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    Recipes with onions: 16 delicious ideas

    Mar 30, 2022 by Katia · Leave a Comment

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

    Four different images showing onion recipes.

    I’m here with a collection of 16 delicious recipes with onions to show you just how good, healthy, and versatile these humble root vegetables can be.

    Bring on the onions and enjoy! : )

    Top view of a baking tray full of roasted onions with thyme and breadcrumbs.
    Roasted onions

    What I love about onions is how affordable and versatile they are in the kitchen.

    This basic pantry staple can go a long way, from epic French onion soups, flavorsome pastas and pizzas, as well as creamy dips, delicious side dishes, onion rings and salads.

    Yes, onions are able to shine in so many different dishes!

    But before we get to all the delicious recipes below, let’s see first why you should include them into your daily diet!

    Are onions vegetables?

    Yes. Onions are vegetables, members of the Allium family which also includes chives, garlic, and leeks. All these vegetables have pungent flavors and are extremely good for your health.

    Are onions good for you?

    Absolutely. Onions are a nutrient-dense food, meaning that they are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide several health benefits, these may include reducing the risk of several types of cancer, improving mood, and maintaining skin and hair health. Yes, onions are amazingly good for our health.

    Recipes with onions

    And if you wonder what to do with onions, these delicious 16 onion recipes are great to turn the inexpensive roots into a delicious family meal.

    1. Pasta with caramelized onions

    Let’s start with an easy pasta recipe! You’ll be surprised how this delicious pasta with caramelized onions turns inexpensive staples into a YUMMY pasta dish that’s juicy, comforting and full of flavor.

    Top view of onion pasta with parmesan, one of these delicious recipes with onions.

    2. Easy roasted onions

    Baked until soft and golden, these roasted onions with fresh thyme and breadcrumbs make a side dish that’s healthy, economical and delicious. This is a great way to use up lots of onions that you might have lurking in the pantry, and it’s super easy to whip up!

    Top view of roasted onions with thyme and breadcrumbs over a white background.

    3. Caramelized onions

    Rich, sweet, and deeply golden brown, these simple caramelized onions add complexity to pastas, soups, and more. Learn how to cook them perfectly every time!

    Top view of a black cast iron pan full of caramelized onions.

    4. Onion Chutney

    This super easy onion chutney turns a bunch of onions, sugar and vinegar into a delicious versatile condiment that pairs beautifully with cheese, crusty bread, sandwiches and BBQs. It’s also happened to be inexpensive, vegan and gluten free.

    5. Onion pizza

    Onions on pizza? Oh yes! In this crispy vegetarian pizza the soft marinated onions release their sweetness in the oven pairing beautifully with creamy mozzarella and olives. The recipe uses my super easy one-bowl pizza dough: no kneading, no stand mixer, no mess.

    Top view of a large onion pizza with black olives cut into slices.
    The Clever Meal

    6. Winter salad

    Impress for less with this stunning winter salad! It turns inexpensive root vegetables into a flavorful side dish or main salad that’s hearty, seasonal, and delicious. It’s also super versatile, you can jazz it up with add-ins of your choice, the recipe is perfect for any occasion!

    Top view of a white serving tray with  roasted vegetables, chickpeas and onions.
    The Clever Meal

    7. Pickled red onions

    If you want to jazz up your next salad or bowl? These pickled red onions are the best way to give almost any dish a bright pop of flavor. Not only are they a gorgeous, vibrant pink, but they’re tangy, sweet, and a little crunchy. 

    Glass jars full or pickled red onions over a white background.
    Found on Love & Lemons

    8. Buttery whole roasted onions

    These roasted onions are soft, sweet and perfect for serving alongside other roasted vegetables or meats. They’re are just as good and can be used in so many ways.

    Top view of a baking pan full of roasted whole onions with bay leaves.
    Found on Inspired Taste

    9. Tomato onion salad

    Get the most of your fresh red onions and tomatoes with this vibrant salad. It’s quick to make, healthy, and packed with fresh big flavor! Serve it with crusty panini bread, olive focaccia or pesto bread for a light yet filling summer lunch or terrific BBQ side dish!

    Top view of a white serving tray full of tomato and onion salad served with crusty bread.
    The Clever Meal

    10. Gluten-free onion rings

    These onion rings are simple to make and require only 9 ingredients and 30 minutes to make! Simply slice onions into rings and dredge in a mixture of brown rice, cornmeal, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper. It’s as easy as that.

    Top view of red baskets full of fried onion rings.
    Found on Minimalist Bakers

    11. Mediterranean bean salad

    Here’s a speedy Mediterranean salad that combines fluffy beans with crispy cucumbers, tomatoes, savory olives and delicious red onions. All tossed in a fresh lemon garlic dressing and oregano. For a super yummy and substantial meal, l love to serve it with crusty panini bread, warm focaccia or olive focaccia.

    Top view of a brown salad bowl full of white bean salad with tomatoes and red onions.
    The Clever Meal

    12. French onion soup

    This incredible onion soup is probably one of the most popular soups in this whole wide world. The caramelized, intensely sweet onions forms an incredible flavour base for the broth. And the cheesy bread on top is a must!

    Close-up of a white bowl full of delicious French onion soup.
    Found on Recipes Tin Eats

    13. Caramelized baby onions

    I love this recipe, the super tender baby onions are gently glazed with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup, giving them a delicate caramel flavor. They are perfect as an appetizer but can also be added to salads, stir-fries, and more.

    Top view of a black cast iron pan full of caramelized baby onions.
    Found on Full of Plants

    14. Caramelized onions with red wine gravy

    This caramelized onion and red wine vegan gravy are sweet, rich, golden brown and develop a gorgeous caramelized flavour. It’s such a simple, delicious side dish that everyone will love!

    Close-up of a white bowl full of caramelized onion with red wine gravy.
    Found on Lauren Caris Cooks

    15. Onion French onion dip

    If we say recipes with onions, we can’t skip a proper homemade onion dip recipe made from scratch by making your own caramelised onion. You will never get this flavour in store bought dip. It’s seriously incredible!

    Close-up of a black bowl full of creamy onion dip.
    Found on Recipes Tin Eats

    16. Green bean casserole

    These crunchy green beans are blanketed in a creamy parmesan mushroom sauce and showered with crispy french fried onions. Crispy onions make everything so delicious!

    Top view of a black baking pan full of green bean and onion casserole.
    Found on How Sweet Eats

    Tips & notes

    Types of onions

    Not all onions are created equal, they vary slightly in flavor, texture, and color but they can usually be substituted for one another:

    • Yellow onions: these are the most popular onions, with a nice balance of astringency and sweet in their flavor, they’re suitable for most uses in the kitchen: raw, sautéed, caramelized, roasted, baked.
    • Red onions: their mild sweet flavor and bright color are great when eaten raw, roasted and grilled. They’re perfect for salads and sandwiches.
    • White onions: they’re less popular than their previous counterparts, they’ have a sharper and more pungent flavor and are mostly used for white sauce and raw salsas. They can be used raw, grilled, sautéed.
    • Sweet onions: more perishable than regular onions, this variety lacks the sharp, astringent taste of other onions and do taste sweet. They are lovely thinly sliced and served in salads or on top of sandwiches. 

    How to store onions?

    According to the National Onion Association (NOA), the best way to store onions is a in a cool, dry, and dark space, especially in a well-ventilated room, such as a pantry, cellar, or basement.

    Refrigeration is only necessary when trying to extend the shelf life of sweet onion varieties or you need to store cut onions in a sealed container (for up to 7 days) You can also freeze cut onions to use for cooking.

    Top view of a chopping board with red onions cut into wedges.

    How long do onions last?

    If properly stored in a cool dry place like a cellar, whole raw onions can last for up to two months.

    More recipe collections?

    Gathering similar recipes all in one place is so handy and offers ideas about how to use up basic ingredients that you might have in your pantry or in your fridge! Here are a few of my favorites:

    • 40 Meatless meals
    • 15 Fresh mint recipes
    • 34 Recipes with canned tomatoes
    • 15 Cannellini bean recipes
    • 25+ Green lentil recipes
    • 17 Ricotta recipes
    • 13 quick pasta ideas
    • Artichoke recipes
    • 15 Mozzarella recipes

    If you try one of these delicious recipes with onions, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it or tag a photo #theclevermeal on Instagram.

    And for more recipe updates, subscribe my newsletter and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

    Top view of a baking sheet full of crispy onion wedges roasted with thyme.
    Print Recipe

    Recipes with onions: Roasted Onions

    These collection of recipes with onions show you just how good these humble root vegetables can be. These roasted onions are a great idea to turn a bag of onions into a delicious, healthy ,versatile side dish!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Keyword: recipes with onions
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 622kcal
    Author: Katia

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ lb  (670 grams)  onions, peeled and cut into quarters (any color)
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
    • ¼ cup breadcrumbs, use more if needed
    • a few sprigs of fresh thyme
    • salt and pepper, to sprinkle

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
    • Peel and cut each onion into quarters, from the top to the bottom, and put them in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and toss gently with your hands (coating the onion with olive oil adds flavor and helps the breadcrumbs to stick to them).
    • Place the onion wedges onto the baking tray, season generously with salt and pepper and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over them. Add the thyme, both sprigs and leaves, and finish with an extra drizzle of oil (I use olive oil spray here, easy to distribute evenly).
    • Roast them on the middle shelf for at least 40 minutes or until the onions are soft and golden.
    • Serve them immediately or let them to rest a bit until warm, and serve with fresh chopped parsley if you wish.

    Notes

    Storage: they keep well in the fridge in airtight container for up to 3 days.
    Nutrition facts: the nutrition values are  for one serving and are based on an online nutrition calculator.  It’s an estimate only and it should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please see my disclosure policies. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 1031mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 3mg
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    Hi, I’m Katia! Welcome to my blog where I share easy, delicious, and budget-friendly recipes. I love cooking mainly vegetarian meals in no time at all. Minimum effort, maximum result. Read more…

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