Perhaps you're throwing something together before grocery shopping day, or you need to pivot due to a houseguest's allergy. Maybe you've grabbed the final onion in the bag and it's morphed into something unrecognizable.
These suggestions for substitutions might not help you if you were planning on, say, roasting or pickling the onion, in that case only the real thing will do. But if you're simply cooking with it, there are many things that can happily slide into its place.
The Best Substitutes for Onion
Shallot
Shallots are hands-down the best substitute for onions. They're small onions with a mild, delicate, flavor. Toss chopped, sliced, or finely diced shallots in literally anything: soups, sauces, and a host of sauteed dishes. Because of their smaller size, you'll need to use more, but the substitution is still one-for-one.
Leek
Creamy, sweet when cooked, and with a hint of a garlicky punch, these long, green and white stalks are a sophisticated substitution for onions. Using leeks instead of onions will elevate whatever you're cooking (try these skillet pork chops) and make it even better. One large leek will replace one medium onion.
Scallion (Green Onion)
With their milder flavor, scallions work in both cooked and raw applications. These green and white stems are also smaller, so you'll need more of them to get the same amount of onion. In terms of flavor, these will be the most similar, but with an added element of freshness. A heartier recipe like these Cheddar-Onion Drop Biscuits would be great with scallions instead. To switch, 1 medium onion or 1 cup chopped onion is equal to about 6-8 green onions.
Fennel
Fennel looks similar to an onion but packs a punch of rich anise flavor, especially when raw. That sharpness is tempered when cooked, so not only is it a fine onion replacement, but the nuance it brings along with it is lovely, particularly in sauces and gravies. One fennel bulb should have about the same amount of yield as one medium to large onion.
Celery
The blank canvas that is celery is another stand-in for those with an onion allergy. Celery won't have the same taste, but it'll closely mimic the texture. This substitution would be an especially good decision for something like soup, (just not French onion). Use 2-3 celery stalks for every 1 medium onion or one cup chopped onion.
Chives
If you only need a little onion, sprinkle in chives. You'd need a lot of these little green sticks to go tit for tat with onions. So, try and choose recipes where onions are not the star, and don't worry about being precise on the amount of substitution.
Onion Powder
Other veggies aren't the only option — your spice rack can offer a more concentrated solution. Onion powder will certainly succeed in the flavor category, but inevitably the texture will be different, so it would be a good idea to bring in a teammate to help in that area, like celery or carrots. (Try this in a stew, like spicy chicken sweet potato.) Use 1 tablespoon onion powder for every 1 cup chopped onion or one medium onion.
Minced Onion
Dried onion flake, or minced onion, has an excellent onion flavor, but keep in mind when substituting it for fresh onion that the texture will be altered. Like onion powder, consider throwing in something else like celery, carrots, or bell pepper to help on both accounts. 3 tablespoons of dried onion flakes will replace 1 cup chopped onion or one medium onion.
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FAQs
Some options include using shallots, leeks, scallions, or garlic as alternatives to onions. Additionally, using herbs such as celery leaves, fennel, or cumin can also provide a similar flavor profile without the use of onions.
What to use if you can't eat onions? ›
Fennel, which has a licorice-like taste but onion-like texture. Try it with chicken or fish. Celery, among the most common aromatics. Bell peppers, a vegetable that's often used in Cajun cooking.
What is a good red onion substitute? ›
White Onions
The most popular red onion substitute is white onion. They're similar to red onions in texture, adding a delightful crunch to different recipes. But note that white onions have a milder, sweeter flavor than red ones, so they're great for recipes where you want a more subtle onion presence.
What herb can replace onion? ›
Chives. Finally, chives can be a worthy substitute in your no garlic or onion master plan. It's actually the best of both worlds, with mild notes of both onion and garlic. Fresh or dried chives are safe to eat on a FODMAP diet.
What is a good substitute for onions for GERD? ›
Flavorful low-FODMAP substitutions for garlic and onions
- Garlic oil.
- Low-FODMAP alliums.
- Other vegetables.
- Different aromatics.
- Herbs.
- Citrus.
- Umami-rich ingredients.
- Asafetida.
For onion, use a neutral vegetable. In tomato-based sauces, use zucchini , celery, fennel, mushroom or another neutral squash or vegetable instead of onion; use oregano for a garlic-like flavor wherever it works (Italian, Mexican, etc. cuisines). Add miso for a roasted onion garlic flavor.
What is it called when you can't eat onions? ›
Allium intolerance symptoms and their severity can differ from person to person. You might find symptoms appear shortly after consuming onions or garlic, or you might find the signs of your intolerance don't show for a few hours. Some of the most common allium intolerance symptoms are: Stomach ache. Cramping.
What can I use instead of onion for low fodmap? ›
How do you replace the onion flavour while eating low FODMAP?
- Use the green tips of spring onion or leek (3). ...
- Chives are low FODMAP onion alternative and provide dishes with a mild onion taste with just a hint of garlic flavour (3). ...
- Onion infused oil is a tasty and safe replacement for onion in low FODMAP meals.
What Can I Substitute for Spanish Onion? If you can't get yellow onions, other dry bulb onion options are white and red (shallots will work, but they're small and so will need more prep). White are used often in Mexican and Southwestern dishes—they're a little milder than yellow onions, and so nice for using raw.
What are the symptoms of onion intolerance? ›
Yes, you can be allergic to onions. Symptoms of an onion allergy can include hives, redness, itching, and swelling of the skin, difficulty breathing, and an upset stomach. Severe reactions, although rare, can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency.
Finely cubed celery is a wonderful onion replacement in curries, soups, and stew dishes. I use it so much when I'm making grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, and the like. Most often I like to sauté finely chopped celery first, and then incorporate it into hot dishes.
How can I add flavor without onions? ›
Whether you want to eat less garlic and onion or give them up entirely, try these tricks to boost flavor in your meals.
- Use fresh chives or the tops of scallions. ...
- Use infused oil. ...
- Pump up the flavor with other herbs and spices. ...
- Focus on umami.
When there's no time to chop onions, onion powder is one option. Substitute 1 tablespoon of onion powder for one medium chopped onion. For the best onion flavor, use frozen chopped onions or dried minced onion (found in the spice aisle). One tablespoon of dried minced onion equals 1/4 cup minced raw onion.
Which flower can replace onion as a spice in cooking? ›
Leeks, scapes, chives, and ramps are all sort of, vaugely similar, and may work better or in addition to onions. But it's very hard to replace the humble onion.
What is the most versatile onion for cooking? ›
Yellow onions are your go-to cooking onions. This onion has yellow skin and a strong flavor due to its high sulphur content, which mellows out during cooking, becoming sweet and flavorful. Its ability to hold up to heat makes it great for caramelizing and roasting.
