Onion Powder Substitute (2024)

Onions are often dehydrated to retain the sweet pungent flavor they're known for, to create onion powder. Often used in savory dishes, onion powder has the added benefit of tear-free cooking. It comes in many forms from toasted onion powder to dehydrated chopped onions depending on the needs of your dish.


Substitutes for onion powder include the many forms of onion you may have on hand: salt, fresh, and chopped. Shallots, fennel bulbs and celery can also be used as an alternative to onion powder in a pinch.


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Substitutes for Onion Powder


While onion powder is a staple in many savory dishes, and has it’s benefits over using fresh onions, it can easily be replaced by using the fresh version. Shallots, scallions, or any of the other substitutions here will work just fine, although you may have to use a bit more of the fresh version to get the same flavor packed into onion powder. Our favorite substitutions for onion powder are:

Onion Powder Substitute for Fresh Onion


While onion powder provides a quick chop-free onion flavor to dishes, some recipes work better with the texture and water content of a fresh onion, so be sure your recipe doesn’t rely on the dryness of onion powder when making this substitution. If opting to use fresh onion instead of powder, use about half a cup of fresh onion for every tablespoon called for onion powder.


How to Make Onion Powder


You can make your own onion powder in a dehydrator using fresh onions, and end up with a great tasting and easy to use powder.


  1. Wash your onions to remove dirt.
  2. Remove the roots and peel the outer layer of onion
  3. Thinly slice the onions to about ¼-⅛ inch thick
  4. Lay your onion slices on dehydrator trays with space between them to ensure proper airflow
  5. Dehydrate the onions at 100-110 degrees fahrenheit for 12 hours to several days. Doe conventional oven, cook at 140 degrees fahrenheit until crunchy, usually a few hours.
  6. Check that the onions are dry, they should snap in half, not bend. If they do not snap, continue to dehydrate
  7. Ground and store your onion powder in an airtight container

Common Onion Powder Substitution Questions


Can I substitute fresh onion for onion powder?

Yes! Use about ½ cup fresh onion for every tablespoon of onion powder.


Can I substitute onion powder for garlic powder

Yes! While these two seasonings have different flavors, they both add a savory quality into dishes. Because garlic powder is a bit stronger than onion powder, use about ½ the amount of garlic powder as you would onion powder.


What can you use instead of onion powder?

Instead of onion powder you can use: grated fresh onion, shallots, fennel bulbs, scallions, garlic powder, onion salt, or celery.


Can I make my own onion powder?

Yes! Using a dehydrator, cook sliced onions at about 110 degrees fahrenheit for 12 hours until they are crisp. Once they’re crisp enough to snap in half, grind them down and store in an airtight container.

Onion Powder Substitute (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have onion powder? ›

Substitutes for Onion Powder
  • Grated fresh onion.
  • Shallots.
  • Fennel bulbs.
  • Scallions.
  • Garlic salt.
  • Onion salt.
  • Celery.

What is the equivalent of 1 onion to onion powder? ›

When substituting onion powder for fresh onions, it is essential to know the correct measurement. 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.

What is a teaspoon of onion powder equivalent to? ›

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.

What can I substitute for 2 tsp of onion powder? ›

Dehydrated onion or onion flakes

To replace onion powder with dried onion, use one tablespoon of dried onion for every teaspoon of onion powder.

Is onion powder necessary? ›

Like onions, onion powder is essential for a flavor-forward kitchen. Find out what onion powder is and how best to use this potent secret ingredient. Su-Jit is a freelance commerce writer for Simply Recipes.

What does onion powder do in cooking? ›

Onion in powdered form allows you to add flavour to sauces, dips, soups and other recipes where a smooth overall texture is required. These vegetarian kebabs are made with wheat gluten and onion powder helps provide a good depth of flavour to a convincing meat alternative.

Can I replace onion powder with onion salt? ›

The main differences lie in the ingredients used, flavor and aroma, and texture. If you're looking for a milder taste with more convenience, onion powder may be the way to go. However, if you want a stronger flavor profile or need to watch your sodium intake, then onion salt could be a better choice.

How to substitute dried onions for fresh? ›

A: Dried onion in any form—minced or powdered—can be substituted for chopped onion. Use a smaller quantity of minced and even less powdered onion as stand-ins for chopped. Fresh chopped onion is another good option. One medium-size chopped fresh onion equals 1/4 cup dried onion.

What is a good substitute for garlic powder? ›

Your best bet for a garlic powder substitute is to use granulated garlic. Granulated garlic is also just dehydrated garlic, but it hasn't been ground down as fine as garlic powder. You can use granulated garlic as a garlic powder substitute, but you'll need to use twice as much.

How to counteract too much onion powder? ›

Yes, adding sweetness can help counterbalance the strong onion flavor. Consider adding ingredients like a pinch of sugar, honey, or even naturally sweet vegetables like carrots or squash. The sweetness helps to cut through the intensity and create a more harmonious flavor profile.

What's the difference between onion powder and garlic powder? ›

Garlic powder has a strong flavor and spicy taste, making it suitable for cooking spicy dishes. Onion powder has a milder taste and softer texture, making it suitable for cooking light dishes.

How do you add onion flavor without onions? ›

Horseradish, freshly grated, can add some of the pungent notes you might otherwise lack. Ginger and galangal have distinctive flavors but may be useful in stir-fries as aromatics. Asafoetida is a spice from India with a very strong smell that, when added to warm oil, tastes much like garlic and onions.

What seasoning can I substitute for onions? ›

What Can I Substitute for Onions?
  • Leeks. As a part of the onion family, leeks are definitely number one on my list. ...
  • Shallots. Like leeks, shallots belong to the same plant family as onions. ...
  • Celery Stalks. ...
  • Chives. ...
  • Fennel. ...
  • Bell Pepper. ...
  • Onion Flakes. ...
  • Onion Powder.
Jun 18, 2023

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