Onion powder is a dry spice ground from the dried onion.
It can be used in many dishes to add flavor and a pleasant taste.
Onions are jam packed with numerous powerful nutrients such as chromium, selenium, sulfur, zinc, and copper.
No, granulated onion is made of dehydrated onions with the moisture removed so it can be stored for a longer period.
Onion powder is made of dried, ground-up onions that are re-hydrated in the cooking process.
Using granulated onions or onion powder is an excellent way of introducing the onion taste into the recipe in small quantities.
They have a lower cook time than whole onions and can save time in preparation.
Granulated onion has a grainy, sandy texture while onion powder is simply ground up dried onion.
Many people use granulated onions in their recipes.
When combined with a wide range of ingredients, they can give a rustic or raw appearance without the simple look you might get from onion powder.
Granules are typically used in dishes like meatballs or many types of traditional ethnic foods.
Onion powder is a thin and light ingredient that easily blends into other foods.
They make an excellent choice for adding a small amount of the onion taste to a dish without overpowering the dish like whole onions can.
Onion powder can be used in recipes like meatloaf or casseroles that don’t benefit from more texture
( In this article I cover the health benefits of pickled onions, and are pickled onions good for you?).
This is because it is ground finer than an onion, so it will blend well with any dish like soup or stew where you are not looking to thicken the meal.
Onion powder can be added to any salad dressing or sauce, or sprinkled directly on any finished dish.
How much onion powder is equal to the granulated onion?
When substituting powdered onion in a recipe, you’ll need to use half the amount when compared to the fresh.
Remember that while powdered onion may give a more subtle flavor, you get a lot more of it because it is in a compact form.
Both products are safe to eat and both will provide you with a similar amount of nutrients.
Onion powder is made from grinding or grating onions into a fine, dry powder.
Onion granules are made by drying whole onions and then crushing them into small pieces.
Onion powder is often preferred over onion granules because it results in a smoother, more consistent flavor and texture in foods.
Just like onions, both granulated onions and onion powder have all the nutrients found in raw onion.
High levels of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals make onion powder or granulated onion an excellent addition to every meal.
What is a good substitute for onion powder?
Although onions are a healthy, nutritious vegetable, the taste of onions can be overpowering.
Depending on the variety of onions, they are a pungent, often sweet vegetable with a powerful, distinctive onion taste that can often take over a dish.
If onions aren’t for you, there are other vegetables that are close cousins to onions that have a milder taste.
1. Scallions
Scallions are an excellent addition to any dish that calls for onion powder.
2. Shallots
Shallots are often mistaken for red onions.
Shallots can be added raw to salads or stir-fried till golden brown.
Deep-fried shallots are a delicious garnish for soups and stews.
Crispy, flavorful, and rich in texture, they are a frequent addition to dishes in Asian cuisine.
3. Onion Paste
Onion paste is a sauce made from onions and oil.
It is used as a condiment in Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern European cuisines.
Onion paste is made by chopping up onions and blending it.
You can freeze the puree in an ice tray and pull them out when you need to use some
For dishes where you normally use onion powder, substitute with one or two tablespoons of onion paste.
4. Onion Flakes
A quick, easy substitute for onion powder in onion flakes.
Onion flakes are dehydrated onions that have not been ground into powder.
5. Jarred Minced Onion
Another onion-related item is minced onion.
This is a dried onion that has been ground more coarsely but isn’t as fine as powder.
You would use one tablespoon jarred minced onion per teaspoon of onion powder.
6. Fresh Onion
Fresh onions have a more concentrated flavor and a high water content.
Use roughly three tablespoons of finely chopped onion for each tablespoon of onion powder.
7. Granulated Onion
Onion granules can be a great alternative to onion powder.
Granulated onion is made from dehydrating onions and storing.
Onion granules are made from whole or sliced onions that have been dehydrated or freeze-dried.
8. Leeks
Leeks are in the same family as onions and can be used in its place.
Soups, stews, or stir-fries are popular ways to use leeks.
9. Onion Salt
Onion salt is a seasoning that’s simply onion powder or granulated onions and salt.
Chefs use salt to balance flavors and create a pleasant flavor.
10. Chopped Chives
Chopped chives can lend onion-like flavor and pre-cut appearance for dishes that call for a dry spice mix, but they are not that great in recipes that call for cooked or chopped onion.
They make a great garnish to add onion flavor to your dish.
Is onion powder OK for low Fodmap?
No, onion powder is not ok to eat on the low FODMAP diet, especially in large quantities.
People on a low FODMAP diet typically have gastrointestinal disorders and eating onions can exacerbate digestive problems.
Onion powder is not recommended for people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, or another type of stomach or digestive disorder.
The high FODMAP content in onion powder can exacerbate stomach pains and other gastrointestinal issues.
FODMAP is an acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols.
It stands for the types of short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed by the human gut and can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
The low FODMAP diet is a type of diet that restricts the types of foods that can be eaten.
It is for people who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other related digestive issues.
The diet cuts out several common foods that might be high FODMAP.
This type of dietary meal plan is frequently used for the treatment of people with gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
The low FODMAP diet is based on the idea that certain sugars and polysaccharides in food may cause stomach upset in some people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Restricting these types of sugars and polysaccharides in food may reduce bloating, gas, or pain associated with IBS.
Other foods that a low FODMAP diet avoids are:
- Some vegetables like onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
- Fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, prunes, and apricots
- Beans and lentils
- Wheat and rye
- Bread
- Cereals
- Pasta
- Dairy products
- Ice cream
- Nuts like pistachios and cashews
- Artificial sweeteners
- Honey
- Alcohol
- Sports drinks
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.