Onions, a staple in kitchens worldwide, are versatile and flavorful root vegetables that come in various types. A key ingredient in mirepoix, these bulbous plants belong to the Allium family and are characterized by their distinct pungent aroma and taste. From the robust yellow to the mild shallot, each type brings its unique characteristics to the table. Read on to discover the most common types of onions and their applications.
Shop All OnionsList of Onion Types
Onions add flavor and depth to a wide range of dishes, from meaty stews to plant-based dishes. We made a list of different types of onions and their characteristics, so you can confidently incorporate them into your recipes.
1. Yellow Onions
Yellow onions are perhaps the most widely used type of onion in the culinary world. They have a strong, pungent flavor and a slightly sweet taste when cooked. Their high sulfur content gives them a bold flavor that makes them perfect for caramelizing or adding depth to soups, stews, and sauces. Yellow onions are also great for grilling or roasting, as they become soft and sweet when cooked. When in doubt, reach for yellow onions for your recipe.
- What Do Yellow Onions Look Like? Yellow onions feature a brown papery skin that peels away to reveal light yellow and semi-translucent flesh.
- What Do Yellow Onions Taste Like? Bold and assertive when raw, mild and sweet when cooked.
- How to Use Yellow Onions: Cooked in soups, stews, and sauces; can be grilled, roasted, or braised.
2. Sweet Onions
Sweet onions are known for their approachable sweetness. Some sweet onion varieties include Vidalia, Walla Walla, and Maui. These onions are often enjoyed raw in salads or used in dishes where their delicate flavor can shine, such as in types of salsa or sandwiches. Sweet onions are also popular for making onion rings, as their natural sweetness pairs well with the crispy batter. Additionally, the lower sulfur content in sweet onions makes them less likely to make you cry while cutting them.
- What Do Sweet Onions Look Like? Sweet onions have thin and golden skin. Their flesh is pale yellow, almost white.
- What Do Sweet Onions Taste Like? Mild sweetness with less of a bite than most onions when raw, sweet and soft when cooked.
- How to Use Sweet Onions: Raw on salads, salsa, and sandwiches; can be fried, roasted, or caramelized.
Sweet Onions vs Yellow Onions
The difference between sweet onions and yellow onions comes down to their flavor profile. Yellow onions have a higher sulfur content than sweet onions, which gives them their distinctive pungent taste. They are commonly used in savory cooked dishes like soups, stews, and stir-fries. Sweet onions, on the other hand, have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to their yellow counterparts and are more suitable for raw recipes like salads and sandwiches.
3. Red Onions
Red onions are known for their vibrant color, mild flavor, and appealing crunch. They have a slightly sweet and tangy taste, making them a popular choice for adding a pop of color and flavor to salads, sandwiches, and pickled dishes. Their beautiful purple hue makes them an attractive garnish as well.
- What Do Red Onions Look Like? Red onions are wrapped in a deep-red papery skin. Their flesh is a deep maroon on the outside of the rings and a purplish-white on the inside.
- What Do Red Onions Taste Like? Pungent and peppery when raw, mild sweetness when cooked.
- How to Use Red Onions: Raw on salads, sandwiches, and ceviche; can be grilled, roasted, or pickled.
Red Onions vs Yellow Onions
The difference between red and yellow onions lies in their appearance, taste, and culinary applications. Red onions have a vibrant purple-red hue, while yellow onions have a golden yellow skin. In terms of flavor, red onions are milder and slightly sweeter, making them a great choice for raw dishes like salads or salsas. On the other hand, yellow onions have a stronger, more pungent taste, which makes them ideal for cooking and adding depth of flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
4. White Onions
White onions are what most will picture when they think of onions. It has that classic white outer layer and white flesh. The flavor of white onions is similar to that of yellow onions but with less of an aftertaste and more sweetness. They have a crisp texture and are often used in Mexican and Latin American cuisine, where their flavor can complement spicy dishes or salsas. White onions are also commonly used in raw preparations such as ceviche or pico de gallo.
- What Do White Onions Look Like? White onions feature a white skin with occasional green streaks radiating from the top. The flesh is white and nearly translucent.
- What Do White Onions Taste Like? Crisp and zingy with a sharp crunch when raw, mild and sweet when cooked.
- How to Use White Onions: Raw in prepared salads, salsa, and guacamole; can be grilled, sauteed, or stewed for soups.
White Onions vs Yellow Onions
The difference between white and yellow onions is in their taste and texture. White onions have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to yellow onions, making them a great choice for dishes where you want a subtle onion taste. Yellow onions have a stronger, more pungent flavor, making them ideal for adding a bold kick to savory recipes. Additionally, white onions have a crisp, crunchy texture, while yellow onions are softer and tend to caramelize more easily when cooked.
Red Onions vs White Onions
When comparing the difference between red and white onions, their appearance and taste set them apart. Red onions have a vibrant, purplish-red skin and a mild, sweet flavor. They are often used raw in salads or salsas, as their color adds a pop of brightness to dishes. White onions have a papery white skin and a sharper, more pungent taste. They are commonly used in cooked dishes, such as soups or stir-fries, where their flavor can stand up to other ingredients.
5. Shallots
Shallots are a member of the onion family but have a more delicate and subtle flavor. They have a mild onion taste with hints of garlic and are often used in French cuisine to add flavor to sauces, dressings, and vinaigrettes. Shallots are small and similar in shape to a garlic clove. It can be minced and added raw to dishes or cooked to enhance the flavor of the recipe.
- What Do Shallots Look Like? Shallots are a bulb-shaped allium that looks similar to a garlic clove. It had pinkish-purple skin, and light purple and white flesh.
- What Do Shallots Taste Like? Peppery when raw, sweet and garlicky when cooked.
- How to Use Shallots: Raw in dressing and vinaigrettes; can be pickled, caramelized, or roasted.
Shallot vs Onion
While both shallots and onions belong to the allium family, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. The difference between shallots and onions is that shallots are smaller in size and have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions. They also have a subtle hint of garlic, making them a popular choice in French cuisine. Onions are larger and have a stronger, more pungent flavor. They are versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes, from soups and stews to stir-fries and salads.
6. Scallions
Scallions, also known as green onions, have a mild flavor with a hint of sharpness. Scallions are actually young onions that have been harvested early. The green shoots and small white bulbs are both edible. Often a staple of Asian cuisine, green onions are commonly used as a garnish for dishes such as soups, salads, stir-fries, and curries. Scallions can also be grilled or roasted whole to bring out their natural sweetness.
- What Do Scallions Look Like? Scallions have long and thin green shoots that spring from the top of a small white bulb.
- What Do Scallions Taste Like? Peppery and grassy green shoots, pungent and sweet white bulb.
- How to Use Scallions: Raw as a garnish for soup, dips, and stir-fry; can be sauteed, roasted, or grilled.
Scallions vs Green Onions
Scallions and green onions are the same vegetable, just labeled under different names. Scallions are often referred to as “green onions” since they are harvested before the onion fully matures. Scallions have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to their fully-grown counterparts. They are typically used in a variety of culinary applications, adding a subtle onion flavor to dishes such as salads, dips, and soups.
7. Leeks
Leeks are another member of the onion family with a milder and sweeter flavor compared to other onions. Raw leeks are too tough to eat, but when cooked, they become tender and sweet, adding a world of flavor to recipes. They have a subtle onion taste with a hint of garlic and are often used in soups, stews, and quiches. Leeks can be sauteed, braised, or roasted to bring out their unique flavor.
- What Do Leeks Look Like? Leeks have a white cylindrical stalk with green leaves fanning out from the top.
- What Do Leeks Taste Like? Tender and sweet with a subtle onion and garlic flavor when cooked.
- How to Use Leeks: Braised in stock, roasted for soup, or sauteed in stir-fries.
Leeks vs Green Onions
Leeks and green onions are both versatile and flavorful members of the onion family. While they may look similar, there are some key differences between the two. Leeks have a milder, sweeter taste compared to green onions, making them a popular choice for soups and stews. They have a larger, cylindrical shape with a white bulb and long green leaves. Scallions have a more pungent flavor and are often used as a garnish or in salads. They are smaller in size and consist of a white bulb and thin green stalks.
Onions FAQs
We answer some of the most common questions about onions below:
How to Store Onions
There are a few methods you can use to store onions to ensure they stay fresh for longer. The best way to store onions is in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. You can either store them in a mesh bag or a wire basket, allowing air to circulate around them. For proper produce storage, avoid storing onions near potatoes or other fruits and vegetables that release moisture, as this can cause them to spoil faster.
Best Onion for Grilling
When it comes to grilling, not all onions are created equal. Some onions hold up better on the grill, adding a delicious smoky flavor to your dishes. The best onions for grilling include red onions, Vidalia onions, and sweet onions. These onions have a high sugar content, which caramelizes beautifully when grilled, resulting in a sweet and savory flavor profile. Their firm texture also holds up well during the grilling process, making them perfect for skewers or adding to burgers.
With their diverse flavors and uses, the various types of onions offer chefs and cooks a wide range of options to enhance their culinary creations. Whether you're looking for bold flavor while making onion blossoms or a subtle hint of sweetness in a classic potato and leek soup, there's an onion variety out there to suit your menu.
