Dried onion is a practical ingredient that keeps for a long time and that in many kitchens replaces fresh onion. It is made when fresh onions are slowly dried so that water is removed. This makes them light, long-lasting and widely available – almost like potato chips, except they don't stay crunchy but are used for seasoning.
Origin
Onions grow in almost every part of the world. The onion from which dried onions are made often comes from countries with large growing areas. Many come from Europe, North America, India or China. That means: when you buy dried onion, it can come from your own country or from far away. The onion itself is a very old cultivated plant – people have grown it for thousands of years because it tastes good and stores well.
Growing regions
Typical growing regions are areas with lots of sun and good soils. In Europe this includes parts of Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. In North America onions often come from states with large fields like California or Washington. In Asia India and China are major producers. These countries can harvest a lot of onions, which is why dried onions are commonly found in supermarkets worldwide.
Available varieties and forms
Dried onions come in several forms. Here is a simple list so you can see the difference:
- Onion dices / pieces: small dried pieces that look like tiny onion bits. They are practical if you want visible onion in soups or sauces.
- Onion granulate: finer than dices but still small granules. It dissolves faster and is good for seasoning ground meat or dough.
- Onion powder: ground very finely, almost like flour. It disperses quickly in liquids and doughs, ideal for dressings or marinades.
- Onion flakes: flat, larger pieces – they somewhat resemble oat flakes but are made of onion. Good for toppings or stews.
- Smoked onion: in this variant the onion was smoked before drying. It has a smoky flavor, like seasoning over a campfire.
- Fried / caramelized onion: these pieces were fried first and then dried. They taste sweeter and are like little flavor packages.
Think of the variants like pasta: there are spaghetti, penne or fusilli – they're all pasta but look different and are used differently. The same goes for dried onions: there is a suitable form for each task.
Where to get them
You can find dried onions in the supermarket spice aisle, in health food stores, online and in bulk packs for restaurants. Sometimes they're in small jars, sometimes in large bags. Check the best-before date and whether the packaging is well sealed.
You can find dried onions in the supermarket spice aisle, in health food stores, online and in bulk packs for restaurants. Sometimes they're in small jars, sometimes in large bags. Check the best-before date and whether the packaging is well sealed.
Tip for choosing
If you want a strong flavor, choose pieces or caramelized variants. For an even flavor in a sauce, powder is often better. And if you want something special, try smoked onion – it gives dishes a warm note.
If you want a strong flavor, choose pieces or caramelized variants. For an even flavor in a sauce, powder is often better. And if you want something special, try smoked onion – it gives dishes a warm note.
