Onion powder is a staple in so many kitchens across America. It packs a flavor punch and gives your palate an amazing experience. If you use onion powder every day and have run out of it unexpectedly, you don’t need to rush to the store if you have a great onion powder substitute handy.
Here’s what you need to know about some great alternatives to onion powder and what dishes they work best in.
What Is Onion Powder?
Onion powder is an ingredient you can use in different kinds of savory recipes to add a smacking flavor to your dishes.
It is a seasoning agent used in a number of dishes including vegetables, meat, salad dressings, seafood, and other spice blends.
Although not exactly as versatile as fresh onions, onion powder does have quite the concentrated flavor. Onion powder is hassle-free and often regarded as a better appetizing agent than onions.
It also has a longer shelf life than fresh onions, making onion powder a pantry essential.
13 Onion Powder Substitutes
If you’re used to using onion powder and suddenly run out of it, your dish might not get that burst of flavor you always enjoy. Fret not. There are so many alternatives that can be used as an onion powder substitute.
Here is a list of kitchen items that work.
#1. Onion Flakes
One of the best and easiest options when substituting onion powder is onion flakes.
They have more texture than onion powder and don’t add any extra moisture to your dish while retaining the consistency you prefer. Simply grinding the flakes into powder will suffice.
You can substitute the same quantity of onion flakes as you would with onion powder.
#2. Jarred Minced Onion
Jarred minced onion resembles onion flakes, given it’s dried. It is a tad coarser than onion powder but can be substituted in the same quantity for dishes like a salad or stir-fry.
#3. Granulated Onion
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An even finer version of onion flakes and jarred minced onion, but not as fine as onion powder, granulated onions can also work as an excellent substitute for onion powder.
It is made of dehydrated chopped onions and is easily available in stores.
#4. Fresh Onion
This is hands-down the healthiest choice you can go for.
Chop up the onions as you please and use them for your dish. But make sure you’re only using them in dishes that won’t be too affected by the moisture from the fresh onions.
#5. Onion Salt
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Onion salt is simply a mixture of granulated onion and salt.
It has the same texture and flavor as onion powder and works best for dishes that have eggs, tomato, stews, and marinades.
It is also a no-fat, no-cholesterol, zero-calorie substitute.
#6. Onion Paste
A great choice for dishes like soups and sauces, onion paste can also be made at home!
Simply chop up the amount of onion you require and blend them to the consistency of a puree. This paste can be substituted in the same quantity as onion powder.
#7. Chopped Chives
They’re bright green and quite chunky.
Although chives may not go too well with dry dishes, they work splendidly for other cooked dishes like salad dressings or dips.
They provide your dish with that much-needed onion flavor you’re looking for and can also be used as a garnish.
#8. Scallions
This works especially well if you’re looking to flavor Asian dishes, and it adds a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor to your dish.
Scallions work best with dishes like pizza, pasta, soups, dips, pork, and seafood. In case you don’t have chives, scallions are also a perfect substitute for them.
#9. Shallots
Smack in the middle of an onion and garlic, shallots share the properties of both. Their flavor, as compared to onion powder, is a little mild but that doesn’t take away from their ability to boost dishes like salads, casseroles, stir-fries, and sauces.
They can be also used in the place of both chives and scallions.
They’re also one of the healthiest options, given their rich nutritional content as shallots are packed with vitamins, magnesium, potassium, proteins, and fibers.
#10. Leeks
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Leeks work best after being sauteed in a pan or added to stews and soups to soften their stalks.
They have an intense flavor and are quite aromatic. You can use one cup of minced, raw leek to substitute one teaspoon of onion powder.
Leeks are also much less acidic than onions.
#11. Chopped Celery or Fennel Bulb
Chopped celery and fresh fennel bulbs add a mild aromatic onion powder-like flavor to your dish.
But be careful of their moisture content and make sure to reduce the liquids in your dish before adding celery. Fennel bulbs also need a little preparation before you add them to your dish.
Dishes like soups, stews, roasted meat, and vegetable dishes are perfect for using celery and fennel bulbs.
#12. Celery Seed
Another viable substitute to onion powder if you’re looking for a moisture-free ingredient. Although celery seed may not have the exact same flavor as onion powder, it still imparts similar notes to the dish.
You can substitute the same quantity of celery seeds as onion powder.
#13. Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is also a substitute with fairly similar flavors to onion powder.
If the recipe calls for 1 tsp onion powder, use 1/2 tsp garlic powder for your dish. While a slight hint of garlic flavor can be detected in the dish, the substitution mostly works in favor of the taste.
A Few Parting Words
Cooking is so much more satisfactory when your dish turns out perfect. Even if you’re missing a condiment as flavorful and important as onion powder, these onion powder substitute items can very well balance your dish without too much alteration to the overall taste. Bon Appetit!
