Onion
Allium cepa
Raw IngredientEssence
The aromatic foundation of global cuisine. No vegetable has shaped more dishes, fed more civilizations, or caused more tears. From French mirepoix to Indian tadka, onion is where cooking begins.
Nutrition Facts per 100g (standard reference)
Source: USDA FoodData Central (approximate per 100g)
History & Origin
Varieties
Yellow Onion
All-purpose workhorse
White Onion
Milder, Mexican cuisine
Red Onion
Best raw, salads, pickled
Sweet Onion (Vidalia)
Low sulfur, no tears
Shallot
Delicate, French sauces
Cooking Methods
Caramelize
Low heat, 45+ minutes for deep sweetness
45-60 minSauté
Medium heat for aromatic base — translucent, not brown
5-10 minPickle
Quick pickle in vinegar for crunch and tang
30 minRaw
Sharp bite for salads, salsas, and garnishes
ImmediateRoast
Whole, high heat until collapsed and sweet
40-50 minWhere It's Used
Recipes Using Onion
만두
South Korean
보쌈
South Korean
잡채
South Korean
잡채
North Korean
갈비탕
South Korean
감자탕
South Korean
김치전
North Korean
꽃게장
North Korean
녹두전
North Korean
닭갈비
South Korean
닭곰탕
North Korean
두부밥
North Korean
불고기
South Korean
삼계탕
South Korean
어묵탕
North Korean
김치찌개
South Korean
된장찌개
South Korean
두부김치
North Korean
송어구이
North Korean
양념치킨
South Korean
콩나물국
South Korean
평양만두
North Korean
평양온반
North Korean
김치볶음밥
South Korean