If you love to cook, then you probably use onion powder more than you care to admit. It is an excellent seasoning flavor that can add more depth to your dishes. However, if you need to cook urgently and you are fresh out of onion powder, there are many onion powder substitutes you can use to add the same flavor profile.
Here is everything you need to know about onion powder substitutes and the best ones you can use in your dishes.
Onion Powder: What Is It?
Many of us have onion powder in our pantries, but few know what it is. The powder is made up of dehydrated onions that are ground to a fine texture. You can then simply sprinkle the powder as a seasoning in any of your recipes.
Most people use onion powder on meat during their cooking process as it enhances the flavor of the meat. Besides that, it is used in many recipes in place of fresh onions. That is because it is easy to use and the taste lasts much longer.
However, you need to keep in mind that onion powder is a bit dry, and it can tend to burn out quickly. That is why you need to keep an eye on it while using it in your dishes.
Nutritional Value Of Onion Powder
If you are health conscious, you must know the nutritional value of onion powder to know what you are adding to your food. Here are some of the most important nutritional facts you need to know about onion powder:
- One teaspoon of onion powder contains 3mg of magnesium
- One teaspoon of onion powder contains 2mg of sodium
- One teaspoon of onion powder contains 24mg of potassium
- One teaspoon of onion powder contains 9mg of calcium
- One teaspoon of onion powder has no fat and only includes eight calories
That is why many people use it in their dishes as it is low in fat, calories, and sodium. Besides that, it includes other nutrients that are good for your health.
Adding onion powder to your meals will intensify the flavor and give your recipes a kick without being detrimental to your health.
Top 7 Best Onion Powder Substitutes
Now that you are familiar with the basics of onion powder, here are the top seven substitutes you can use in your dishes when you run out of onion powder:
1. Onion Salt
Onion salt is the best onion powder substitute out there. Many people also use these two things interchangeably in their recipes. That is because they add the same flavor and depth to any recipe.
Here are a few recipes that will taste best with onion salt if you are out of onion powder:
- Marinades
- Stews
- Tomato and egg dishes
- Soups
- And much more
You can readily find it in any store, and many people already keep it in their pantries. The best part is that it is great for health-conscious people as onion salt does not have cholesterol, calories, or fat. However, you will have to keep in mind the sodium level in the onion salt.
That is why it is best to use it in moderation, as a high sodium intake can lead to health problems in the long run. Of course, it will not hurt if you use it occasionally as an onion powder substitute.
2. Onion Flakes
These are flat and compact pieces of dehydrated onion that make a flavorful onion powder substitute. The flavor depth is the same as a powder, although you will notice that they have more texture as they are flakes. They can be best used in stir-fries, casseroles, salads, and other such dishes.
However, keep in mind that the flakes will be drier than the powder. That is why they might make your dish drier than it should be. The trick here is to use a grinder so the flakes can be quickly turned into powder.
Once you do this, you will have the best onion powder substitute used in any recipe. However, they go best with soft and liquid texture recipes. So, next time, give it a try and see how these ground onion flakes transform your dish.
3. Garlic Salt
You might be wondering what garlic salt is doing in recommendations about an onion powder substitute. Well, it will provide you with the same texture as onion powder, which is why it is one of the top three substitutes. You can use it in various dishes such as stock, pasta, dips, soups, casseroles, and much more.
If you love the taste of garlic in your food, it is an excellent substitute for any dish. Keep in mind that the salt content in this seasoning is high, which means that you need to check the sodium intake. Too much garlic salt in any dish will lead to high sodium consumption.
That is why it is essential to be mindful of the amount you put in your recipe. As long as you use it in moderation, you will love using it as an onion powder substitute.
4. Fresh Onion
Nothing beats an onion powder substitute better than fresh onion. They are healthy and will not affect your sodium levels in any way. You can choose the kind of onion you would like to use depending on your texture and flavor preferences.
Besides that, you can choose the way you want to chop your onions. For example, some recipes may require sliced, diced, grated, or chopped onions. However, one thing that you should keep consistent is the crunch and texture of your fresh onion.
The only drawback of utilizing onions as an onion powder substitute is that they might add more moisture to your dish. Besides that, you should not cook it for too long as it might become a mushy mix, especially if you have other vegetables in the dish, such as cucumbers and zucchini.
5. Granulated Onion
Granulated onion is one of the best onion powder substitutes out there as it is incredibly similar to onion powder. However, one difference you will notice is that the granulated onion will be more coarsely ground than the powder. Keep in mind that it is still finer than minced onion and onion flakes.
That is why it makes a great onion powder substitute, and you might have it in your pantry. All you have to do is be mindful of the amount you are using in your recipe. You should add double the amount of onion powder you would have added in your recipe for the best taste and results.
If you feel that doubling the amount might taste different, you can always add the same amount. However, if you do that, you might not be able to taste the onion at all.
6. Onion Paste
Do you want to enhance the flavor of your soups and sauces, but you are out of your onion powder? Well, you can simply substitute it with onion paste. The paste is made with fresh pureed onion, which you can make at home or find at your nearest grocery store.
If you cook onions often and you have any leftovers in your fridge, you can always create onion paste and keep them for later use. Here is how you can easily create onion paste:
- Peel a few onions
- Dice the onions roughly
- Toss all the chopped onions inside the blender
- Keep blending until the consistency is that of a paste
You can then transfer the paste into a jar and keep it in your fridge for later use. You can also freeze your onion paste in an ice cube tray and use them whenever you require. To benefit from the best taste, you can substitute each teaspoon of onion powder with a tablespoon of onion paste.
7. Scallions
Scallions are also known as spring onions or green onions, and they are best used as an onion powder substitute for soups, pizza, dips, pasta, seafood, and much more. You can cook scallions or use them raw, and they will give the same flavor profile as onion powder. Keep in mind that the flavor is subtle.
That is why you will have to add more scallions if you want an increased flavor of onion powder in your recipe. For example, a general rule of thumb is to add three times the amount of onion powder you would add to the recipe. If you want to add more, that is up to you.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to the best onion powder substitutes out there. All of these items will easily be present in your kitchen or your nearest grocery store.
Keep in mind that these substitutes go with some dishes and not all, which is why it is a trial and error process.
You may like some items as substitutes and not others. So, next time you are out of onion powder, make use of these substitutes and decide which one you like for your recipes.
