What Onion is Best For Soup?

Have you found a great soup recipe you want to try out? Onions are used in copious amounts of recipes throughout the world. They are incredibly delicious and versatile. However, since there are so many varieties and types of onions, some are better used in specific recipes. We've done our research for you to find out which kind of onions are best used in soups and other dishes!

So what kind of onion is the best for soups? According to several sources, the yellow onion is the best variety for cooking and soups, including French Onion soup. Red onions have a bit too much of a bold and spicy bit for soups and are best used in raw dishes. Sweet onions are another popular choice for cooking. However, they can add too much sweetness to your soups. White onions are great incorporated raw like in sandwiches and salads. 

Keep reading below for more tips on making your favorite onion soups and great recipes!

What type of onion is best for French onion soup?

French Onion soup is best made using yellow onions. They make your broth delightfully sweet without having to add any additional sugar. Be sure to caramelize them first before adding them to the broth. Some recipes call for sweet onions, but cooking sweet onions for an hour could result in an overly sweet soup. Check out this stellar French Onion soup recipe!

What is the difference between an onion and French onion soup?

French Onion soup is a more complicated dish compared to a regular onion soup dish. French Onion soup requires the onions to be caramelized before being added to the broth. The dish also uses more spices and herbs as ingredients. An easy onion soup only requires broth, onions, and salt and pepper! Onion soup is a great way to use up any extra onions or broth you have around the kitchen.

What is the difference between white and yellow onions?

Both white and yellow onions are great to use in everyday dishes.

White Onions

White onions are named for the white color of their skin and flesh. They're milder and sweeter than yellow onions, making them great to use raw in salads, dips, and guacamole. This type of onion is great if you want that onion flavor but don't want it to be overpowering.

Yellow Onions

Yellow onions are the most popular onions used in cooked recipes. These are the onions that will most likely make your eyes watery when cutting them. The yellow onion has too pungent a flavor and odor to be eaten raw, so it's best to cook them. Their higher sugar content makes this variety perfect for caramelizing, and they're big enough to use for onion rings!

Can you put raw onions in soup?

Raw onions in a soup can be a viable option; however, the texture and flavor profile of the onions might not be what you want them to be. Onions are best used in soups when they are sauteed or roasted before being added to the broth. Sauteeing or roasting your onions adds a new level of flavor and caramelizes them.

How long does it take for onions to cook in soup?

In general, onions can cook in your soup as long as the rest of the soup needs to cook. Onions do not take very long to soften. Most of the time, if you want to add onions to a soup, you should sautee or roast them a little before adding them to the soup. Doing so adds new flavor to the dish you're preparing and also reduces the time the onion must be cooked in the broth.

Recipes recommend sauteeing your onions for up to 10 minutes to have them softened and turn a translucent color before adding them to your soup. If you wish to caramelize your onions, you must cook them in your pan for up to 45 minutes for the best result.

In Closing

If you're trying something new or just doing a bit of research, we hope this article aids you in your onion soup-making skills! Be sure to check out other articles by us for more information!

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