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

Which onion is the healthiest? ›

Red onions

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.

What do you do with winter onions? ›

Fall/Winter Onions Are:

Best uses: Caramelized, roasted, fried or any dish with a longer cook time.

What does eating 2 onions a day do? ›

Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that may reduce your risk of heart disease by fighting inflammation and lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels. They contain a large amount of quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that may help lower high blood pressure .

Can I freeze onions? ›

Not only do onions freeze exceptionally well, it truly is as easy as chopping them up and chucking them in the freezer. There is no need to cook them first, unless, of course, you'd like to be able to quickly add the depth of flavor that caramelized onions provide to a dish.

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 are the stringy onions called? ›

Green Onions/Scallions/Spring Onions

Green onions and scallions are two names for the same thing: bulb-less onion varieties that are harvested while the stems are still firm and the flavor is extra-mild. Spring onions have larger, bulbous ends and a more pronounced flavor.

What is the most versatile onion? ›

Characteristics: Round, with a thin brownish papery skin, yellow onions are the most common type of onion in the United States and are easily the most versatile cooking onion. Popular varieties include yellow globe onions and slightly larger, slightly sweeter Spanish onions. The two are interchangeable in recipes.

Which onion is a Superfood? ›

Improve Heart Health

2 Darker-colored onions, like red onions and chartreuse onions, contain the highest amounts of quercetin. Research from the American Chemical Society has also found that the "tearless onion" can help protect against heart disease.

Does onion burn belly fat? ›

Onions, especially the red ones, contain a flavnoid called quercetin, which is known to promote metabolism and help prevent the buildup of fat.

Which onion is best for hair growth? ›

Red onion. Yes, Red onion. Red onions have numerous benefits for your hair like growth, hair loss control and lots more. You are probably wondering how an onion – a common kitchen staple – can be used in hair and can in fact, be beneficial.

What are Japanese onions? ›

"Negi" (Japanese long onions including spring onion, green spring onion, and baby scallion) are a variety of long, thin onions with a characteristic sharp spiciness.

What happens if you leave onions in the ground over winter? ›

If it's a little too small going into winter, it can either be frozen out or you'll end up with a small bulb in the spring. If your onion is a little too big going into winter, then that's going to cause it to bolt prematurely when spring rolls around.

What does putting onions in cold water do? ›

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.

How do you compensate for too much onion? ›

Adding a touch of acidity, such as lemon juice or a splash of vinegar, can help cut through the richness of the onions. Additionally, adding sweeter ingredients like carrots, bell peppers, or even a pinch of sugar can help counterbalance the strong taste.

How do you preserve excess onions? ›

If you've held onto your onion a bit too long, or won't have time to use it before it goes bad, freezing is an option. Be sure to chop your onions before freezing, and store them as you would in the fridge, in an airtight container.

What can I do with a large bag of onions? ›

  1. Blooming Onion. Caitlin Bensel. ...
  2. One-Pot French Onion Pasta. Caitlin Bensel. ...
  3. Caramelized Onion Dip. Caitlin Bensel. ...
  4. Instant Pot French Onion Soup. Will Dickey. ...
  5. Brisket Tacos with Pickled Red Onion. Caitlin Bensel. ...
  6. Juicy Lucy. Caitlin Bensel. ...
  7. Ham and Cheese Frittata with Caramelized Onions. Con Poulos. ...
  8. Homemade French Onion Dip.
Jun 20, 2023

What can I do with extra onion sets? ›

If you have too many onion sets and storage isn't an option, here are some ways you could use them up instead of throwing them away: Try growing the onions in a pot or similar container if you've no bed space left. Offer them to a friend or loved one. Give them to a local gardening club or allotment.

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