Do you often run out of onion flakes without any notice?
Worry not, for there are many substitutes to rescue you from the kitchen conundrum.
In this article, we are sharing five of the best onion flakes substitutes that will help you make your dish even more delicious.
Let’s get started.
What are Onion Flakes?
Onion flakes are one of the many handy ingredients used in the kitchen for flavoring foods and creating broth bases.
They are ideal for adding a mild onion flavor to dishes without having to go through the process of chopping onions.
Onion flakes will usually last around 12 months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Onion flakes can be used in all sorts of dishes such as soups, casseroles, stir-fries and meat dishes.
To substitute fresh onions, 1 teaspoon of onion flakes is equal to half a small onion or 1 tablespoon of fresh chives.
Toasting them can also help bring out their full flavour.
They are often added as an alternative to omitting chunks of onion which could cause choking hazards.
There is no need to pre-cook them prior to adding them into your food—but they should be cooked thoroughly afterwards so that any bacteria present is destroyed and your food is safe to eat.
5 Best Onion Flakes Substitutes to Consider
Onion flakes are a perfect ingredient for adding flavor to meals, however, at times not everyone likes the taste or has access to it.
Here are five of the best substitutes you should consider when looking for an onion flakes substitute.
1 – Chopped Celery
Chopped celery is an excellent substitute for onion flakes that works especially well in casseroles, soups and sauces.
The texture is similar to the onion flakes, but it can be somewhat lower in flavor.
To make your dish taste more like onion flakes, sauté the celery briefly in oil before adding it to gumbos and stews.
In addition to serving as a flavorful base for soups, celery adds a subtle crunch and freshness to salads that onion can’t provide.
Just remember that celery will not fully reproduce the flavor of onion flakes since it lacks the sweet pungency of raw onions.
2 – Minced Shallots
When looking for a substitution for onion flakes, minced shallots are an ideal alternative.
Shallots are a member of the onion family, and are often described as having a milder bite than other onions.
Much like onion flakes, minced shallots can be used as a topping on baked potatoes or as an addition to sauces and soups.
Additionally, they’re easy to cook with since they don’t require any additional prep work – though it’s good to rinse them lightly with water before adding them to recipes.
When substituting onion flakes for minced shallots in recipes, the general ratio is 1 tablespoon of freshly minced shallot per teaspoon of onion flakes.
It’s important to note that you should use fresh or frozen shallots here rather than dried if you’d like an accurate substitution.
3 – Onion Granules
Onion granules are a great substitute for onion flakes, as they are similar in that they are a combination of onion powder and onions.
They provide the same flavor and consistency, but with the added bonus of several different sizes.
Granules sometimes range up to the size of small pieces of onion.
This makes them perfect for adding texture to dishes like casseroles or stews, or as topping on items like potatoes and vegetables.
They can also be used as seasoned salt on items like chicken, fish or vegetables before roasting.
4 – Onion Salt
Onion salt is a mix of dried onion and table salt.
It is a convenient product as you don’t have to chop onions or measure out table salt – they are already combined.
This seasoning blend can add flavor to various dishes such as burgers or onion rings and has the added benefit of providing some minerals due to the presence of table salt.
Other herbs and spices may be added to enhance the flavor, but it is most widely found with no other ingredients alongside it.
Onion salt adds a salty onion flavor without contributing much texture, so it is usually best used as an all-purpose seasoning rather than a way to top dishes with fresh-like onion slices.
5 – Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is the most popular substitute for onion flakes.
It has a milder flavor than onion, but it still adds a nice depth and sweetness to dishes.
Garlic powder can be used as a 1:1 substitute for onion flakes, just remember that if you are using this in large amounts, you may want to cut back on the amount of garlic called for in the recipe.
To use garlic powder as an alternative to onion flakes – simply use 1 teaspoon garlic powder in place of 1 tablespoon of dried onion flakes.
Like onion flakes, garlic powder should not be used raw as it will taste too strong this way.
Conclusion
Onion flakes are made from dried, minced onions that can be rehydrated as needed and used in recipes to provide a flavorful boost.
Despite their convenience, onion flakes may not always be an ideal choice for certain dishes, requiring a substitution.
Consider one of five substitutes above for your next recipes.
5 Best Onion Flakes Substitutes to Consider
Ingredients
- 1 – Chopped Celery
- 2 – Minced Shallots
- 3 – Onion Granules
- 4 – Onion Salt
- 5 – Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.
- Use the proper substitute to cook your recipes.
Carrie is a food writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked for some of the biggest names in the food industry, including Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Living.
As the Editor in Chief of IntroChicago.com, Carrie oversees all of the content on the site. She also manages the team of contributing writers and editors, who help to create delicious recipes, helpful tips, and informative articles that you’ll find on the site.
A native of the Chicago area, Carrie is passionate about all things food. She loves trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen. She’s also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, so she knows a thing or two about food!