Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Produce
Onions
Sharp and sulfurous raw; sweet, savory, and mellow when cooked.
Lens analyzedOnions are an allium base that can be sharp raw, sweet when cooked, and deeply savory when browned. They build the first layer of flavor in many dishes.
Where it comes from
Onions have been cultivated across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas for centuries because they store well and make simple foods taste fuller.
Varieties — Yellow, white, red, sweet onions, pearl onions, shallots, and green onions each bring different sharpness and sweetness.
Onions are a base for mirepoix, sofrito, masala, adobo, soups, stews, salsas, and stir-fries.
In a modern kitchen — Cut size and heat decide the result: fine dice melts into sauces, wedges stay present, and slow cooking brings sweetness.
Buying it
Choose firm onions with dry skins and no sprouting, soft necks, or mold. Yellow onions are the everyday workhorse; red onions are useful raw; white onions taste clean and sharp.
Storing it
Store whole onions in a cool, dry, ventilated place away from potatoes. Refrigerate cut onions in a sealed container.
Keeps about 1 month in the pantry.
In season
Peak season is August–October, though it's available year-round.
Local onions are common late summer through fall; storage crops and imports support year-round availability.
Out of onions? Good swaps
- Shallots — Sweeter and more delicate.
- Leeks — Milder, especially good in soups.
- Onion powder — Useful for dry rubs and quick sauces.
General cooking guidance — always check the labels on the products you use. Listahan’s allergen checks run automatically when you plan a recipe in the app. Not medical advice.
Recipes that use onions
Common questions about onions
Is onions gluten-free?
Onions is generally gluten-free, but processing and added ingredients vary between brands — check the label if you're cooking for a gluten allergy or coeliac disease.
Is onions vegan?
Onions is generally plant-based and suitable for a vegan diet, but brands differ — confirm on the label.
What can I use instead of onions?
Good swaps include Shallots, Leeks, Onion powder. Each behaves a little differently — see the swaps above for notes, and always check labels for allergens.
How do I store onions?
Store whole onions in a cool, dry, ventilated place away from potatoes. Refrigerate cut onions in a sealed container. It keeps about 1 month in the pantry.
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Make onions about your kitchen — with Listahan Pro
Everything above is free, forever. Pro adds the Household Lens — the same food, seen for your family:
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Checked for each member
Flags onions per person against your household's allergies and school rules — not just a generic "contains" tag.
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Pantry-aware
Knows whether you already have it, what is running low, and the best swap from what is in your kitchen tonight.
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What it costs near you
A real price from the Presyo community index, so you can plan the budget — not guess.
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Your household memory
Who likes it, plus your own private notes — brand, where you keep it, who skips it.
Allergen safety is always free — Pro adds the automation, never the safety.
Cook with onions — safely
Plan a recipe in Listahan and the household allergen check runs automatically — every plan, every swap, every lunchbox. Safety is never paywalled.