SaurabhVidalia onion is a unique variety of sweet onions cultivated in the US.
The name comes from the fact that historically, it was originally grown in Vidalia, Georgia. They are great for boosting the immune system as they are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C.
Let’s learn more about each substitute for Vidalia onions below!
Substitutes for Vidalia Onions
This article shall discuss the best substitutes for Vidalia onions and the recipes they best act as substitutes in. Before we begin, you can take note that 1 tablespoon of onions is equivalent to 3.25 grams of it.
1. White Onions
White onions are overall the best replacement for Vidalia onions. They are the closest in terms of flavor profile to Vidalia and are also very accessible, making them an economical choice.
Although people mention that white onions have a far sweeter and overpowering scent, they actually have a similar texture, flavor, and aroma to Vidalia.
White onions are best used as alternatives when the recipe demands raw Vidalia such as salads, salsa, and dips. It is also prominent in Mexican dishes and can be used in tacos and pickles.
White onions should be substituted for Vidalia in an equal ratio of 1:1 as they are the ideal substitute for them. In terms of whole onions, for every Vidalia onion, use ⅓ of white onion.
2. Shallots
The flavor of shallows is a blend of sweet and spicy. However, when cooked, the sweetness overpowers, and they become a great substitute for Vidalia.
They also tend to be similar to garlic and have a different texture than Vidalia. It is not advised to have shallots raw as they are best when cooked. Due to their strong aroma, Shallots are best used in recipes that demand sautéed Vidalia onions.
One medium shallot is the same as two little stalks of Vidalia onions, hence the ratio to substitute shallots in place of Vidalia is 1:2.
3. Garlic
Replacing garlic for Vidalia is not exactly what it sounds like. Rather than making up for the lack of Vidalia, the overpowering aroma and flavor of garlic mask the absence of it.
However, once cooked, they provide a taste that is similar to what you will get when you use Vidalia. Their easy availability is what makes them a great substitute.
They are a multipurpose substitute for Vidalia due to the difference in their flavor profiles; hence, they work best in recipes like sauces, marinades, sautéed dishes, or toppings for pizzas and pastries.
To use garlic in place of Vidalia onions, a large teaspoon of chopped garlic is enough to compensate for two bulbs of Vidalia onions.
4. Spring Onions
Fresh, tight, spotless spring onions with bright, green-colored leaves are a great substitute for Vidalia, although they might be milder than them. They give the same sweet taste as Vidalia but need to be added in small quantities before increasing over time.
You can use spring onions instead of Vidalia when you want a more grounded taste. You can use them in different curries, vegetable mixes, or raw.
For every Vidalia onion listed in the recipe, use half the sum of spring onions, that is, in the ratio of 2:1. Since they have a strong aroma and flavor, you can also adjust the amount according to your taste.
5. Walla Walla
Walla Walla onions are a sweet and round type of onions that provide the same taste as Vidalia when used in food. Walla Walla has slight hints of spice and bitterness but is sweet overall.
They make great substitutes due to the pleasant aroma and zest in their taste but are very hard to find. Moreover, Walla Walla is only known to be grown in the US.
These onions make perfect substitutes that can be used in onion rings, salads, sandwiches, and roasted vegetable meals.
If you want an exact number, around ½ to 1 spoon of Walla Walla is equivalent to 1 bulb of Vidalia onion.
6. Brown Onion
Brown onions have a strong flavor because they have more sulfur content than white onions. They do not make the best substitutes, but when cooked, they give a mild flavor to the meal.
Brown onions can be substituted in many dishes that require Vidalia to be cooked but are not recommended to be consumed raw.
Brown onions can perfectly replace Vidalia in dishes that demand fried or roasted Vidalia. They should not be used in sandwiches or salads.
Two tablespoons of brown onions are equivalent to one stalk of Vidalia onions. The best way to go about it, however, is to taste test until you get the flavor you want.
7. Red Onion
Red onions or regular onions, may not be the best substitutes for Vidalia because of their strong and slightly pungent smell. However, their availability is a big plus point.
Also, they are not completely unprofitable. You can use red onions instead of Vidalia if you peel them and out them to soak for 30-60 minutes. That way, you will get rid of the pungent aroma and taste which might tamper with your Vidalia recipe.
These are best served as replacements for Vidalia raw or mixed with greens. They are also good when used for making soups.
After going through the procedure mentioned above, red onions can be used to replace Vidalia in the ratio of 1:1.
8. Spanish Yellow Onion
These are, again, not the best substitutes, but they work well when you are in a pinch.
They give off a slightly spicier taste than sweet onions and are drier than them; hence you need to balance this out. You can add honey to balance out the spiciness if it is not to your taste.
Note: Remember to add more water to your dish to make up for the lack of water percentage. They are the best substitutes for when you need to make stocks, broth, soups, sauces, or stews. However, they do not work for recipes that require raw Vidalia.
A Spanish yellow onion bulb is equivalent to two small Vidalia onion bulbs, hence you can substitute them according to the ratio of 1:2.
9. Potato Onions
Potato onions are underground sweet onions with a milder taste and scent.
They make great substitutes as you can use the same quantity as the recipe demands. But they work best for replacing Vidalia in pickles. You can also use them in dishes that require uncooked Vidalia.
You can use it for many different recipes. However, it works best for pickles, vegetable dishes, soups, salads, and stews.
When you have fresh potato onions, you can substitute 1 bulb of Vidalia onion with 1½-2 potato onions as too much can turn the dish too sweet. If the potato onions are dry, the ratio of 1:1 is perfect.
10. Chives
Chives are another easily available substitute sound in supermarkets.
They have a similar taste with a flavor that is not so sharp, hence when substituting chives for Vidalia, sometimes you are required to add more than what the recipe is required.
It is always best to taste test before adding more, as too many dried chives can be overpowering for the dish. Chives can replace Vidalia in various mixed vegetable dishes, caramelized onions, or when needed to be baked.
A tablespoon of Vidalia onions is equivalent to one stalk of fresh chives, hence the ratio should be 1:1 according to how many tablespoons the recipe demands.
11. White Bermuda Onions
These onions can be hard to find, which is a downside. However, if you have some around, white Bermuda onions can make a great substitute for Vidalia due to their juicy and sweet flavor.
They are great for using raw or sliced in sandwiches as well and are most popular in the US. You can use them as a substitute for Vidalia in soups, stews, or pickles.
White Bermuda onions can be used in the ratio of 1:1 as they taste and bring out the same flavor as Vidalia.
12. Any Sweet Onion
Any type of sweet onions will make a great replacement for Vidalia as they belong in the same category of sweet, succulent, and less pungent-smelling onions.
Apart from the onions mentioned above, you can go for Maui onions, Texas onions, or the hybrid Granex onions as well.
You can use all types of sweet onions for all kinds of dishes requiring Vidalia such as onion rings, salads, sandwiches, or roasting vegetables.
The ratio for any of these sweet onions in place of Vidalia onions is 1:1.
Related Questions
Can I Use Yellow Onion Instead of Vidalia?
You can use yellow onions instead of Vidalia onions. However, they are not the best substitute for them. They are sweeter and need more water added to the dish.
Can You Substitute Sweet Onion for Vidalia?
You can use sweet onions in place of Vidalia as they are also a type of sweet onion. However, not all sweet onions are Vidalia.
Are Vidalia Onions and Sweet Onions the Same Thing?
Vidalia is sweet onions due to their flavor, but not all sweet onions are Vidalia as they need to meet certain qualifications.
1 comment
This website helped me out a lot with subsitutions. Thank you!