Out of Onion, one case
How to substitute onion powder for onion
4 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Onion powder
1 tbsp for every cup of onion
Use 1 tablespoon onion powder for each medium onion, which is about 1 cup chopped. For smaller amounts, use 1 teaspoon per 1/3 cup chopped onion. Onion powder replaces the flavor only: the dish loses the bulk, moisture and texture of fresh onion, so it works in soups, sauces, meatloaf and casseroles and not where onion is a main ingredient.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- The tweak —
- Add it with the liquid or the other seasonings. Do not fry it in oil at the start the way you would fresh onion; it scorches in seconds.
- Best for —
- soups, stews, chili and sauces
- Pantry —
- Likely in your cupboard
One casethe full onion card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup onion | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Onion powdersoups, stews, chili and sauces | 1 tbspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Dried minced onionsoups, stews and chili | 3 tbspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Shallotssauteed bases for sauces and soups | 1 cupWorks | Works |
| 4 | Leekssoups and stews | 1 cupTweak it | Tweak it |
| Not a swap | Onion salt | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
Onion powder
onion flavor that is flatter and less sweet than cooked fresh onion
Onion powder is dried onion ground fine, so the flavor is concentrated. One tablespoon stands in for the taste of one medium onion.
- Best for
- soups, stews, chili and sauces, meatloaf, burgers and meatballs, casseroles, dips and dressings
- Prep
- Add it with the liquid or the other seasonings. Do not fry it in oil at the start the way you would fresh onion; it scorches in seconds.
- Suits
- vegan, gluten-free
- Where it fails
- Caramelized onions, French onion soup, onion rings, fajitas, stir-fries, and raw onion on burgers, salads and salsa. Anywhere the onion is something you chew, powder cannot replace it.
Granulated onion is coarser. Use the same amount, slightly heaped.
Dried minced onion
close to cooked onion, a little sweeter and toastier
Dried minced onion, also sold as onion flakes, softens back into small pieces of onion in a wet dish. It gives some texture, which powder does not.
- Best for
- soups, stews and chili, meatloaf, burgers and casseroles, slow cooker recipes
- Prep
- Add it straight to a dish with plenty of liquid. For meatloaf or burgers, soak it in a few tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes first.
- Suits
- vegan, gluten-free
- Where it fails
- Raw uses and quick-cooked dishes, where the pieces stay chewy.
Shallots
milder and a little sweeter than onion
If there is any fresh allium in the kitchen, it does more than powder can. Shallots are small, mild onions and swap by volume, chopped.
- Best for
- sauteed bases for sauces and soups, vinaigrettes and raw uses, caramelizing
- Prep
- Measure them chopped; it takes several shallots to make the 1 cup that one medium onion gives.
- Suits
- vegan, gluten-free
- Where it fails
- Onion rings and thick burger slices; shallots are too small.
Leeks
milder and greener than onion
The white and light green part of a leek, sliced, cooks down soft and sweet like onion and gives the dish back its bulk.
- Best for
- soups and stews, quiche, risotto and pasta, braises
- Prep
- Slice, then rinse well in a bowl of water; grit hides between the layers. Cook gently, because leeks brown and turn bitter faster than onion.
- Suits
- vegan, gluten-free
- Where it fails
- Raw uses. Raw leek is tough and harsh.
Onion salt
salty
Onion salt is mostly salt with a little onion powder. Enough of it to taste like an onion would make the dish far too salty.
- Best for
- nothing here
- Suits
- vegan, gluten-free
- Where it fails
- Matching one medium onion would take about ¼ cup of onion salt, which is 3 tablespoons of salt. Use it only as part of the recipe's salt, 1 teaspoon at a time.
Tips for substituting onion
5 tips- Conversions: 1 medium onion or 1 cup chopped = 1 tbsp onion powder. 1 small onion or 1/3 cup chopped = 1 tsp. ½ cup chopped = 1 ½ tsp. 1 large onion or 1 ½ cups chopped = 1 ½ tbsp.
- Add onion powder to the liquid, not to hot oil. If the recipe starts by sauteing onion, skip that step and stir the powder in with the broth, tomatoes or other wet ingredients.
- In meatloaf, meatballs and burgers, fresh onion also adds moisture. With powder the mix is a little drier and firmer, so do not overbake.
- Check the jar: onion powder and onion salt look alike. The amounts here are for pure onion powder.
- Onion powder fades in the jar. If it has little smell, add a bit more, tasting as you go.
Questions
5 questionsHow much onion powder equals one onion?
One tablespoon of onion powder for one medium onion, which is about 1 cup chopped. Use 1 teaspoon for a small onion and 1 ½ tablespoons for a large one.
How much onion powder equals ½ cup of chopped onion?
Use 1 ½ teaspoons of onion powder. For ¼ cup of chopped onion, use ¾ teaspoon.
Can I substitute onion powder for dried minced onion?
Yes. Use 1 teaspoon of onion powder for each tablespoon of dried minced onion. The flavor is the same; you lose the small pieces.
Can I use onion powder in place of fresh onion in soup or chili?
Yes. Stir in 1 tablespoon per onion along with the liquid. The pot will have a little less body and sweetness, which you can make up with extra carrot or celery.
When does onion powder not work?
When the onion is a main ingredient or eaten raw: caramelized onions, French onion soup, onion rings, fajitas, salads, salsa and burger toppings. Powder supplies flavor but nothing to chew.