26 Savory Onion Recipes (2024)

Not only are onions the perfect foundation for just about any savory recipe, they also shine in starring roles. Fry them up into glorious, golden onion rings, roast and puree them to make a killer salad dressing, or caramelize them and load them into cheese sandwiches or onto pizza. There is no wrong way to use the almighty onion. Here are our favorite sweet-salty, onion-centric recipes that make foolproof side dishes and main courses.

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French Onion Chicken Pot Pie

26 Savory Onion Recipes (1)

We took the best parts of French onion soup and chicken pot pie and brought them together in one savory and delicious dish. Roasted and shredded chicken thighs form the base of the pie, along with the deeply caramelized onions and carrots that lend some sweet notes to the dish.

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02of 26

Baked Onions with Fennel Breadcrumbs

26 Savory Onion Recipes (2)

These simple, incredibly flavorful onions from chef Nancy Silverton are baked in the oven until they're falling-apart tender. Fennel seeds punch up the crispy breadcrumb topping.

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03of 26

Caramelized Five-Onion Dip

26 Savory Onion Recipes (3)

A mix of five alliums — shallots, scallions, and sweet, yellow, and red onions — upgrades this classic caramelized onion dip with layers of flavor. Yellow and red onions give it bite, while Vidalia onion and shallots lend a pleasant sweetness.

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04of 26

Mixed Onion Agrodolce

26 Savory Onion Recipes (4)

The combination of shallots, cipollini onions, and pearl onions delivers a lovely contrast of shapes and texture; feel free to simplify by using just one type of onion. Dried plums add a jammy sweetness and make this dish a perfect pairing for rib roast or turkey.

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05of 26

Rib Eye with Charred Spring Onions and Salsa Verde

26 Savory Onion Recipes (5)

For this recipe, chef Hillary Sterling makes a sweet, tangy marinade to tenderize the meat and add intense flavor to the skillet-seared steak. A drizzle of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens up the smoky, umami-rich steak alongside an herb-packed salsa verde and juicy spring onions.

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06of 26

Cobb Salad with Roasted Sweet Onion Dressing

26 Savory Onion Recipes (6)

Everything you love about a Cobb salad is taken to the next level with a roasted garlic and onion vinaigrette. Chef Sean Doty roasts sweet Vidalia onion and garlic until they are lightly charred, then purees them to make the apple cider vinaigrette that gives this Cobb salad its tang and depth of flavor.

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Free-Form Onion Tart

26 Savory Onion Recipes (7)

When she was the cooking school director at Cavallo Point, chef Kelsie Kerr taught the basics of preparing seasonal recipes. The buttery dough for her savory onion tart, for instance, is great with all kinds of fillings, like fruit.

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08of 26

Pork Medallions with Onion Marmalade

26 Savory Onion Recipes (8)

This recipe from superstar chef Massimo Bottura is simpler than the food he now cooks at his avant-garde three-star Michelin restaurant, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. Still, it’s incredibly delicious: The savory marmalade made by cooking onions in butter and sugar is intensely rich in flavor.

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09of 26

Crispy Onion Rings

26 Savory Onion Recipes (9)

"There's nothing better than a simple tempura of a primo vegetable," says chef Peter Hoffman. For this sensational version, he coats thick onion rings in an ultralight batter and quickly fries them.

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10of 26

Onion Jam and Goat Cheese Rugelach

26 Savory Onion Recipes (10)

Originating in Eastern Europe, recipes for rugelach evolved after landing in America. The crescent-shaped cookies are typically layered with jam and chopped nuts and topped with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, but the dough makes a surprisingly compatible home for savory fillings. These are spread with a thick homemade onion jam flavored with balsamic vinegar, sumac, and coriander.

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11of 26

Gorgonzola-Roasted Mushrooms and Onions

26 Savory Onion Recipes (11)

For this simple six-ingredient recipe, mushrooms and onions roast for about 30 minutes before they're tossed with fresh thyme, topped with Gorgonzola, and returned to the oven to melt the cheese.

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12of 26

French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

26 Savory Onion Recipes (12)

Former F&W food editor Grace Parisi reinvented the classic grilled cheese sandwich with this version, which emulates the gooey, cheesy top of a bowl of French onion soup. Give yourself time to cook the onions slowly; caramelized onions take almost an hour to achieve their sweet flavor and melty texture, but are worth the wait.

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13of 26

Slow-Roasted Sweet Onions with "Licorice" Powder

26 Savory Onion Recipes (13)

One of chef Michel Bras' favorite garnishes is a sweet-savory combination of ground almonds, dehydrated olives, and demerara sugar (a coarse, raw cane sugar with a subtle molasses flavor); the taste reminds him of licorice. Here it serves as a topping for buttery-soft, slow-roasted whole onions.

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Vidalia Onion Soufflés

26 Savory Onion Recipes (14)

This recipe, which is a bit lighter and airier than the traditional Southern onion soufflé, can be prepared in individual gratin dishes or in one big baking dish.

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15of 26

Pull-Apart Cheesy Onion Bread

26 Savory Onion Recipes (15)

This recipe is as fun to eat as monkey bread (little balls of yeast dough that are baked in a pan together, then pulled apart at the table) but a lot less time-consuming to make. We spread buttery biscuit dough with a savory onion-Gruyère mixture, stack layers of it sideways in a loaf pan, then bake it until golden and fluffy.

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16of 26

Cheddar and Onion Smashed Burgers

26 Savory Onion Recipes (16)

Inspired by the sliders at White Manna in Hackensack, New Jersey, Umami Burger founder Adam Fleischman creates beef patties by flattening balls of ground meat on the griddle.

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17of 26

Pearl Onions au Gratin

26 Savory Onion Recipes (17)

Inspired by the pickled pearl onions that became a family tradition ("Mom just served them straight out of the jar and threw a toothpick at them"), chef Barbara Lynch bakes fresh pearl onions in a mixture of cream, garlic, shallots, and bacon, then tops it all with a crispy panko crust.

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18of 26

Garlicky Mushroom-Onion Toasts

26 Savory Onion Recipes (18)

Grilling guru Francis Mallmann is a master of efficiency. Here, he creates a delicious first course using only a cast-iron skillet, first toasting the bread in it, then quickly searing the mushroom, onion, and garlic toppings right after.

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19of 26

Caramelized Red Onion Rice with Tamarind

26 Savory Onion Recipes (19)

In Fresh India, cookbook author Meera Sodha uses sweet-and-sour tamarind paste to turn plain rice into a show-stealing side. The tamarind is essential here; find it at well-stocked grocery stores and Indian markets.

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20of 26

Focaccia with Caramelized Onions, Pear, and Blue Cheese

26 Savory Onion Recipes (20)

Pear and blue cheese are a classic pairing. This simple focaccia adds sweet caramelized onions and comes together in just four steps.

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21of 26

French Onion Soup with Roasted Poblanos

26 Savory Onion Recipes (21)

At Tzuco, in Chicago, the French onion soup arrives to the table piping hot, topped with a bubbling layer of Gruyère cheese. Hiding under the blanket of cheese, a thick slice of baguette soaks up a soup suffused with flavor from a mountain of jammy onions, balsamic vinegar, and bay leaves.

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22of 26

Fennel and Sweet Onion Pizza with Green Olives

26 Savory Onion Recipes (22)

At Harry's Pizzeria, Miami chef Michael Schwartz uses brown ale and whole-wheat flour to flavor his chewy crust. Toppings can range from potato and house-cured bacon to this pie, made with Pernod-braised fennel, caramelized onions, and Trugole, a semisoft Italian cheese that melts beautifully.

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23of 26

Grilled Peach, Onion, and Bacon Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

26 Savory Onion Recipes (23)

The secret to this salad is using big, juicy sweet onions like the Vidalias that chef Linton Hopkins favors, which get nicely charred on the grill.

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24of 26

Grilled Pepper and Onion Panzanella with Peperoncini Vinaigrette

26 Savory Onion Recipes (24)

Cookbook author Molly Stevens' panzanella uses grilled sweet peppers and red onion in place of tomatoes as the centerpiece of this dinner salad. The charred vegetables are tossed with cubes of grilled bread, drizzled with a peperoncini vinaigrette, and topped with creamy feta and crisp slices of peperoncini, which add pops of flavor and contrasting texture.

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25of 26

Chicken Livers with Caramelized Onions and Madeira

26 Savory Onion Recipes (25)

Rich-tasting caramelized onions combined with Madeira make a spectacular sauce for chicken livers. Serve with rice or over toast so you won't miss a single drop.

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26of 26

Frothy Lettuce Soup with Onion Custard

26 Savory Onion Recipes (26)

This stunning recipe calls for a head of Boston lettuce per person, resulting in a soup with pure, intense flavors that is then poured over a delicate custard. It's a riff on petit* pois à la française, the classic French dish of peas, lettuce, and spring onions braised in butter and chicken stock.

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26 Savory Onion Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest onion to eat? ›

All types of onions are good for you, but this dark reddish-purple variety, sometimes called purple onion, has especially high levels of quercetin and other helpful plant compounds known as flavonoids. Flavonoids give many fruits, vegetables, and flowers their colors.

How long do onions last in the fridge? ›

How long onions last depends on where they've been stored. Cooper says that in the refrigerator, peeled onions will last 10 to 14 days and chopped onions will last for seven to 10 days. While the refrigerator is not the best place to store whole onions, Cooper says they will generally last there for two months.

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 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 does eating 2 onions a day do? ›

Onions are high in vitamin C, which may help regulate your immune health, collagen production, and iron absorption. It's also a powerful antioxidant that could help protect your cells from unstable, damaging molecules called free radicals.

Can I freeze onions? ›

Even though onions are freezer-friendly, stick to using them in cooked dishes rather than salads, because their texture will inevitably be different. Frozen onions will retain their flavor for 3-6 months — they're likely still good past that, but they won't be as potent.

Why don't I eat onions at night? ›

Ever suffer from heartburn or reflux? Then you better skip the raw onions at your next late-night summer BBQ. Yes, your partner will thank you as you go in for a bedtime kiss—and your body will, too. Onions are known to cause gas, reflux, and bloating—all of which can mess with your sleep.

Is there a downside to eating onions? ›

While onions offer many health benefits, consuming an excess amount can lead to gastrointestinal distress, such as irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux. Although onions are quite safe to consume, rarely they may harm your health if you have any underlying health conditions or when you consume them in excess.

Is onion good for the lungs? ›

The onion bulb is commonly eaten as food. Onion bulb and extract are also used to make medicine. Onion contains chemicals that seem to reduce swelling and lung tightness related to asthma.

Why are you not supposed to refrigerate onions? ›

In case of refrigerating peeled onions, the moisture and cold temperature inside the fridge can make them lose their crunch and turn soggy, which makes way for pathogens to develop and this reduces the nutrient level and leads to bacterial growth.

How to tell if onions are bad? ›

Spoiled onions may develop dark spots, which will eventually begin to grow mold. You'll also want to avoid onions that have started sprouting, as this indicates they're beginning to go bad. You can also feel your onions to check how fresh they are. Onions with soft or mushy spots are starting to go bad.

Can onions and potatoes be stored together? ›

Answer. The storage guidelines for potatoes, onions, and garlic are similar in that they all can be stored in a cool, dry, dark and ventilated area, however, potatoes should not be stored with onions because they emit ethylene gas which speeds ripening and hastens potatoes to sprout and spoil.

How many onion varieties are there? ›

List of Allium species; Allium is the onion genus, with 600-920 species, making it one of the largest plant genera in the world.

What are the famous varieties of onions? ›

VarietiesColourRegion
Bhima RajDark RedGujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra
Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan
Bhima Dark RedDark RedChhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu
Bhima ShaktiRedGujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra
14 more rows

What is the best all purpose onion? ›

The most commonly used onions are yellow onions, which are also called brown onions because of their thick brown skin. They work in almost anything, which is why they're often referred to as all-purpose onions. If you don't know which to use or the store doesn't have the type you need, these are the safest alternative.

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