Onion Substitutes

Out of onion? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert onion between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the onion converter.

What to use instead of onion

  • Shallot

    Produce swap

    1 small onion (70 g) = 2 to 3 medium shallots (about 80 to 120 g)

    Shallots are milder and sweeter than yellow onion. Use in dressings, pan sauces, and gentle stews; skip when you need the raw bite of a sharp onion.

    See shallot substitutes →

  • Spring Onion

    Produce swap

    1 small onion (70 g) = 1 bunch spring onion whites (about 8 stalks)

    Best raw: salsas, dressings, and garnish. Spring onion whites are much milder than yellow onion, so cook gently or you lose the allium entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for onion?
There are 2 workable substitutes for onion, depending on what you have on hand and which property of onion matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 small onion (70 g) = 2 to 3 medium shallots (about 80 to 120 g). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting onion change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the onion converter
How do I measure onion accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The onion converter on this site converts between whole items, cups, US cups, grams, ounces, and pounds, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the onion converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

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