Onions have a unique ability to be sweet, savory, pungent and aromatic all at the same time. Much like celery, they don’t add much to dishes in terms of nutrition (or calories). But they do add so much in the way of flavor that even people who purport not to like onions would miss them if they were left out of certain recipes. Most folks wouldn’t snack on a raw onion the way they would an apple or a carrot, but when it comes to cooking, onions are as integral as eggs or butter. They may even as important as pots and pans!
Fun Fact: People have been eating and cooking with onions since the Bronze Age. The earliest known onion harvest dates back to 5000 BC!
How Sweet it Is
If you prefer a milder onion flavor, sweet onions are the way to go. Larger and slightly flatter than yellow onions, sweet onions have lighter, more translucent skins and contain more sugar than yellow onions, making them good for caramelizing. Their larger size and sweeter flavor make them ideal for making onion rings. A nice, thick slice of sweet onion can also add wonderful flavor to a hamburger or sandwich. In salads, sweet onions add onion flavor without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.
Fun Fact: Worried about onion breath after eating a dish with onions in it? Follow the meal up by munching on a sprig of parsley to take care of it!
Sweet Georgia Onions
Some of the world’s sweetest onions (like Pittman & Davis’s Sweet Georgia Onions) are grown in Georgia. Their sweetness is due to the low amount of sulfur in the soil in which they’re grown. In fact, a sweet onion can only be called a Vidalia Onion if it was grown in one of twenty specific counties designated by the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986. (Named for the city where it was first discovered, the Vidalia onion was named Georgia’s official state vegetable in 1990.) So, while all Vidalia Onions are sweet onions, not all sweet onions are Vidalia Onions.
Fun Fact: It’s the sulfuric compounds in onions that cause us to tear up when we cut them. Because their grown in soil that’s lower in sulfur, sweet onions can be less irritating than other varieties.
Substitutes for Vidalia Onions
There are many other types of sweet onions available, including Walla-Walla (after the city in Washington State) and Texas Sweets, and these can easily be used in any recipe calling for Vidalia Onions. For big sweet onion flavor, you can find Texas sweet onions for sale at Pittman & Davis. While it may seems strange to buy onions online, it’s the easiest way to get Texas sweet onions, and the National Sweet Onion Challenge Blue Ribbon Raw Texas 1015 Sweet Onion has as crisp, sweet flavor that will bring your steaks and hamburgers to life.
Fun Fact: Texas 1015 onions are so-named because they are planned in mid-October (i.e. on or around October 15th).
A Gift of…Onions?!
While it may at first seem like an odd idea to send onion gift boxes to friends and family members for holidays or other special occasions, think again. For one thing, onions last awhile when stored properly. And as stated above, they’re a cooking staple – your recipient is sure to use every last one, and probably sooner rather than later. So check out Pittman & Davis’s own gourmet onion offerings…you may find you want to get yourself a box or two as well!
Fun Fact: During the Middle Ages, onions were an acceptable form of currency! They were used to pay the rent and as tender for goods and services. And yes, they made great gifts back then, too!
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FAQs
Vidalia Onion Substitute
If you can't get your hands on Vidalia onions, you can use any type of sweet onion instead. For instance, Walla Walla and Maui are both perfectly acceptable alternatives.
What onions can be substituted for Vidalia? ›
Vidalia Onion Substitute
If you can't get your hands on Vidalia onions, you can use any type of sweet onion instead. For instance, Walla Walla and Maui are both perfectly acceptable alternatives.
What to use as a substitute for onion? ›
Shallots are hands-down the best substitute for onions. They're small onions with a mild, delicate, flavor.
What is a good substitute for sweet onions? ›
White onions are a popular substitute for sweet onions due to their mild flavor and crisp texture. While they may lack the distinct sweetness of sweet onions, white onions can still provide a subtle onion flavor without overpowering other ingredients. They are particularly great for dishes that require a milder taste.
What is the only state where Vidalia onions are grown? ›
According to the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986, there are only 20 counties in the United States that are allowed to grow Vidalia onions and sell them under the trademarked name. All of them are in Georgia, centered around the small town of Vidalia, GA.
What are the sweetest onions you can buy? ›
Sweet Onions – Walla Walla and Vidalia are the most common kinds of sweet onions. These onions lack the sharp, astringent taste of other onions and really do taste sweet. They are fantastic thinly sliced and served in salads or on top of sandwiches.
Are white onions the same as Vidalia? ›
Sweet onions, like Maui and Vidalia, are technically white onions - but they have a much higher sugar content, and a lower sulphur content, so they don't have that sharp bite to them. They often have a limited season, from spring to summer, so it's always great to pick up a few when they're available.
What herb is a good substitute for onion? ›
Leeks, scapes, chives, and ramps are all sort of, vaugely similar, and may work better or in addition to onions. But it's very hard to replace the humble onion.
What can I substitute for 1 chopped onion? ›
When there's no time to chop onions, onion powder is one option. Substitute 1 tablespoon of onion powder for one medium chopped onion. For the best onion flavor, use frozen chopped onions or dried minced onion (found in the spice aisle). One tablespoon of dried minced onion equals 1/4 cup minced raw onion.
Is onion powder a good substitute for onions? ›
One tablespoon of onion powder equals one cup of fresh onion
Because onion powder is so potent, you'll need a greater amount of fresh onion as a substitute. If your recipe calls for one tablespoon of onion powder, you'll have to use an entire cup of fresh onion to achieve the same onion flavor.
Vidalia onions are a particularly mild yellow onion grown around Vidalia, Georgia. Crunchy and sweet, they're excellent served raw in salads and salsas. Walla Walla sweet onions are another brand of sweet onions, grown in Walla Walla, Washington.
What to use if you can't eat onions? ›
Fennel, which has a licorice-like taste but onion-like texture. Try it with chicken or fish. Celery, among the most common aromatics. Bell peppers, a vegetable that's often used in Cajun cooking.
What flower can replace onions in some recipes? ›
Chives are flowering plants related to onions. Like shallots, they have a mild and not too spicy taste, so they make a good stand-in in many recipes. The small white bulbs and the green stalks, called scapes, are commonly chopped and used fresh as a garnish for dishes such as soups, mashed potatoes, and omelets.
What is similar to a Vidalia onion? ›
Walla Walla Onions
This might be your first time coming across these onions, but Walla Walla onions are pretty sweet and ideal to replace Vidalia onions. Whether you want to make onion rings or add these vegetables to your soups and stews, Walla Walla onions may never disappoint you.
Should Vidalia onions be refrigerated? ›
The best way to preserve Vidalia onions and other sweet onions: Store them in a place that's cool and dry and keep the onions separated. You can store your Vidalias in the refrigerator, wrapping each in a paper towel. Treated that way, they can last up to a year.
What is so special about Vidalia onions? ›
Vidalia Onions: Vidalia onions are prized for their remarkable sweetness and lack of bitterness. They have a mild, delicate flavor with subtle notes of sweetness, making them ideal for raw preparations like salads, salsas, and sandwiches.
What onions are sweet when cooked? ›
Sweet onions are larger than yellow onions, with a light skin. As the name suggests, sweet onions have sweet flavor due to a high sugar content, making them great for sauteing and caramelizing. Sweet onion varieties include Walla Walla, Texas Sweets, Maui, and Vidalia.
Is a Georgia sweet onion the same as a Vidalia onion? ›
Sweet Georgia Onions
(Named for the city where it was first discovered, the Vidalia onion was named Georgia's official state vegetable in 1990.) So, while all Vidalia Onions are sweet onions, not all sweet onions are Vidalia Onions.
Which is sweeter Vidalia or sweet onions? ›
According to Rodrigo Velásquez, produce category manager at Imperfect Foods, "all Vidalias are sweet onions, but not all sweet onions are Vidalias." He says the key difference is in the flavor: "What sets them apart is their sweetness and sulfur levels—[Vidalias] have the highest sugars and lowest sulfur levels of all ...
What's the difference between shallots and Vidalia onions? ›
Shallots might be rounder, the size of a golf-ball, or longer and more torpedo-like in shape. Onions grow on their own, but shallots come in clusters, multiple shallots occupying one plant.
