15 Ways to Use Your Dried Onions
Drying onions is a great way to preserve your harvest—it’s a gateway to endless kitchen creativity!
If you have more onions than you can handle, no need to cry! Simply dry them. It’s a fantastic way to preserve their flavor for months and surprisingly easy. Use them for homemade onion powder to fancy salt blends. With a little patience, you’ll have a stash of flavor-packed dried onions that can elevate everything from simple snacks to hearty meals. Turn your homestead kitchen into a culinary powerhouse!
Step 1: Prep Your Onions
Peel and slice your onions around 1/8 inch. Do it by hand or use a food processor. The thinner they are, the faster and more evenly they’ll dry. To avoid the tear-fest, chill your onions in the fridge before slicing. (Or wear swimming goggles, no judgment here.)
Step 2: Dry Your Onions
- In a Dehydrator: Lay the onion slices on the trays in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t overlapping. Set the dehydrator to 135°F (57°C) and leave them to dry for 6-10 hours. Check them regularly until they’re crisp.
- In the Oven: No dehydrator? No problem! Place your onions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set your oven to its lowest temperature (around 150°F or 65°C) and leave the door slightly ajar. Depending on their thickness, this will take 6-12 hours.
- The Rustic Air-Dry Method: String up whole onions in a cool, dry place with good airflow. This could take a few weeks, but you’ll feel like you’re in a scene from Little House on the Prairie.
Step 3: Store Your Onions
Once your onions are fully dried and crunchy, store them in an airtight container away from light and heat for up to a year!
16 Uses For Dried Onions
- Make Onion Powder: Blitz dried onions in a blender or spice grinder until you’ve got a fine powder. Use it in soups, stews, and meat rubs. Add chili powder, cumin, and paprika for Taco seasoning. Homemade onion powder tastes way better than the store-bought kind!
- Onion Salt: Mix 1 tablespoon of onion powder with 2 tablespoons of salt for a delicious seasoning blend. Add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano to your onion salt blend. Try a 2:1 ratio of salt to herbs, plus onion powder, to make a gourmet seasoning. This is perfect for seasoning meats, roasted veggies, popcorn, or fries for an extra flavor punch.
- Burger Boost: Soak dried onions in water or balsamic vinegar for a few minutes to rehydrate them, then toss them into your ground meat mixture for the perfect patty.
- Pizza Topper: Sprinkle dried onions over your pizza before baking to add a punchy, caramelized flavor .
- Homemade Onion Dip: Stir your onion powder into sour cream with some garlic powder and chives for an easy and tasty dip.
- Baked Bread Flavor: Mix dried onions into your dough for onion-flavored bread that pairs perfectly with soups or stews.
- Roast Rub: For a killer meat rub, add dried onions to a blend of garlic, paprika, and black pepper.
- Stir-Fry Shortcut: Toss a handful of dried onions into your stir-fry for quick flavor without chopping.
- Homemade Croutons: Mix dried onions with olive oil and seasonings, then toss with cubed bread and bake until crispy.
- Salad Topper: Rehydrate dried onions with balsamic vinegar and add to salads for a punchy, sweet flavor without the harshness of raw onions.
- Egg Scramble: Sprinkle dried onions into your eggs while cooking. They’ll soften up and add a perfect touch of flavor.
- Marinade Magic: Rehydrate dried onions and use them for chicken, beef, or tofu in marinades.
- Homemade Instant Soup Mix: Combine dried onions, bouillon powder, and other dried veggies for a quick, homemade soup mix. Or throw a handful of dried onions into your pot for instant oniony goodness. You’ll skip the tearful sautéing step entirely!
- Mayo Enhancer: Add dried onions to mayonnaise, tomato sauces, curries, or gravies.
- Spiced Nuts: For seasoned roasted nuts, mix onion powder with garlic powder, paprika, and a touch of sugar.
- Mashed Potato Magic: Stir dried onions into mashed potatoes for an easy flavor upgrade or stir them into casseroles for a no-fuss flavor boost.