18 Best Onion Substitutes

What will you do when you run out of onions? Of course, opt for these onion substitutes. These alternatives will surely give your dish an enticing flavor that closely resembles onions.

Thanks to these substitutes, you can whip up your favorite recipes without any fear of lacking flavor. Moreover, you can also check and learn other things that you didn’t know about this spice before.

Now, let’s begin to discover the best replacements for onions when you run out of this amazing and flavorful ingredient!

18 Amazing Onion Substitutes You Probably Have In Your Kitchen

There are 18 ways that you can create an onion substitute for your dish. When you use them, I assure you will not feel the differences between the two spices.

1. Onion Flakes
2. Onion Powder
3. Onion Salt
4. Scallions
5. Chopped Chives
6. Leeks
7. Fennel Bulb
8. Chopped Celery
9. Shallots
10. Garlic
11. Asafoetida Powder
12. Carrots
13. Bell Peppers
14. Black Salt
15. Cabbages
16. Calabash
17. Ginger And Garlic
18. Cumin Seeds And Melon Seeds

So, this is time to find out what you need to do with these replacements. After my post, you will be more confident in your ingenious ability to turn situations in the kitchen.

Did You Know These Fascinating Facts About Onions?

The onion (bulb onion or common onion) is a vegetable of the Allium family ⁽¹⁾. It can be used from raw to powder as a spice in foods. Its powder is made from dehydrated red, white, and yellow onions. You can buy them in the supermarket or other groceries.

It has a sweet and light taste and works well in many dishes, such as pasta, pizza, etc. Plus, onion is also a must-have spice in soups and salads. In addition, the smell of onions is pungent and strong. With just a pinch, it will add more depth to the taste of your dish.

Onion Substitute Ratios For Mind-Blowing Flavor Bursts

I have summarized all information about each type of alternative so that you can check and find out what you can use to replace onion. Then, keep reading and see the details of them in my next section.

Top 18 Alternatives For Onions That Will Save Your Recipes!

In case you do not have any onion in the pantry, you should look around to see if there are any other varieties of onion. The 18 replacements below will help you to retain the flavor of food. Sounds interesting, right? Keep reading to check the details of each one!

1. Onion Flakes

The first one you should not miss is onion flakes. As onion flakes are made with dehydrated onion, this spice boasts a similar taste to fresh onions. In fact, onion flakes’ highly concentrated flavor is guaranteed to boost the overall taste of your dish.

Wondering what dishes you can use onion flakes in? Salad, sauce, or pizza are the best accompaniment with onion flakes. You can also add onion flakes in dishes as dips, soups, stew, as well as salad dressing.

With this replacement, the best ratio is 3 tablespoons of onion flakes for 1 cup of onion in all recipes.

Time to make turkey meatballs for a cozy meal with onion flakes.

2. Onion Powder

Onion powder is also a familiar spice that you can find virtually everywhere. As this powder consists mainly of onion, its flavor closely resembles onions. This means that you can always opt for this ingredient when you don’t have fresh onions in your kitchen.

Onion powder is best suited for savory dishes such as soups, chili, meat rub, stews, etc. Featuring a hint of sweetness, onion powder can bring a flavor balance to your dish. Its sharp fragrance can also ensure that your dish is enticing to virtually anyone.

You should use a tablespoon of onion powder to replace a cup of chopped onion. Plus, you can increase the amount to suit your taste.

3. Onion Salt

This seasoning is a mixture of salt and dried ground onion in a ratio of 3:1. Because onion salt can blend well with other ingredients, you can improve your dish’s flavor without compromising its overall texture.

As its name indicates, this alternative does contain salt, meaning its flavor can be saltier than fresh onion. However, you can rest assured that onion salt still boasts a sharp fragrance and strong, pungent flavor that will lend an alluring bite to your dish.

Onion salt works well on vegetable dishes or as a seasoning for marinating. You can also add onion salt to stir-fries, as well as soups and stews. Use 2 tablespoons of onion salt for 1 cup of onion if you lack onion at that time.

4. Scallions

Also known as green onions or spring onions, scallions have a sharp, slightly spice taste that reminds you of onion. Although it’s not as strong as onions, its bulb and stalks can make a satisfactory substitute for onions.

When using scallions as an alternative, don’t forget to pay close attention to this vegetable as it can burn rather easily. Its spicy and peppery flavor makes scallions a fantastic addition to cucumber salad, soup, and stir-fried dishes.

Use the ratio of 3:1 for this replacement which is 3 tablespoons of scallions for a cup of onion.

5. Chopped Chives

Chives is a member of the Allium family which is the same genus as onion, particularly green onion. It has a pleasant aroma and an onion-like flavor, especially when eaten raw. Although its aftertaste is not as strong as onion, chopped chives can still make a decent substitute.

Chopped chives taste best when paired with savory dishes. You can use it as a garnish to recipes such as sauces, soups, stews, bread, or pasta. Another dish that you should try adding chives in is dumplings – try it, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

The best suggestion for you is to start with 3 tablespoons of chopped chives to replace a cup of chopped onion.

Watch this video to know more:

6. Leeks

Considering using leeks as an alternative for onions is not a bad option. Because leeks are in the same genus as onions, leeks have an oniony flavor with a pleasant hint of sweetness. Thanks to this, leeks can add complexity and an enticing flavor profile to your dish.

Once cooked, leeks gain a milder taste. Leeks are also suitable for various cooking methods, making it suitable for a wide range of dishes. This substitute can be used in dishes such as risottos, pasta, soups, as well as pizzas.

Using it frequently will also help you to prevent cancers and digestive illnesses. Also, the ratio for this situation is 1:1.

7. Fennel Bulb

Don’t have onions? Use a fennel bulb instead. Like an onion, this vegetable has an anise-like flavor. Its fragrant, warm smells and slight woody undertone can ensure that your dish will attract everyone, including the pickiest eaters.

Another reason you should try fennel bulbs is because they contain a lot of vitamin C – at 10.4mg in a cup ⁽²⁾. Plus, you can take advantage of its leaves to enhance the flavor of salads, soups, or even sauces.

1 – 1.5 cups of chopped fennel bulb is an ideal amount to exchange with a cup of chopped onion.

Learn how to cut fennel bulbs properly to create a greater plate of food than ever.

8. Chopped Celery

Celery boasts a crunchy texture and an aromatic flavor that can replace onions in almost any recipe. Celery also has a salty note and a slight pleasant bitterness, thus providing your dish a complex flavor profile.

Because celery shines with its mouth-watering crunchy texture, you should use this ingredient for making salads. With any soup or stew, do not forget to add 1 – 1.5 cups of chopped celery if 1 cup of onion is not available.

9. Shallots

Another option that you can interchange with onion is shallots. If you often make a stew or saute food, shallots are a must-have ingredient for perfect dishes.

Although shallots don’t have as strong flavors as onions, this substitute still boasts a note of sharpness. Its fragrant and sweet undertones, along with its garlicky flavors, make shallot one of the best substitutes for onions.

So don’t worry if shallots look different from onions, you can still use a 1:1 ratio with this substitute. To be specific, you can use a cup of chopped shallots to replace one cup of onions.

10. Garlic

Despite popular belief, garlic can be a good alternative for onion. Its earthy flavor and pleasant, spicy warmth is all that you need to boost your dishes. Another advantage of garlic is that it can be eaten both raw and cooked.

You can use garlic to prepare salad dressings, soups, stews, as well as making marinades. However, make sure you pay attention when preparing dishes with garlic, as it can burn rather easily.

For those who do not know, eating food with garlic can help to prevent heart diseases and improve your skin, memories, or bones, etc. This spice is a must-have ingredient for the base of soup or stew.

You should add 2 ⅓ cups of garlic for a cup of onion and taste the food to make it work well as a substitute.

11. Asafoetida Powder

Did you know that asafoetida powder is made from onion and garlic? This is why this spice is another fantastic choice to use as an onion substitute. Its pungent smell brings a special taste to various dishes, especially curries as well as vegetarian recipes.

Don’t be put off by asafeotida’s strong smell. Once this powder is added to cooked recipes, the fragrance diminishes significantly. So don’t be afraid to add asafoetida powder to your dishes, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Just with a small amount of asafoetida, you can feel a comforting onion-garlic flavor in your food after a bite. That is why you should not forget to add ⅚ teaspoon of asafoetida powder for 1 cup of minced onion.

12. Carrots

Strange as it may sound, carrots can be a decent substitute for onions. Although its flavor does not taste like onions, its crunchy texture does remind you of onion. So when you run out of onion, you can rely on this substitute to whip up stir-fried dishes, saute, or soups.

Besides, many experts recommend using carrots due to their benefits. This vegetable contains an amazing number of vitamins and nutrients that are good for health.

The natural flavor of carrots is a cross between sweet and bitter, so you should add some chopped celery with carrots to create a similar taste to onions. The recommended ratio is 2 cups of chopped carrots per 1 cup of onion.

Are you a fan of carrots? This best carrot soup will make you “crave”.

13. Bell Peppers

Because there are a wide variety of bell peppers, you can opt for different varieties depending on your needs and preferences. For instance, if you’re looking for substitutes with a sweet flavor, opt for yellow, red, or orange peppers.

Prefer something stronger with a bitter flavor? If that’s the case, green pepper will meet your needs. Its grassy undertone can also give a touch of complexity to your flavor profile.

All you need is to chop the peppers and add them to stir-fry food and saute recipes. With 1 cup of onion, it is better to substitute with 2 cups of bell peppers.

14. Black Salt

Black salt, or Himalayan black salt, is a kind of salt that is produced from Himalaya regions. This salt contains not only sodium chloride but also sulfur content.

Aside from its savory flavor, black salt has a pungent note that reminds you of onion. It has an umami hint that rounds out your dish’s flavors. Don’t be put off by its sulphur smell, its rich taste will blow your taste buds.

Black salt will make most Indian dishes and sauteed vegetables more delicious. You can begin to sprinkle some black salt to replace onion in emergencies.

Watch this video to know more:

15. Cabbages

One of the cheapest options that can replace onions is cabbages. Yes, you’re not reading this wrong. Although cabbage might not have the closest taste to onions, it can still be used in place of onions in various recipes surprisingly well.

When eaten raw, cabbages have a slight bitter flavor and a crunchy texture. Once cooked, cabbages can absorb the flavors of other ingredients, as well as various herbs or spices. As a result, cabbages can become incredibly flavorful if prepared correctly.

Besides, you can freely cook many dishes with this vegetable. The taste of cabbage is milder than onion, so add more thinly chopped cabbages to substitute onion in your dishes.

16. Calabash

Also called bottle gourd or long melon, calabash offers a milder taste compared to onions. This makes calabash a fantastic choice if you’re looking for something with a milder, more pleasant taste.

Boasting a juicy texture and a bitter flavor with a hint of sour notes, calabash might not taste exactly like onions. However, when you’re in a pinch, calabash can still do its job as an onion substitute. In fact, you might even prefer the enticing taste of calabash in your dish.

Calabash is a must-have ingredient for the curries and koftas of Indians. So next time you’re preparing Indian food and don’t have onion at home, do consider using calabash.

You can put chopped bottle gourd and increase the amount to meet your preferences.

17. Ginger And Garlic

When a single ingredient is not enough to bring you that onion flavor you’re looking for, you should consider combining ginger and garlic to use as an alternative. Combining ginger and garlic paste with a ratio of 1:1, along with a touch of thyme, will yield the best results.

Once combined together, this ginger and garlic mixture will have a slight peppery, spicy flavor with a mellow earthiness. This combination also offers a tender sweetness to lend your dish a more enticing flavor, allowing you to awe everyone with your cooking talents.

A tip for you is that you should not cook this mixture for too long because the ginger in the mixture can turn bitter if overcooked.

18. Cumin Seeds And Melon Seeds

What to do when you’re preparing some soups and realize you’ve run out of onions? Do not worry, let’s make a substitute with cumin and melon seeds!

To whip up this mixture, you will need to grind cumin and melon seeds together and combine them with plain yogurt. If you have coconut paste, you should add them to this combination to give the mixture a creamier, more luscious taste.

Although the flavor is quite different from onions, it works well to thicken the texture of the dish.

FAQs

There are so many exciting onion alternatives on my list, right? I have received many questions about this topic. So, I will share everything in this section.

Which Onion Alternative Works Well On Your Food?

With the onion substitutes mentioned above, hopefully, you will be able to whip up delicious dishes without compromising the flavors or textures. As for myself, I’ve found that all of these substitutes can do wonders, and no one ever notices the switch in ingredients.

Do you have any other ideas for onion substitutes? Have you ever tried one of the alternatives mentioned above? If so, what are the results? Let me know in the comment section! I can’t wait to hear from you.

References

1. Encyclopedia Britannica.. onion | plant.
2. Medicalnewstoday.com.. Fennel: Nutrition and benefits.