Best Red Onion Substitute (Plus 10 More Onion Substitutes)

Run out of red onion halfway through a recipe? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common ingredients to be missing from the fridge, and the good news is you almost certainly have something in the kitchen right now that will do the job.

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Shallots are the closest match for flavour and colour, but they’re not the only option. Below you’ll find the best red onion substitute for cooked dishes and raw ones, plus swaps for 10 other onion varieties, from pearl onions to onion powder, each with the ratio to use.

Red Onion Substitute: Quick Comparison

Substitute	Flavour match	Best used in	Swap ratio
Shallots	Closest match, milder and sweeter	Raw dishes, dressings, salsas	Use half the amount of red onion called for
White or yellow onion	Stronger, more savoury	Cooked dishes, sauces, stews	1:1, but expect a longer cooking time
Garlic	Sharper, no sweetness	Marinades, dressings, dips	Use sparingly, about a quarter of the volume
Green onions (scallions)	Milder, fresher	Garnishes, salads, toppings	1:1, using the white and pale green parts

The Best Red Onion Substitute

If you’re out of red onion and need something close to the real thing, shallots are the best swap. They have a mild, oniony flavour that’s less pungent than red onion, so use only about half the amount the recipe calls for or the flavour can take over.

Minced garlic can also stand in for red onion’s punch, depending on the dish and how it’s being used. For a milder result, white or yellow onion works too, though it takes a little longer to caramelise and won’t bring the same sweetness or colour that red onion does.

10 More Onion Substitutes for Any Recipe

1. Garlic

Garlic is a close relative of onion and brings a similar savoury depth without being as strong. It’s also less likely to make your eyes water when you’re chopping, which is a welcome bonus.

2. Leeks

Leeks are another member of the onion family, with a flavour that’s noticeably milder than most onions. Use them in any recipe that calls for onion, or slice them raw into salads and sandwiches.

3. Shallots

Shallots have a sweeter, more delicate flavour than most onions, which makes them useful both as a direct swap and as a garnish for soups or roasted vegetables. For the full ratio breakdown when swapping in for red onion specifically, see the comparison table near the top of this post.

4. Green Onions

Also known as scallions, green onions have a lighter flavour than most other onion varieties. They work well cooked into a dish or eaten raw as a garnish over soup or salad.

5. Chives

Chives bring a mild oniony note without overwhelming a dish. They’re best used raw, sprinkled over soup, salad, or anything that could use a fresh, herby finish.

6. Ramps

Ramps are wild onions with a stronger flavour than most cultivated varieties, so use them sparingly. Cooking them first will mellow the flavour before adding them to the rest of the dish.

7. Fennel Bulb

Fennel isn’t technically an onion, but it shares a similar aromatic quality and works well as a substitute in many recipes. It’s a familiar ingredient in Italian cooking and can be eaten raw or cooked.

8. Cipollini Onion

Cipollini onions are small, with a sweet and mellow flavour. Use them anywhere a recipe calls for onion, or serve them raw as a garnish on soup or salad.

9. Pearl Onion

Pearl onions bring a similar sweetness to cipollini and work well either cooked into a dish or served raw. For more detail on swapping these specifically, see the pearl onion section below.

10. Radishes

Radishes are a root vegetable rather than a true onion substitute, but their sharp, peppery bite can stand in for onion in salads and other dishes where the flavour won’t overpower everything else.

Dried Onion, Onion Powder, and Onion Flake Substitutes

Dried onion: Dried chives, garlic powder, shallots, or green onions all work well here. As a rough guide, one teaspoon of dried onion can be replaced with two teaspoons of dried chives or one clove of garlic, plus a pinch of salt to round out the flavour.

Onion powder: If you have fresh onion on hand, dice and dehydrate it at a low heat in the oven for a homemade version. Otherwise, dried minced onion or garlic powder will do the job, and celery seed brings a similar, milder note if you want something different. Shallots can also be substituted for onion powder in a pinch.

Onion flake: Milder options like spring onion, chives, or leeks work well, as do dried alternatives such as onion powder, granulated garlic, or a blend of oregano and basil. All of these are easy to find in a standard supermarket spice aisle.

Onion Salt Substitute

If a recipe calls for onion salt and you’re out, finely chopped fresh onion or shallots will bring a similar oniony flavour without needing to reach for a separate seasoning blend. Dehydrated onion granules are another option, and they measure out easily alongside other dry seasonings.

Powdered garlic works too, adding a subtle depth in place of onion salt. Store-bought blends like French onion dip mix can also stand in, just account for the extra liquid if you’re replacing something dry.

Pearl Onion Substitute

Shallots are the most popular pearl onion swap, thanks to a similar sweetness and soft texture once cooked. Diced white or yellow onion also works, though the flavour will be stronger than the original.

Red onion can be used too, and it brings a brighter colour to the finished dish. Whichever you choose, sauté briefly in butter or oil until just softened before adding it to the recipe, so the texture stays close to that of a true pearl onion.

Spring Onion Substitute

Out of spring onions? Chives are the easiest swap, so add a tablespoon or two for that familiar summery onion flavour. For something milder, finely diced celery brings a similar crunch and freshness.

Green onions are also a solid stand-in if you don’t mind a slightly different flavour profile. Whichever option you pick, the goal is the same fresh, sharp note spring onion normally adds.

What to Use If You’re Allergic to Onion

An onion allergy can feel limiting given how often onion shows up in everyday cooking, but there are good options that keep dishes flavourful. Garlic is one of the best substitutes, since it shares similar flavour notes but is much gentler for sensitive stomachs.

Ramp bulbs bring a garlicky taste without looking or behaving like garlic, and shallots are another mild option worth trying. For the most reliable results, chives offer a similar texture and herby note without triggering the same reaction that onion can cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best substitute for red onion? Shallots are the closest match in flavour, though milder, so use about half the amount called for. White or yellow onion also works well but takes slightly longer to soften and won’t add the same pink-red colour.

Can I use yellow onion instead of red onion? Yes. Yellow onion has a stronger, more savoury flavour than red onion, so it works best in cooked dishes rather than raw applications like salads, where red onion’s milder bite and colour matter more.

What can I use if I’m out of onions entirely? Garlic is the closest substitute for flavour depth, and leeks work well in cooked dishes for a milder onion taste. For raw applications, finely chopped celery or fennel can stand in for crunch and aromatics without an oniony taste.

Continue Your Journey

• Need a swap for a different vegetable? The mushroom substitute guide covers 14 options for soups, stroganoff, and pasta.
• Got leftover onions instead of a shortage? Here are 8 things to do with onions before they go soft.
• For garlic powder, onion powder, and every other spice swap, see the ultimate spice substitute guide.
• Cooking with artichokes instead? Check the artichoke substitute guide for the best swaps there too.

Pin this for the next time a recipe calls for onion and yours has gone soft in the drawer.