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
The best Vidalia onions substitutes are yellow onions, shallots, potato onions, and red onions. You can also use garlic, chives, and scallion. We have this guide for you if you want to learn about each and how to use them in your recipes.
What is a substitute for Vidalia onions? ›
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 is a substitute for fresh onions? ›
Using Onion Powder or Flakes
Small Onion: Produces about 1/3 cup of chopped onion. As a substitute, use 1 teaspoon of onion powder or 1 tablespoon of dried onion flakes. Medium Onion: Produces about 1 cup of chopped onion. Use 1 tablespoon of onion powder or 3 tablespoons of dried onion flakes as a substitute.
Why can't I find Vidalia onions? ›
Vidalia onion season typically runs from the middle of April through early September. You can count on onion availability in early spring; how long they'll be in the stores is totally dependent on each year's crop. With fewer onions harvested, you may have trouble finding them in the stores come August.
What is a sweet onion substitute? ›
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.
Can you substitute Vidalia onion for shallots? ›
A grocery-store staple, sweet onions like the Vidalia can usually be substituted for shallots, if you keep a few factors in mind. Although they are lower in sulfur than other varieties, sweet onions typically have a more pungent, pronounced flavor than shallots, along with a more resilient texture.
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.
Can I use onion powder instead of fresh? ›
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.
What is a good substitute for onions for GERD? ›
Fortunately, there are a number of substitutes that can give the same effect, from other aromatics such as fennel and bell peppers to herbs and spices like ginger and horseradish. Oil infused with garlic and garlic powder are also possible substitutes. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
What is the best substitute for yellow onion? ›
If you don't have any yellow onions on hand for your next soup or sauce, white onions can be substituted with minimal differences in the end result. However, we wouldn't recommend eating yellow onions raw for your salads and sandwiches, unless you don't mind the more pungent flavor and aroma.
According to the Martha Stewart site, Vidalias originate in the state of Georgia, and the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 codified into law that only onions grown in 20 specific counties in Georgia can legally use the name.
What is the only state where Vidalia onions are grown? ›
The Vidalias are named after the town they are grown in, Vidalia, Georgia. The sweet flavor is due to the low amount of sulfur in the soil in which the onions are grown. It can be called a Vidalia only if it's grown in one of 20 counties designated by the the Vidalia Onion Act of 1986.
Which onion is sweeter, Vidalia or Walla Walla? ›
It's a matter of terroir, he explains. And the Walla Walla soil and growing conditions give that onion a more complex flavor profile "that tells you that this is an onion," he says. The Vidalia may be milder or sweeter, but to Dean, flavor makes the winner.
What is a good substitute for Vidalia onions? ›
The best Vidalia onions substitutes are yellow onions, shallots, potato onions, and red onions. You can also use garlic, chives, and scallion. We have this guide for you if you want to learn about each and how to use them in your recipes.
What is the sweetest onion you can buy? ›
Vidalia Onions have developed an international reputation as the “world's sweetest onion.” Their mild flavor is due to the unique combination of soils and climate found in the 20 county production area. Through Federal regulation, the Vidalia Onion growers developed Federal Marketing Order No.
Which is sweeter Vidalia or yellow onion? ›
"Vidalia onions have a sweeter taste because of their high water and natural sugar content, compared to other yellow onions which have a milder taste when cooked," says Riner.
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.
How much onion powder equals one onion? ›
A general rule is that one tablespoon of onion powder is equal to one medium-sized onion. You can adjust the amount according to your taste preference.
Is a Vidalia onion a Bermuda onion? ›
The sweet onions remained a mostly local secret until the 1940s. In that decade, according to the University of Georgia, Earle Jordan planted the yellow granex onion, a hybrid of the Bermuda and Grano onions developed by Henry Jones of Texas A&M. It was this onion that eventually became the famous Vidalia onion.
