Onions: Peeling back the layers of nature’s most versatile vegetable

Onions are a versatile vegetable used in various cuisines around the world. They come in different types, each with its own flavor profile and use.  Color, shape, and texture also distinguish each variety of onion. At Food Town, we carry an assortment of fresh onions so you can make flavorful meals.

Here are some common types of onions you can find at Food Town:

Yellow Onions: These are the most common types of onions. They have a strong, pungent flavor and are a staple in many savory dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces. They caramelize well when cooked, adding a sweet richness to dishes.  Here is a recipe for caramelized onions using yellow onions. https://www.yourfoodtown.com/recipe/caramelized-onions/

White Onions: White onions have a milder flavor compared to yellow onions and a slightly sweeter taste. They have a crisp texture and are often used in Mexican or Latin American cuisine, raw in salads, or in dishes where a less assertive onion flavor is desired. Try using them to make these crispy onion rings: https://www.yourfoodtown.com/recipe/beer-battered-fried-onion-rings/

Red Onions (Purple onion): Known for their vibrant purple-red color, red onions have a mild to moderate flavor with a slightly sweet undertone. They are commonly used in sandwiches, salads, and salsas, where their color adds visual appeal and distinct flavor. Red onions can also be pickled which creates a slightly different flavor profile.

Sweet Onions: Varieties like Vidalia and Texas Sweet are known for their high sugar content and mild flavor. Due to their low sulfur content, which lessens the pungent odor and harshness Sweet Onions are excellent for eating raw in salads and sandwiches, as well as grilling or caramelizing

Shallots: Shallots have a mild, delicate flavor with a hint of garlic. They have a more subtle taste compared to other onions and are often used in vinaigrettes, sauces, and dressings. Shallots also work well in dishes where a mild onion flavor is desired without overpowering other ingredients.

Green Onions (Scallions/Spring Onions): These onions have long green stalks with small white bulbs. They have a mild flavor, making them suitable for raw consumption in salads or garnishes for various dishes. Spring onions are also used in stir-fries, soups, and Cajun cuisine.

Bulb Onions (Cebollitas Cambray): Sweet bulb onions look like green onions and scallions with one exception—bulb onions have a larger bulb at the end, about the size of a ping-pong ball. Unlike scallions, which are harvested before the bulb starts to form, bulb onions are picked after the bulbs are a larger size. They have a mild flavor and are perfect for grilling, roasting, and braising. Bulb onions are great for stews or caramelized to use with meats.

Leeks: Leeks have large green stalks with a sweet, mild flavor and a hint of onion and garlic. They are commonly used in soups, stews, and casseroles, as well as in dishes where a subtle onion flavor is desired. Because of their slightly tough texture, they are often sautéed or braised to soften them.

Experimenting with different types of onions can add depth and complexity to your dishes.

Food Town knows that each onion has a distinct flavor and culinary use – that’s why we carry a large variety of the freshest onions at great prices for our customers.