35 Onion Recipes That Prove They Deserve To Be Front And Center (2024)

35 Onion Recipes That Prove They Deserve To Be Front And Center (1)

Not all onions are one size fits all, but all are incredibly delicious. Whether you've got shallots, scallions, or any variety of red or yellow onions, we've got you covered on recipes perfect for the onion-obsessed. Want tips on how to choose the best onion for your meal? We've got a handy guide to choosing the right onion types for any dish.

Caramelized, pickled, or fried, onions are some of our favorite ingredients to add to any dish. They lend brightness, spice, zip, and a sweet savoriness that's basically impossible to mimic. Having a jar of pickled red onions or caramelized onions on hand is a must in our kitchens, especially when it comes to topping tacos and burgers.

Onions are often stealing the show in our favorite meals. We could write entire poems about French onion soup and all the ways we love to eat this rich, umami-packed classic. Instead, we developed tons of ways to add the traditional flavor to appetizers, casseroles, even burgers. Our French onion mac and cheese, French onion chicken meatballs, and French onion chicken are sure to be some of your new favorite weeknight meals.

Green onions (a.k.a. scallions) are essentially immature onions that have yet to form a bulb. They are so much more than a garnish to our favorite Asian dishes or roasts, especially in scallion pancakes, tteokbokki, and pork and shrimp dumplings.

We can't even bring up onions without including mention of the crispy, crunchy bloomin' onion! Whether you prefer one that's baked or an air-fried bloomin' onions (or even bloomin' onion bites), you gotta make our take on Outback's sauce for endless dipping.

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1

Easy French Onion Soup

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Our version of the classic swaps in white wine (instead of red wine or sherry) and uses a combination of chicken and beef stock. The result? A slightly sweeter, but just as cozy spin on the rich, umami-packed soup.

Get the Easy French Onion Soup recipe.

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2

Fried Onions

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If green bean casserole is your favorite dish at Thanksgiving for its crunchy fried onions, we feel you. Top these easy fried onions on burgers, tacos—or eat them on their own. You might never buy the store-bought kind again.

Get the Fried Onions recipe.

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3

Sour Cream & Onion Dip

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Letting the onions caramelize properly is key to the flavor of this dip. Going low and slow lets them develop color while breaking down and becoming sweet and jammy. It will stay good in the fridge for a few days so it's great to make ahead of time!

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4

Baked Bloomin' Onion

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Pro tip: We recommend buying the biggest onions you can find to make this stunner. It will make your job of separating the layers easier. When pulling the slices apart, don't fret too much if some fall out. Just roast them alongside (or stick them back in!)

Get the Baked Bloomin' Onion recipe.

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5

French Onion Chicken Meatballs

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We think everything can be improved by just adding meatballs. Here, they turn a soup into a legit meal, and don't worry, we added even more cheese. Gruyère goes into the meatballs and then the whole thing gets topped with another layer before serving. And of course, there's plenty of caramelized onions.

Get the French Onion Chicken Meatballs recipe.

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6

Buttermilk Onion Rings

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Any kind of onions will work here, but we use Vidalia for a sweeter ring. Because salt can draw out water from the onions and make them sweat, we save salting for after the fry is done; this helps keep the batter stick to the onion versus your pot.

Get the Buttermilk Onion Rings recipe.

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7

Hamburger Steaks

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Hamburger steak is similar to Salisbury steak in that both are smothered in an onion and mushroom gravy. The main distinction? We keep the patty mixture simply seasoned and skip tomato paste and ketchup for a beefier bite.

Get the Hamburger Steaks recipe.

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8

Scallion Pancakes

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Scallion pancakes might be one of our favorite appetizers ever. Crispy, flaky, and with the *slightest* bit of chew, it's easy to polish off a whole plate in minutes.

Get the Scallion Pancakes recipe.

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9

Pickled Red Onions

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Meet one of our favorite staples. These couldn't be easier to make, and they instantly brighten up any meal (we love them on salads and tacos). Besides being incredibly crunchy, their beautiful pink color adds a visual pop to any bowl it graces.

Get the Pickled Red Onions recipe.

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10

French Onion Chicken

This recipe comes together in one skillet and in less than an hour, meaning it's way faster than French Onion Soup. Dunking good crusty bread into the extra pan sauce is highly encouraged.

Get the French Onion Chicken recipe.

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11

Savory Matzo Brei

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There are many things you can do with matzo, but matzo brei— matzo fried with eggs—is at the top of our list. Here, sweet and savory sautéed onions take this classic Passover breakfast up a notch with minimal effort.

Get the Savory Matzo Brei recipe.

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12

Caramelized Onions

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Caramelized onions are cooked low and slow until they're deeply golden and sweet. The onions will get jammy and become so addicting you'll be snacking right out of the pan before you top them on your burgers.

Get the Caramelized Onions recipe.

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13

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

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We know we've already made a baked Blooming Onion, but we couldn't resist trying it out in the air fryer too. Even after skipping the deep fry, this monster still comes out as endlessly dippable as ever.

Get the Air Fryer Blooming Onion recipe.

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14

Potato Kugel

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Think of this savory variety of a sweet noodle kugel as a giant latke. Grated onion and potato are combined to create a crispy, slightly sweet dish that's great on its own, but even better with a dollop of sour cream and/or applesauce.

Get the Potato Kugel recipe.

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15

Classic Green Bean Casserole

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To us, green bean casserole just might be better than turkey at the Thanksgiving table. Especially when it means loading on as many fried onions as we choose.

Get the Classic Green Bean Casserole recipe.

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16

French Dip Squares

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Turns out you don't need fancy ingredients to make the best party appetizer ever. These easy French dip squares are loaded with complex flavors (thanks caramelized onions!) AND will feed a hungry crowd. The perfect shortcut to a French dip sandwich, we'll be making these over and over and over again.

Get the French Dip Squares recipe.

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17

French Onion Rice

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Caramelized onions, buttery basmati rice, and melty Gruyère—what's not to like about this French onion rice dish? Serve it as a side alongside proteins like air fryer pork chops or creamy Tuscan chicken, or as a main all on its own.

Get the French Onion Rice recipe.

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18

Sheet-Pan Pork Chops With Apples

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Pork chops pair perfectly with apples and onions, a savory sweet combination that balances out the meat's richness. Glazed with a mustard-balsamic mixture, this will become your new favorite sheet-pan dinner.

Get the Sheet-Pan Pork Chops With Apples recipe.

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19

Baked Cream Cheese Pasta

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The famous Baked Feta Pasta is honestly perfect as-is, but we couldn't resist the urge to swap in cream cheese, and add bacon and onions. Just don't forget to save some pasta water before draining. That starchy water will bring the sauce together and help it stick to your noodles!

Get the Baked Cream Cheese Pasta recipe.

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20

Sausage & Peppers

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This dish is great on it's own, but it's even better in a hoagie roll, or on top of pasta with some marinara. Don't feel like turning on the oven? Check out these .

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35 Onion Recipes That Prove They Deserve To Be Front And Center (2024)

FAQs

What does onion do in recipes? ›

Onions taste great, and they look great, too. Their versatility allows them to add flavor and texture to soups, salsas, curries, and sauces. They can also act as toppers for entrees like chili, hot dogs, and red meat.

Which is an onion-based dish name? ›

From crispy onion rings, pakodas to zingy chutneys, relishes, curries, sandwiches, soups, salads and much more - there is just so much that can be done with this humble ingredient.

Why are onions so important in cooking? ›

Cooked onions give dishes a rich umami flavor and a subtle sweetness — you don't always know onions are there once the dish has been spiced and sauced, but you'd definitely miss them. Garlic is also important to these base flavors, and since it shares so many similarities to onions, we talk about them at the same time.

What is the tastiest onion? ›

Vidalia, Walla Walla, Cipollini varieties are inherently sweet onions. These varieties have become extremely popular and for good reason. They are good cooked but they are very mild and are excellent eaten raw. These varieties of onion have a thinner husk and therefore don't store as well as wintering onions.

Which onion has the most flavor? ›

White Onions: A stronger, spicier, more pungent flavour than yellow onions. More oniony, for lack of a better term, than yellow onions. They don't hold up as well when cooked, as they tend to fall apart. Red Onions: The salad onion.

What to do with half an onion? ›

36 Recipes To Make With That Leftover Onion
  1. 02 of 36. Caramelized Onion-And-Mushroom Quiche. ...
  2. 05 of 36. Beef Enchiladas. ...
  3. 08 of 36. Quick-Pickle Cucumbers And Onions. ...
  4. 11 of 36. Bacon-and-Sweet Onion Jam. ...
  5. 14 of 36. Hamburger Steak With Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy Recipe. ...
  6. 17 of 36. Zucchini-Onion Frittata.
Dec 8, 2023

Why do people put onions in water? ›

Onions - soaking in cold water to soften the flavor

When preparing raw onions, soak in cold water before hand to remove some of the pungency and soften the flavor. However since soaking too long will dilute the flavor, soaking in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes is recommended.

What is the name of a baby onion? ›

Pearl Onions

Characteristics: These very small onions can be white, yellow, or red; are valued for their sweet, delicate flavor; and are usually served as an accompaniment.

What is the new onion called? ›

Spring onions and green onions are both immature onions, but they are often called the same thing. Spring onions have a white, round bulb with long stems, and are also sold in bunches. Try spring onions thinly sliced in salads or added to stews, casseroles and soups.

What is onion mold called? ›

Background/History: Black mold of onions is a fungal disease. The scientific name of this pathogen is Aspergillus niger. It is found around the world, and it can affect many other crops.

Why do chefs break an onion? ›

Smashing an onion is said to be one of the fastest ways to peel an onion. And when you work fast around this sharp-smelling vegetable, you're also lessening the chances of you crying over your chopping board.

What are the 5 ways to eat onions? ›

They can be eaten raw, sautéed, roasted, marinated or grilled. Onions add layers of flavor and nutrition to your meals. Cooking with onions just got easier with this list: Use raw onion in salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, homemade salsas and relishes for unmatched flavor and crispness.

What is the healthiest way to eat onions? ›

Raw onions retain their full complement of vitamins and antioxidants, making them a slightly healthier option if you're looking to maximize your intake of nutrients. However, cooking onions can break down some of their hard-to-digest fibers, making them easier for some people to eat.

How many varieties of onions are there? ›

Onions are one of the largest plant genera with hundreds of different species, but 6 types of onions are most common for the home cook: yellow, white, sweet, red, shallots, and green onions.

What is the healthiest onion in order? ›

Red and yellow onions are richer in antioxidants than other types. In fact, yellow onions may contain almost 11 times more antioxidants than white onions ( 25 ). Cooking can significantly reduce levels of some antioxidants ( 26 ).

How many names of onions are there? ›

VarietiesColourSeason
Bhima ShaktiRedRabi
Bhima KiranLight redRabi
Bhima Light RedLight redRabi
Bhima ShubraWhiteKharif
14 more rows

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