Onion Powder adds so much flavor to our recipes that when you are out or can’t find it, it’s tough to make the recipe come out the same. These onion powder subsititutes are the best options to use when you’re in a pinch.
As the name suggests, onion powder is made from dehydrated onions that have been ground into powder form. It’s a brilliant substitute for real onions, as it evenly disburses flavor through the dish without compromising the recipe’s texture.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to onion powder. So, if your recipe calls for onion powder like the Microwavable Scrambled Eggs, Spinach and Ricotta Savory Slab Pie or Air Fryer Chicken Livers and you don’t have it available, the list below features the best onion powder substitutes you can use in place of the real deal.
Open up the pantry and look for all the options. You most likely have more than one to choose from.
Always check your garden as you may have exactly what you need! Chopped chives (member of the allium family), leeks, spring onions and green onions (scallions) work great in a pinch and will give your recipe that fresh punch that dried powder never will.
In a Hurry? Here’s an Overview
| Substitute Ingredient | Recommended Ratio |
| Fresh Onion | 3 tablespoons for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Onion Flakes | 2:1 |
| Jarred Minced Onion | 2:1 |
| Onion Salt | 1:1 |
| Onion Paste | 2 teaspoons for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Garlic Powder | ½ teaspoon for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Garlic Salt | ½ teaspoon for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Fennel Bulb | 3 tablespoons for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Celery | 3 to 4 tablespoons for every teaspoon of onion powder |
| Celery Seed | 2:1 for whole celery seeds; 1:1 for ground celery seeds |
| Shallots | 1 shallot for every ¾ tablespoon of onion powder |
Top 11 Substitutes
Don’t have onion powder to hand? No problem! Here are some of the best onion powder substitutes to use:
Fresh Onion
Onion powder is literally just dehydrated onions ground into powder, so fresh onion is often the next best alternative for onion powder.
However, there are several factors to keep in mind when using fresh ones as a substitute for powdered.
Onion powder is much more concentrated in terms of flavor, so you’ll have to use a lot more of the fresh stuff for it to adequately substitute for the powdered version. This means that for every teaspoon required in the recipe, you’ll have to substitute it with three tablespoons of freshly chopped onion. Alternatively, for every tablespoon of onion powder use ½ cup of chopped onion.
Furthermore, fresh onion contains 86% water, while the powdered variety contains near zero. If the recipe specifically calls for onion powder, like in fried chicken, for example, fresh onion might not work unless you mince it finely.
You’ll also have to dry the onion out as much as possible before adding it to the dish so as to not impact the liquid content of the recipe. If you don’t, the onions might turn mushy and ruin your dish.
Recipes using fresh onions: Beef and Kale Soup, Hash brown Quiche Cups or Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad.
How Much Onion Powder Equals One Onion?
| Onion Size | Onion Powder / Onion Flakes Substitute |
|---|---|
| Small Onion Chopped | 1 tsp Onion Powder or 1 tbsp Onion Flakes |
| Medium Onion Chopped | 1 tbsp Onion Powder or ¼ cup Onion Flakes |
| Large Onion Chopped | 1 ½ tbsp Onion Powder or 5 tbsp Onion Flakes |
Onion Flakes
Onion flakes are another fantastic alternative to onion powder, as onion flakes are dehydrated onions that haven’t been ground fine. You can use the flakes as is or grind them with a mortar and pestle.
If you’re planning to use the flakes as is, use a 2:1 flakes-to-powder ratio. So, for every teaspoon required in the dish, substitute it with two teaspoons of onion flakes.
If you’re grinding the flakes into powder, it is just a simple 1:1 substitute. Toss these into your blender for a quick zap and you have powder in seconds. Back up option is a coffee bean grinder that is used just for spices.
Recipes using Onion Flakes: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, Black Bean Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes and Air Fryer Sweet Asian Chili Wings.
Minced Onion
In terms of texture, minced onion falls in between onion flakes and onion powder. It isn’t as coarse as the flakes, but it isn’t as fine as the powder.
It is made by dehydrating pre-minced onion. So, if a recipe calls for a cup of fresh onions, you can easily rehydrate them by soaking about three tablespoons of minced onions with three tablespoons of boiling hot water.
To replace onion powder with minced onion, use a 2:1 substitute. For every teaspoon of onion powder required, use two teaspoons of minced onion.
Recipes that use Minced Onions: Instant Pot Ribs, Air Fryer Egg Cups, Air Fryer Turkey Legs.
Onion Salt
Onion salt is another excellent substitute that packs just as much flavor as onion powder.
It is simply onion powder that has salt added to it, making it a near-perfect substitute. It’s great for fried chicken, soups, marinades, stews, tomato dishes, and a bunch of other recipes.
On average, onion salt has about 450 milligrams of sodium as opposed to 575 milligrams in the same size serving of table salt. As such, you’ll have to reduce the salt content in your dish when using it.
To substitute onion salt with onion powder, use a 1:1 measurement and adjust the salt in your dish accordingly.
Recipes to use Onion Salt: Air Fryer Chicken Livers, Air Fryer Jerk Chicken, Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Onion Paste
Onion paste is usually my go-to alternative for onion powder because it packs a lot of flavors and adds a bit of freshness to the dish.
Onion paste is made by pureeing fresh onion until it turns into a smooth paste. It’s then stored in the fridge. Some people add cloves, black peppercorns, cinnamon, salt, and other seasonings to further enhance the onion flavor.
If you have too much, don’t toss it out. You can freeze them in a little ice cubes tray or freezer safe bags. All of our Freezer 101 tips can be found on a handy dandy freebie printable. When you are in a printing mode, snag the editable freezer labels as well.
Use a 2:1 substitute when using onion paste in place of onion powder. This means for every teaspoon of onion powder required, use two teaspoons of onion paste. You’ll also have to reduce the liquid content of your dish just slightly.
If you’re using pre-seasoned onion paste, make sure to reduce the overall seasoning in your dish so as to not overpower the flavor, especially in soup, stews and sauces.
Recipes to use Onion Paste: Smoked Chicken Thighs, Smoked Chuck Roast, Grilled Sausage Breakfast Casserole.
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder tastes different than onion powder, but it is close and won’t compromise the overall flavor profile of the final dish.
Moreover, they share the same texture, making garlic powder an easy substitute.
Since garlic powder is slightly more robust in flavor, use half a teaspoon for every teaspoon of onion powder required, and gradually increase to your taste.
Recipes to use Garlic Powder: Jamaican Swordfish, Lamb Chops, Smoked Turkey Breast.
Garlic Salt
Just like onion salt, garlic salt is a mixture of garlic powder and salt. It’s not as fine as the powders, but it still makes for a great substitute in most recipes; particularly in casseroles, pastas, soups, and stocks.
Garlic salt contains about 320 milligrams of sodium per quarter of a teaspoon, which is almost three times the amount found in onion salt. As such, if you’re planning to use garlic salt, adjust the other salt in your dish.
Use half a teaspoon for every teaspoon of onion powder—and take note of the salt content it’ll add to the dish.
If you’re following a specific diet that requires you to cut back on sodium, it’s best to skip this alternative. The same goes for onion salt; replace it with a different substitute from this list.
Recipes to use Garlic Salt: Air Fryer Kielbasa, Air Fryer Whole Chicken, Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Fennel Bulb
Fennel bulb is just as flavorful and aromatic as onions, so it’s not surprising that you can use it in lieu of onion powder.
It has a bit of anise-like taste to it, which might turn off some people, but as long as you use it sparingly until you know you like it, it will be just fine!
Fennel bulb is also a great way to add a bit of texture to your recipe, which is particularly welcome in stews, meat dishes, and selected soups.
When using fennel bulbs as a substitute, follow the same instructions as fresh onions. Fennel bulbs have more or less the same amount of water, so you’ll have to dehydrate or dry the bulbs as much as you can before using them. If you want to skip the dehydration process and get straight to cooking, you might need to reduce the water content of your dish.
Celery Stalk
Celery adds a welcome aromatic flavor to your dish. It doesn’t taste as pungent as onion powder, so you might want to increase the vegetables or seasonings of the recipe to achieve a more layered and complex flavor. You can never go wrong with more veggies, right?
If you’re using it in a stew, reduce the liquid to compensate for the high moisture content.
For every teaspoon of onion powder required, use about three to four tablespoons of finely chopped celery.
Celery Seed
Celery seed adds a similar note to a dish without greatly compromising the texture or flavor. You can use the seeds “as is”, or you can use a mortar and pestle to grind them into a powder.
As you might expect, celery seeds taste a lot like celery. It has a savory, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor that’s amplified when used in powdered form.
Use a 2:1 substitute when using whole celery seeds, or a 1:1 substitute when using ground celery seeds.
Shallots
Shallots sweet and subtle flavor replaces onion powder when you are making soups, salads, meatloaf or any recipe where it wouldn’t matter if there is a solid replacement vs a spice blend. Make a batch of Air Fryer Shallots and you can easily crunch them up for a great replacement in powdered form.
How to Onion Powder
Nothing can truly replace the taste and texture of onion powder, so if you have a bit of time in your hands, consider making your own onion powder from scratch. It’s cheap, safe, and tastes significantly better than store-bought versions.
Here’s how to make it:
- Peel the onion and chop it as small as you can.
- If you have a dehydrator, place the chopped onions inside and let them dry for about 3 to 9 hours at 125˚F. If you don’t have one, spread the chopped onions on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for one to three hours at 150˚F. You’ll know the onions are ready when they crumble easily in your hands.
- Remove the onions from the dehydrator/oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the dried onions into a spice mill, a food processor, or a coffee grinder and grind them up into a powdered form. You can also use a mortar and pestle if you don’t have the other options available.
- Store the freshly-made onion powder in an air-tight container and place it in a cool, dry place.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks; our top 10 list of the best onion powder substitutes to use in place of the real thing!
If your recipe doesn’t have room for substitutes and you have fresh onions to spare, you can easily make premium onion powder right in the comfort of your home. Home-made onion powder retains its flavor for up to a year when properly stored.
Good luck!
Related Recipes
How to Make Homemade Onion Powder
Equipment
- Dehydrator
Ingredients
- 4 Onions
Instructions
- Peel the onions and chop it as small as you can. If you have a dehydrator, place the chopped onions inside and let them dry for about 3 to 9 hours at 125˚F.
- If you don't, spread the chopped onions into a baking sheet and place them in the oven for 1 to 3 hours at 150˚F. You'll know the onions are ready when they crumble easily in your hands.
- Remove the onions from the dehydrator/oven and let them cool for about 15 minutes.
- Transfer the dried onions into a spice mill, a food processor, or a coffee grinder and grind them up into a powdered form. You can also use a mortar and pestle if you don't have the above options available.
- Store the freshly-made onion powder in an air-tight container and place it in a cool, dry place.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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