Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Red onion is a staple in the kitchen. It is considered a versatile vegetable for it can be roasted, sautéed or sliced and added to sandwiches. You can find red onions in most grocery stores. However, if it is not available or you don’t have it, you can always find substitute it with other vegetables.
What is the Substitute for Red Onion?
Almost all onions you have at home – White onion, shallots, green onions, onion juice, leeks, or some of the following are the best alternatives to red onion.
Best Substitute for Red Onion That Taste Great
The following 10 ingredients can be used as a substitute for red onion and yield great results.
1. White onion
It is a great substitute for red onions because you can use it in the same manner and it will not alter your dish’s flavor.
White onions tend to be milder and less acidic than red onions, making them a great choice if you don’t like the strong flavor of red onions.
You may use it for roasting, sautéing, and consuming raw in salads and guacamole. Using this will give you the same results as red onion.
2. Shallots
Shallots, which are smaller onions, are often used in making sauces and are known for their intricate flavor.
However, they barely have onion flavor, which is why they are a good substitute for those who don’t like the overpowering flavor in red onions.
When substituting red onion with shallots, they can be cut and sautéed, but they can also be eaten raw. Shallots can be used in different recipes
3. Green onions
Also known as scallions, green onions are popular in Chinese cuisine.
They can either be cooked or eaten raw, making them an excellent substitute for red onions. They are slightly acidic, but not as strong as red onions. Nevertheless, they are incredibly versatile.
The white bottom part is better for cooking or sautéing, thus can be substituted in stir-fries and other dishes that call for red onions. The top green part, which has a mild flavor, is usually used for garnish and in salads.
Green onions should not be roasted or used for guacamole. However, it can be cut and sautéed, and used as a garnish in place of red onions.
4. Leeks
Leeks are a great substitute for red onions in cooked dishes because they taste better cooked than raw. They can be cut in the same manner as onions and used for sautéing, in sauces, and stir-fries.
Because they have a delicate flavor, leeks are very popular. Leeks also have garlicky tones, which enhances your food.
5. Chives
Instead of using red onions, chives work better because of their slightly strong flavor, which are not on the same level as onions. However, unlike leeks, you can eat chives raw.
Chives can also be used to garnish dishes, especially eggs, or in sauces and dressings. They add fresh flavor to any dish, and they are perfect for sandwiches and salads.
Instead of using red onions, chop up the chives and then add them to any dish to give them some extra color or flavor.
6. Onion juice
You can use onion juice for the onion flavor in sauces or to add flavor to condiments such as guacamole. It can also be added to cooked dishes for more flavor.
It is possible to either make your own juice and store it or can buy onion juice. This will give your dish an onion-like flavor, without the need to use actual onions. However, it is not recommended to use in salads and sandwiches.
7. Onion powder
Onion powder is a common seasoning found in the pantry. It can instantly add onion flavor to any dish.
It can be used in cooked dishes. But it cannot be used as a substitute for red onions in French onion soup. It can also be used in dressings but not in salads.
You can substitute red onion for onion powder by starting with half a teaspoon of onion powder. Then, add more onion powder as needed depending on how strong your onion flavor needs to be.
8. Garlic
While garlic is different from red onion, it can be used to enhance the flavor of your food. That is something you can use garlic for instead of red onion.
For a wonderful flavor, add garlic to soups, sauces, and stir-fries. Plus, garlic can be added to salad dressings or guacamole. But, it is best to cook them, or it will overwhelm the rest of your ingredients.
9. Celery
Celery can be used to replace onions, or if you don’t like the flavor of red onion. It is often used in cooking alongside onions to make sauces. Therefore, you can use celery in cooked dishes instead of onion.
Another great thing about celery is that you can eat it raw because of its mild flavor and crunch. So, using celery is an excellent choice when being added to salads and sandwiches as a substitute for red onion.
10. Fennel
Similar to celery, this is a great substitute for red onion.
When raw, fennel can have a licorice taste. Fennel resembles onion when cooked, so you can use it for both. Plus, fennel can be sliced thinly and added to salads. Or you can roast and sauté the fennel in your dishes, adding great flavor.
Fennels are milder in flavor, so they can be used in many recipes. However, fennel is not recommended to use in guacamole as it can alter the flavor.
Substitute for Red Onion in Guacamole
White onions, shallots and onion powder are great substitutes for red onion in guacamole. They have similar consistency and add onion flavor to the dish.
FAQs on Red Onion Substitutes
Can I use regular onion instead of green onion?
Regular onions (yellow or white) can be used to replace red onions in any recipe.
They are both milder in flavor. Thus, they won’t be as overwhelming. You can use them to be sautéed, baked, or eaten raw.
Can white onions be used in salads instead of red?
You can substitute white onion with red in salads, and the flavor will still be great. Also, there is the option to use green onions or shallots.
Can I substitute red onion for green onions?
Green onion can be substituted for red onions in many dishes, especially stir-fries and quiches.
The lower white part of green onions is easier to cook and can be chopped in the same manner as onion and sautéed. Then the green top can be eaten raw and used as a garnish on dishes and salads.
Can I substitute red onion with shallots?
You can use shallots instead of red onions. Shallots have a milder, more delicate flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Sauté shallots in olive oil and then use them to make sauces. Or you can cut them into thin slices and put them in sandwiches or salads. Shallots can be used in a variety of ways, just like red onions.
