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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! : )
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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
- 34 Recipes with canned tomatoes
- 15 Cannellini bean recipes
- 25+ Green lentil recipes
- 17 Ricotta recipes
- 13 quick pasta ideas
- Artichoke 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.
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Recipes with onions: Roasted Onions
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.
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