Flavor Story: Chopped Onion

Flavor Profile

If you love the flavor of chopped onion but hate all the peeling and dicing—and crying!—dried chopped onions are the perfect shortcut. McCormick dried onions start as whole, white onions that have been peeled, dehydrated and chopped. During the drying process, they take on a toastier, richer flavor than fresh onions, making them the perfect choice for adding sweet onion flavor to any and all dishes. Use them in dips, soups, stews, casseroles, egg dishes, hamburgers, salad dressings—anywhere you’d like to punch up the flavor. We love them in raw vegetable and bean salads. One whiff of the open bottle will bring you the toasty, slightly sweet aroma of lightly sautéed fresh onions.

Usage

• You can use chopped dried onions in any recipe that calls for fresh onions. If the recipe contains liquid, as in a soup, slow-cooked stew, curry or salad dressing, just throw the dried onions in when you add the liquid.
• For use in quick-fix recipes, such as chopped vegetable and bean salads, stir-fries and baked chicken or fish, we like to hydrate the onions first. Soak them in warm water for five or so minutes. Drain and proceed with the recipe.
• Once onions have been dried, their flavor is more intense than fresh. You only need two tablespoons of chopped dried onion to equal 1/2 cup chopped fresh onion.

Perfect Partners

• We think dried onions make the best onion dip. Stir them into sour cream, along with ground black pepper, garlic powder, parsley flakes and a bit of salt. Chill for at least an hour to let the flavors develop. Then crack out the chips!
• Beef and onions have a longstanding affinity that crosses cultures and continents. Chili, beef stew, meatballs, meat sauce for pasta, hamburgers, meatloaf, kebabs, taco filling, skillet supper—the possibilities are endless.
• Dried onions aren’t just for cooked dishes. They make it easy to kick up the flavor of any salad, whether dressed with mayonnaise or a vinaigrette. Think tuna, chicken, egg, potato, beans, grains and raw veggies.

Substitutes

Q: If I don’t have dried chopped onion on hand, what makes a good substitute?

A: Dried onion in any form—minced or powdered—can be substituted for chopped onion. Use a smaller quantity of minced and even less powdered onion as stand-ins for chopped. Fresh chopped onion is another good option. One medium-size chopped fresh onion equals 1/4 cup dried onion.

History/Fun Facts

In the Middle Ages, onions were thought to predict the severity of winter. If the skins were thin at harvest time, the weather would be mild. But if they were thick, winter would be long and cold. Of course, people at the time also thought onions could cure snakebites and hair loss! Today, we just enjoy them for their sharp, sweet flavor.

Sourcing/Quality

McCormick chopped dried onions begin in the field as whole, white onion bulbs, harvested at the peak of flavor. We wash and trim them, then gently dehydrate to preserve their bold, sweet flavor and light color. With McCormick, you can count on consistent flavor, color and aroma in every jar.

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