Behind the Seasoning: Onion

Get all the flavor of onions all without shedding any tears with our flavorful onion collection. Onions are found in a wide range of cuisines, dishes, and cooking styles. If this aromatic spice doesn’t have a permanent spot in your collection, it will once you get to the end of this article. 

Granulated Onion vs. Onion Powder vs. Onion Salt

Never underestimate an onion — there’s a lot going on between those layers. It’s a vegetable that can also be used as a spice. It completely transforms depending on the way it is prepared. Onions can be sweet, pungent, super aromatic, or sharp. However, cutting an onion to get these flavors isn’t always fun. That’s where our onion collection comes in. Dehydrated onion spices can add everything you love about onions and without any of the tears. 

What is Granulated Onion

When cooking a savory dish, chances are onions are involved. If you prefer to keep things simple while cooking, granulated onion is about to become your best friend. Granulated Onion has all the delicious oniony flavor packed into a dehydrated powder. Made from dehydrated white onions, it is a great addition to stews, soups, roasts, and marinades. It also makes a great addition to barbecue rubs and other seasonings.

We also carry Granulated Toasted Onion. This flavorful sprinkle is made from roasting white onions until they are golden brown and bursting with flavor. It has a sweeter, almost caramelized onion flavor that pairs well with granulated onion if you want to add depth. On its own, try this spice in soups, stews, seasoning meat, or anywhere you’d use an onion. Because the flavor is sweeter, you can also use this as a flavorful sprinkle at the end of the cooking process.

What is Onion Powder

Onion powder is a great tool in your cooking arsenal to keep things balanced in the pot. The powder takes granulated onions one step further and grounds them into a very fine powder. The powder is no bigger than grains of sand yet carries a whole lot of flavor. The powder is zesty, pungent, and can balance out a recipe just like a fresh onion. If you’re looking for this super-fine powder, you can give Granulated Onion a whirl in a spice or coffee grinder. But remember that onion is sticky so start slow!

Is onion powder the same as ground onion?

Onion powder and ground onions have many overlaps and both are just dehydrated onion. But while the two spices have an equivalent flavor profile and can generally be used interchangeably, onion powder (like the name suggests) is much finer. 

What is Onion Salt

If you are a fan of Garlic Salt or our Onion & Garlic Tableside Sprinkle, chances are you will fall in love with onion salt. Onion salt is pretty much what it sounds like, a mix of granulated onions and salt. The combo of the pungent onions mixed with the salt make the spice blend truly irresistible. It’s super easy to make, just mix salt and granulated onion to suit your taste. For extra flavor, add Granulated Toasted Onion too.

What Does Onion Seasoning Taste Like?

Granulated onion and onion seasonings take your taste buds on a journey. Don’t think because it is a powder it won’t have any onion flavor. Onion makes a great addition to many spice blends. You’ll find it as a key ingredient in our Flat Irons Prime Rib Rub, Country Onion Herb Veggie Shaker, and La Plata Peak Adobo Spice. Using onion seasoning when cooking can sometimes enhance the onion flavor even more than a fresh onion would. The powder is pungent, slightly sweet, and a little zesty and blends well with other spices, vegetables, and ingredients.

Are There Onion Powder Benefits for Health?

Onions are near the top of the list when it comes to vegetables with health benefits. While the powder isn't exactly the same as eating a fresh onion, because it is simply dehydrated onion it still reaps many benefits. Onions are packed with nutrients, rich in vitamins, and can help regulate immune health. They may also help heart health, regulate blood sugar, and even boost bone density. 

Where & How to Buy Different Onion Seasonings

Onion and onion seasonings are easy to find in your local market. Look in your spice section for onion powders, granulated onions, and onion salt. Our store carries Granulated Onion and Toasted Granulated Onion, as well as many onion blends like Onion & Garlic Tableside Sprinkle. 

If you’d prefer to check out our seasonings in person before deciding on that final purchase, use our store locator feature to see where you can find the seasonings in a store near you. 

What are Onion Seasonings Used For?

Once you figure out that many onion seasonings can be used alongside onions in a recipe or can help replace the flavor of a fresh onion, you’ll be using them left and right. The spices are great for soups, stews, marinades, and stocks. Many of the onion seasonings can also be used in dry rubs or mixed with water to make an onion paste. They are also great when sticking to the basics (salt, pepper, onion, and garlic) to season vegetables and meats. 

Granulated Onion Uses

There is no need to rehydrate granulated onions, they can be used right out of the jar. Add the spice to stocks, sauces, gravies, marinades, and stews. The onions can also be mixed with a splash of water to make a paste for a bolder onion flavor. A little goes a long way though! One Tbsp. of Granulated Onion is equal to about ½ cup of chopped onion. So just be aware of how much granulated onion you are using.

Onion Powder Uses

Onion powder is great for when you want the flavor of onion and none of the work (or tears). Add the granulated onion powder straight into dry rubs, spice blends, and simple marinades. Like garlic powder, it helps balance the other spices and helps meld everything together. Because of its fine powdered consistency, it is great to add directly into soups, stews, and sauces as it mixes right in. 

Can you substitute Onion Powder for onion?

Yes! Onion powder is an excellent substitute for when you don’t have an onion. However, a small amount goes a long way when using onion powder. Since the powder is dehydrated and the flavor is concentrated, a small amount of the powder will be enough to substitute for a large onion. This actually makes it perfect for camping or backpacking as it’s light and easy to use.

Onion Salt Uses

Onion salt will transform the flavors on the plate in the best way possible. The seasoning can be used in place of a finishing salt or part of a marinade or dry rub. Since it is a combo of onions and salt, it packs a strong flavor and creates a balanced blend all at the same time. 

What Can Be Substituted for Onion Powder or Granulated Onion?

If you find yourself running low on onion powder or granulated onions, don’t worry. There are many substitutes that can easily be swapped in so you can continue cooking. Shallots, Granulated Toasted Onion, Scallions, Garlic Salt, and other onion-based seasonings are solid swaps. Depending on the recipe, fennel bulbs, celery, and fresh onions can sub in too. However, more of the vegetables will be needed to achieve a similar flavor. Remember, ½ cup fresh onion is equal to 1 Tbsp. of spice.

What Other Spice, Seasoning, and Flavors Pair Well with Onion Seasonings?

The real question here is, what doesn’t pair well with onion? Because onions are a base to many recipes, the spice pairs well with almost anything. Popular mixes include Garlic Powder, Paprika, Cumin, or Oregano. Mixing onion seasoning with flour will also create a flavorful breading for frying or baking shrimp, chicken, catfish, and more. 

Recipes Using Onion Seasonings

You already know that onions will add layers of flavor but if you're not sure what to make first, don’t worry. Here are some of our favorite ways to use our onions and onion seasoning.

Granulated Onions: A small amount of granulated onions packs in a whole lot of onion flavor. Use the spice to replace onions in your cooking or make a paste for true onion flavor. 

• Table Mt. All-Purpose Seasoning Spice Blend: Don’t know what to season your next meal with? We’ve got you covered with this all purpose spice blend.
• Oregon Trail Juniper Berry Spice Blend: The next time you plan to throw something on the grill, use this combo for a unique dry rub that is great for pork, beef or bison, poultry, and game meat.
• Vindaloo Burgers with Cucumbers Raita and Pickled Onions: While the spicy burgers and the pickled onions are the main dish here, we all know that the cucumber raita is the true star of the plate!
• Tangy White BBQ Sauce: In just 5 minutes, you can have this tangy BBQ sauce that is great to put on all kinds of veggies and meats. Do yourself a favor and double this recipe, as you are going to want to put it on just about everything. 

Granulated Toasted Onions: Add a deep, almost caramelized onion flavor to any dish with a splash of granulated toasted onions.

• Cambridge Celery Seasoning Spice Blend: Bookmark this spice blend for your next BBQ as it is perfect to season burgers. But it also makes a great seasoning for sides or mix up the spices and stir into sour cream for the perfect veggie dip. 
• South End Brewski Chili: There’s plain old chili, and then there is South End Brewski Chili. The chili uses layers of spices in addition to chili powder to create crowd-pleasing flavor. 
• Ghost Pepper Curry Powder Spice Blend: Give your tastebuds a spice test with this ghost pepper curry powder spice blend. It’s hot, aromatic, and has undertones of licorice, making for a true spice journey. 

Onion Seasonings: Add a deep, almost caramelized onion flavor to any dish with a splash of granulated toasted onions.

• Tostones with Creamy Garlic Sauce: These simple, savory, fried plantains get a pop of flavor from sauce that is infused with Onion & Garlic Tableside Sprinkle.
• Mt. Hood Pasta Salad: This quick and easy lunch, picnic favorite, or dinner is seasoned with peppery, oniony, herby Mt. Hood Toasted Onion Rub.
• Sautéed Summer Vegetables: This infinitely adaptable recipe can be made with whatever produce you have and the flavor boost comes from the simple, yet delicious, Country Onion Herb Veggie Shaker.

Shop Garlic & Onion or explore the world of onion by going Behind the Seasoning to learn more about Garlic, Shallots, and Chives and Scallions. Tell us about your favorite ways to use shallots below or tag us on Instagram @savoryspiceshop.