Issues with Onions

courtney123180
courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
in Recipes
Anyone else have the same problem??? I love the flavor that onions give to certain foods, but I can't eat them by themselves or in certain things. Any kind of food that has them raw(especially the red onions) makes me want to puke--I can go somewhere and am told there are no onions in the dish....nope I can pick those suckers out immediately! When my mom used to make hot german potato salad or I've had onion blossoms i can then tolerate/even like the onion taste. Is it just onions as a whole, or do the different kinds taste differently??? So many recipes call for onions, what can I use as an alternative(other than onion powder)???

Replies

  • TatianaSoe
    TatianaSoe Posts: 38 Member
    Have you tried leeks? They do have an oniony taste but are much more mild. I use them in pasta and lighter sauces when I don't want an overpowering onion taste.

    Different types of onions do have different tastes. I find yellow onions to be the most strong tasting, then red onion. Sweet or Vidalia onions are the most mild.

    In recipes that call for onion, most still taste good if you just omit them. My husband doesn't care for onions much so I've done this often.

    Good luck, hope that helps a bit :)
  • GingerLee13
    GingerLee13 Posts: 28 Member
    I love the taste of onions, but not their texture. If its a long cooking soup or stew, I use finely diced onion (in chili, beef stew, pork verde, etc). I also use fine dice when I'm cooking pilaf or risotto. Otherwise I tend to also use leeks in place of onions in most dishes.
  • courtney123180
    courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
    thanks for the suggestions. its just hard for me to eat a lot of healthy meals because they include onions and raw tomatoes...which adds a lot of bulk/fiber without adding bad stuff to your diet. I have learned to like tomatoes, but if i have a choice i pass lol...so maybe the leeks may work :)
  • snapehbp
    snapehbp Posts: 64
    I'm your onion twin!!! No matter how small, I'll find it. The past (almost) two years I just gave up adding salt or any onion powder in my food. Sometimes it's bland but my sodium intake is in control.

    *cringes at onion crunch* gahhhh

    Edit: leeks don't work as a alternative for me, but maybe you... To me, they're too similar.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    In cooked dishes, especially, you might try minced/chopped onions. I mean the dehydrated kind that you find in the spice aisle. I use them a lot for soups/stews and such, as the broth is sufficient to rehydrate them. I also will soak them in just enough warm water to cover them until they are soft, and mix them into things like meatloaf or casseroles. You could also try this in salads or such, just give them plenty of time to soak first. They seem to have a milder flavor, so it may be better than raw.

    Also, since you asked, yes, different kinds of onions have different flavors. Yellow tend to be milder, and red are the sharpest. Wala-wala white are mild and sweet, but I think other white onions are more in the middle.


    ETA: I also have a couple of recipes where I will cook the fresh onion in the dish, but not eat much of it (I cut it in big chunks so it's easier to separate out). That gives the flavor without the chunks. Pot roast is one example. (Since you said you like the flavor but often can't eat the actual onion)
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    Raw onion gives me indigestion something awful, to the point that now I really have an aversion to the taste. I do love cooked onion though, any and all varieties, and all forms of cooking.

    I do like the green part of spring onions, and it doesn't upset my stomach (just my breath). Chives have an onion flavor too, but I don't care for them.
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    Raw onion gives me indigestion something awful, to the point that now I really have an aversion to the taste. I do love cooked onion though, any and all varieties, and all forms of cooking.

    I do like the green part of spring onions, and it doesn't upset my stomach (just my breath). Chives have an onion flavor too, but I don't care for them.

    I found my twin!!

    I can't take raw onions but I have no problem with cooked onions and I used them a lot in my cooking. However, garlic is like poison to me; either cooked or raw. Even the smell makes me puke.
  • TheFatLadyDances
    TheFatLadyDances Posts: 5 Member
    You can eliminate some of the biter flavor by sweating them (cook the juice out) or even better, carmelizing them. To carmelize them, cook them until they are brown and very sweet.
  • courtney123180
    courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
    seriously snapehbp, i can find those suckers anywhere, no matter how small lol
  • courtney123180
    courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
    mathjulz i have been able to basically puree the onions and put them in something like chili. i have no issue putting them in for adding flavor like a pot roast or what not. its just that a lot of healthy recipes(especially salads) like to use onions in them---it would just be great if i could find something similar like the leeks or different to take their spot since i abhor the crunch/flavor of them raw. i am also not an avocado lover lol.
  • courtney123180
    courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
    TheFatLadyDan thanks for the suggestion :)
  • Arthemise1
    Arthemise1 Posts: 365 Member
    Me! Every meal was a fight when I was a kid. I'm Cajun, so everything had onions. I like the taste, but it's the texture I hate, the little crunch against the teeth. I like thin onion rings because they don't have that texture.

    I use onion powder in recipes, and it works fine. I also use big pieces of onion when I want the flavor (and my husband loves them) like in sweet and sour chicken, and then I pick them out.
  • BeginningAgainMay14
    BeginningAgainMay14 Posts: 97 Member
    My first thought was shallots but that might be too similar for you. They are milder and sweeter and more tender than onions, though, and taste like a sweet combination of garlic and onions.
  • ponycyndi
    ponycyndi Posts: 858 Member
    If you're looking for a substitute in salads, maybe try another veggie, like celery? You can add a lot of bulk without much calories, and it has a mild flavor, with the same crunch.
  • missomgitsica
    missomgitsica Posts: 496 Member
    I can't stand onions . . . I've hated them ever since I was a little kid. I always thought I'd grow out of it and that I'd like onions as an adult but nope. If I feel like something absolutely needs onion flavor I'll use onion powder if possible.
  • autotek
    autotek Posts: 66 Member
    I'm Italian and i quote "I HATE ONIONS" lol
    plus i think I'm allergic to them i have to leave the room if someone is cooking with them or I'll throw up

    oops think i just thew up a little in my mouth writing about them:sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:

    oh queens NY far rock away is where I'm from

    I'm probably the only Italian that will ever say that about onions :bigsmile:
  • DivineChoices
    DivineChoices Posts: 193 Member
    I hate most onions. It was to the point that I refused to cook with them but I missed their flavor. I ended up picked up a sweet onion out of curiosity and it made ALL the difference, I can now eat them cooked or raw in dishes. Try different types to see if you find one that works well with your palate.
  • Mygsds
    Mygsds Posts: 1,564 Member
    My husband is the same .... I will cook an onion slowly with water, sometimes broth, strain it and put that in whatever I'm making. Still get the onion taste, but no onion. BUT he loves onion rings.... Go figure..:smile:
  • maryjay52
    maryjay52 Posts: 557 Member
    i put onions and red bell pepper in a lot of my foods for flavor plus they ar good for you. i also buy dried onion flakes for flavoring and when i dont feel like 'eating' onion but want the flavor
  • courtney123180
    courtney123180 Posts: 86 Member
    If you're looking for a substitute in salads, maybe try another veggie, like celery? You can add a lot of bulk without much calories, and it has a mild flavor, with the same crunch.


    thank you sooooo much!!! i honestly feel like an idiot for not thinking of using celery as a substitute :)
  • votkuhr
    votkuhr Posts: 276 Member
    Have you tried caramelizing them? They're wonderful caramelized. Great on/with meat, salads, soups, sandwiches! I made a caramelized onion pasta once, and it was a hit. :)

    http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-caramelize-onions-35933

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