion Boil?

Yellow onions are your best option. They're strong-flavored but sweetened when boiled.
Red onions add a lovely pink color to the broth and are a bit sweeter.
White onions are sharper and more pungent, ideal if you're only using this as a detox solution.

What Can You Serve with an Onion Boil?

If you're serving the boiled onions as a food, they pair beautifully with:

Grilled meat
Roasted potatoes
Added to soups
Served with brown rice or quinoa

If you’re drinking the broth, pair it with light meals or sip it on an empty stomach in the morning for best results.

Final Thoughts

So, was it worth it? I mean it. The TikTok onion trend may sound weird at first, but I actually found the broth remarkably comforting, especially after a long day. It was a little like sipping a warm herbal tea. And the fact that I knew I was nourishing my body made it even more enjoyable.

Whether it's for the health benefits or you just want to claim you've attempted another of the TikTok viral foods, the onion boil is easy, inexpensive, and a breeze to attempt at home. It's one of those health hacks from Tiktok that isn't just hype, but actually useful.

Would I make it again? Yes, particularly during the cold season or when I need a fast wellness boost.