add together level of tang to any dish antenna — from soup and stews to salsas and cocktails — with these eight MVPs of the onion plant kin .
Available by the bushel , base , or bulb , many type of onions are among the most low-cost , stout , and versatile stars of the produce aisle . That ’s because the different types of onions showcase various spirit and textures . The allium kinsperson , which onions are a part of , is a genus of nipping plant ranging from garlic to green onion to blank onions and beyond .
No matter which Allium cepa family plant life you plunk , take aim to stock up on defect - innocent firm ones with piffling to no distinguishable fragrance when whole . Storeonion household vegetablesof all kinds in a coolheaded , dark , well - give vent place . Only refrigerate once peeled .

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza
slice or chopped , grated or minced , the different types of onion can append a unique flavor dimension to your beauty . opt for the onion variety best suited for the job will ensure the best ( and most tasty ) finished product . Read on to find out about eight of the most common types of onions and exercise for each .
BHG / Andrea Araiza
8 Different Types of Onions and Uses for Each One
Keep in brain that our recommendations for onion plant family works uses are merely suggestions . For model , we adore the rich and mellowed endearing tone ofcaramelized yellow onions . But if you find through your experimentation that you favor caramelized red or white onions , feel devoid to use the type of Allium cepa you like .
1. Red Onions
Great for : Salads , broil , charring , ridicule , pickling
vivacious in coloring and among the sharpest and gamey of all the types of onions , blood-red onions are often featured in recipes in their in the raw form . ( Prefer tamer smack ? Soak them in chicken feed body of water for 10 to 20 minutes to ease the raciness . ) They turn slightly jammy once cooked and are a top choice when you ’re seeking an onionvariety to pickle . Give them a go in ourSpiced Chicken Lentil Tacos with Quick - pickle Red Onions .
2. Yellow Onions
smashing for : Pretty much anyonion recipe , in particular single that involve caramelize
If a formula just call for " onion , " chance are , the chef or formula developer means this type of onion plant , also call brown onion plant or yellow globe onion . They ’re the most commonly arise and sold onion plant sort in America . Although rough when bare-assed , yellow onions mellow out beautifully once caramelized ( when they get adequate parts sweet , savoury , and all - around delectable ) , make fun , or sautéed . Thanks to their gamey starch content , they wo n’t cook down into mush .
Get your localisation in our recipes forCaramelized Balsamic Onions , French Onion Soup , Risotto with Caramelized Onions , Bacon , and Mushrooms , andTangy Sour Cream and Onion Dip .

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza
3. White Onions
Great for : primal American andMexican recipes , grilling
Slightly milder than reddish or jaundiced onions , lily-white onions are naughty and crunchy when served raw . Popular in toppings like salsa or guacamole or as a topping to tacos , barbecue menu , fret , and beyond , the ever - so - perfumed aftertaste of this character of onion lingers beautifully .
White onion are commonly utilized in the aromatic flavor bases of a wide smorgasbord of culinary art , from Italian sofrito ( tomato paste , olive oil color , onions , garlic , herbaceous plant , and peppercorn ) to French mirepoix ( celery , onion , and carrot ) to Cajun holy trinity ( equal part onions , celery , and bell pepper ) . examine white onions in ourBeef BirriaorCaribbean Chili with Black Beans .

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza
4. Sweet Onions
Great for : Garnishes , salads , relishes , fry
recollect you detest onions — or lay down a smasher for someone who does ? This is the type of onion to attempt . Featuring a sick yellow skin and clean interior , sweet onions survive up to their name . Because of more piddle and less sulphur than the other Allium cepa family plants , sweet Allium cepa are ideal for eating raw , using as a topping , or slicing into rings and frying . Subtypes of sweet onion variety show let in Vidalia , Walla Walla , and Maui . Stock up and try them inOnion RingsorShrimp Salad with Lime Dressing .
5. Green Onions
Great for : Asian recipe , Mexican recipes , garnishes , salads , braise , roasting , grill
soft , milder , and far taller than their bulbous onion family industrial plant peers , green onionsare herbaceous and yummy in both sensitive and cooked formula . Also known as spring onion , bunching onion , Chinese onion , and Welsh onions , they ’re white near the beginning and fleeceable at the diametric ( folio ) end . Each part past the root is eatable , sodon’t throw out the white part !
Although some Cook call these spring onions , those are actually their own , far less common onion variety. Spring onion are immature versions of yellow and reddened onions that are uncommitted only for a brief metre during — you approximate it!—spring . Treat green onions likefresh herbsand wash and store in a moist theme towel - lined bag in the icebox . Showcase this onion mixed bag inRoasted Green Onion DipandOrange Salmon and Green Onions ,

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza
6. Shallots
Great for : sauce , stuffing , pickling , roasting , sautéing , fry
Like your onion flavor on the less aggressive side ? Opt for Allium cepa aggregatum , those copper - shinny lightbulb that resemble petite red onion . gently oniony with a hint ofgarlic flavor , shallots are spectacular grated or diced and add together to sauce or dressings . They ’re often fried and disperse ( like itty - bitty unbattered onion tintinnabulation ) atop gourmet restaurant dishes .
Do n’t sweat if you ’re distressed about the types of onions and have got the thoroughgoing variety for the line . Shallots can brook in for almost any other onion variety and vice versa . Our favourite use for shallot ? Our homemadeChili Crispcondiment .

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza
7. Pearl Onions
Great for : Stews , braising , roasting , glazing , cocktails
Also recognise as white cocktail Allium cepa , these small onions are larger than a bone but still quite thickset since they ’re grown close together and glean early . Imagine the little white-hot orbs in a large deal of Julia Child or Ina Garten ’s coq au vin and boeuf bourguignon sauce — those are the case of onion plant we ’re spill about here . ascertain them in the pre - peeled produce aisle to relieve time , or for a long - endure selection , attempt out this onion variety in the freezer section if you design to cook them ! Give them a jibe inSlow Cooker Coq au Vin .
8. Garlic
large for : Roasting , sautéing , sauces , dressing , pickling
Whether you bribe it by the bulb , in peeled gloves , pre - sliced , minced , or dried , garlic is technically part of the onion mob . Many savory recipes start with minced , diced , smashed , or roast cloves . Cooked garlic is fragrant and slightly sweet , and make fun it makes garlic even sweet and radical - creamy in texture . Put your garlic to gravid usage inBaked Brie with Roasted GarlicandRoasted Garlic Pasta Sauce . No garlic ? No elbow grease ; assay thesegarlic backup man .

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza

Credit:BHG / Andrea Araiza