Out of Onion salt, one case

How to substitute onion powder for onion salt

5 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 5 options

Use Onion powder + salt

¼ tsp onion powder + ¾ tsp salt for every 1 tsp of onion salt

Mix ¼ teaspoon onion powder with ¾ teaspoon fine salt to replace each teaspoon of onion salt. That is the usual homemade onion salt: 1 part onion powder to 3 parts salt. Onion powder used alone in the same amount as the onion salt would leave the dish unsalted and too strong in onion.

Verdict —: Works
The tweak —: Stir the two together before adding, so the onion is spread evenly. Use fine table salt or fine sea salt.
Best for —: any recipe that calls for onion salt
Pantry —: Likely in your cupboard

One casethe full onion salt card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Onion salt substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of 1 tsp onion salt	Verdict
1	Onion powder + saltany recipe that calls for onion salt	¼ tsp onion powder + ¾ tsp saltWorks	Works
2	Onion powder alonelow-sodium recipes	¼ tspTweak it	Tweak it
3	Garlic saltburgers, steaks and roasted potatoes	1 tspYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
4	Celery saltpotato salad, coleslaw and egg salad	1 tspYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
5	Plain saltdishes that already contain fresh onion	¾ tspYou'll taste it	You'll taste it

What changesWhat changes, option by option5 options

Onion powder + salt

the same as onion salt

Onion salt is onion powder and salt already mixed, with salt as the larger share. Mixing your own at 1 part powder to 3 parts salt gives the same seasoning.

Best for: any recipe that calls for onion salt, dry rubs, burgers and roasted vegetables, popcorn, fries and snack seasoning
Prep: Stir the two together before adding, so the onion is spread evenly. Use fine table salt or fine sea salt.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: With coarse kosher salt the mix is less salty by volume and the powder sifts to the bottom. Taste and add a little more salt.

For a jar: 1 tbsp onion powder plus 3 tbsp fine salt makes ¼ cup. Shake before each use; onion powder clumps in humid air.

Onion powder alone

the same onion flavor, with no salt

For low-sodium cooking, use only the onion part of the blend and salt the dish separately, or not at all.

Best for: low-sodium recipes, dishes that already contain salty ingredients such as broth, soy sauce or cheese
Prep: Add ¼ tsp onion powder per teaspoon of onion salt, then salt to taste at the end.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Used teaspoon for teaspoon in place of onion salt, it gives about four times the onion and none of the salt.

Garlic salt

garlic in place of onion

Garlic salt is built the same way as onion salt, so it salts the dish equally. The flavor is garlic in place of onion.

Best for: burgers, steaks and roasted potatoes, garlic bread and savory snacks, recipes that already include garlic
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Onion dip, onion rings and other dishes where onion is the named flavor.

Celery salt

celery, slightly bitter

Another seasoned salt with a savory, vegetal flavor. It salts the dish about as much as onion salt does.

Best for: potato salad, coleslaw and egg salad, Bloody Marys and tomato juice, soups and stews
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Rubs and snack seasonings where the celery taste stands out.

Plain salt

salt only

With no onion powder in the house, plain salt covers the seasoning and leaves the onion out.

Best for: dishes that already contain fresh onion, when nothing else is available
Prep: Use ¾ tsp fine salt per teaspoon of onion salt. If you have a fresh onion, add a few tablespoons, finely chopped, to a cooked dish.
Suits: vegan, gluten-free
Where it fails: Any dish where onion salt was the only source of onion flavor.

Tips for substituting onion salt

5 tips

The formula: 1 part onion powder to 3 parts fine salt. For 1 tsp onion salt, that is ¼ tsp powder plus ¾ tsp salt; for 1 tbsp, ¾ tsp powder plus 2 ¼ tsp salt.
For ½ tsp onion salt, use 1/8 tsp onion powder, which is a generous pinch, plus a scant ½ tsp salt.
Mix a small jar: 1 tbsp onion powder and 3 tbsp fine salt. Keep the lid tight, because onion powder cakes when it takes on moisture.
Granulated onion works the same way as onion powder here. It is coarser, so use a slightly heaped measure.
Diamond Crystal kosher salt is about half as salty by volume as table salt. If that is your salt, start with the ¾ tsp and add more to taste.

Questions

4 questions

Can I use onion powder in place of onion salt in the same amount?

No. Onion salt is mostly salt, so a teaspoon of pure onion powder gives roughly four times the onion flavor and no salt. Use ¼ teaspoon onion powder plus ¾ teaspoon salt for each teaspoon of onion salt.

How do I make onion salt at home?

Stir 1 tablespoon of onion powder into 3 tablespoons of fine salt. That makes ¼ cup. Store it in a closed jar and shake it before use.

What if I want less sodium?

Use ¼ teaspoon of onion powder per teaspoon of onion salt and add salt separately, to taste. You keep all of the onion flavor and control the salt yourself.

Can I use dried minced onion to replace onion salt?

Yes. Grind it to a powder and use it as onion powder, or use ¾ teaspoon of the flakes plus ¾ teaspoon of salt per teaspoon of onion salt in a dish with enough liquid to soften them.