If you're sensitive to onions, how do you cook without them?

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

I'm starting to wonder if I've developed a sensitivity to onions (I think they're upsetting my stomach). But just about everything I cook starts with celery and onions these days! How do you make soups, stews, etc. without onions? Leaving them out must affect the flavor quite a bit, no? Is there an alternative, or is my only option to leave them out entirely and adjust to the different flavor? The funny thing is that I don't even like onions, but they're important to the flavor base of so many things.

 

Any advice is welcome!

[MaeFlowers]

I developed a sensitivity to onions after ds was born but only raw onions. Cooked onions don't bother me so I make sure they are well cooked, almost clear. Also, on of dh's family members is extremely allergic to onions but can have onion powder. Maybe try dehydrated onion flakes or powder for the flavor?

[AK_Mom4]

When my SIL eats wih us, we leave out onions entirely and substitute garlic. Seems to work just fine.

[LibraryLover]

Scallions? Extra garlic? What about well-cooked shallots? Red onion instead? What about Vidalia?

[mamaraby]

Carrots and celery

Peppers, carrots, and celery

 

Soften one of the above in the pan first and then proceed with the soup/stew/whatever. Develop your flavors that way and explore other herbs and spices. I don't think lack of onion is going to break the flavor of a recipe. (Well, unless it's french onion soup or onion rings. Obviously you can't make those without onions) Can you have more garlic? Do you like garlic? Add more garlic. :0)

[Guest]

I have a friend who has this sensitivity.  She just leaves them out.  For a soup base, you can use the veggies mentioned upthread by Mamaraby, and I also add some shredded parsnips  

[amo_mea_filiis.]

If you're sensitive in an IBS way, try sautéing onions in oil, but strain them out and use the onion infused oil.

 

You can try the green part of scallions too.

 

For me, I've just left them out. I have chicken broth in the fridge. It was made with a chicken carcass, carrots, salt and pepper.

[Sherry in OH]

In curries and other Indian dishes, I use asafetida powder. Otherwise, I substitute a lesser amount of minced garlic if flavoring is needed.  In recipes where onion is more of a filler than a flavoring agent, I substitute chopped mushrooms, celery or another vegetable. 

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

I really wish I could multi-quote right now!

 

Thanks everyone. The onions are always well-cooked, either boiled in or cooked down at the beginning of the cooking process (I really hate onions, so I don't even want to know they're in there! I don't mind them as part of the background flavor though). I don't know if onion-infused oil would work, because I think even my broth made with onions is giving me tummy trouble. It didn't occur to me to use different kinds of onions--that's a good idea. Though I made potato leek soup not long ago, and that was a bad night :( So I fear that all onions and onion-related veggies might be a problem. I'll have to run a few more experiments to get some conclusive answers :lol: This is all fairly new, and I'm really wondering why. I'm not enjoying having an upset stomach every single night!

 

I'll see if extra celery and garlic might do the job. I suspect the others here will protest at first, but hopefully they'll adjust if they have to. 

 

Thanks for all the ideas!

[Jean in Newcastle]

Just so you know, if you are allergic to onions it is probably best to avoid or at least test other alliums too - garlic, shallots, chives, scallions. 

[Luanne]

I just leave it out.  My stomach seriously cannot handle onions.  I don't cook with them at all.  If it calls for them I just don't put them in.

[Little Nyssa]

For me I found onions do not bother me as much if they are very fresh.

[Cafdog]

My father has a problem with onions, but misses the flavor.  He has been substituting leeks in his cooking recipes.  Not as flavorful as a real onion, but does give a little bit of that onion-y flavor to cooked foods. 

 

[trulycrabby]

Like Luanne, I just leave them out. No substitutions.

[Seasider]

I was going to suggest leeks as well.

 

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I've hit the wall on raw onions, too. I just made a big pot of chowder and there are white beans in the crock pot; if I can't handle cooked onions, either, this week's dinners will reveal it.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I don't cook with onions.  I can't do leeks, chives, green onions or anything oniony.  It does not matter if it is raw, well cooked, powdered, flaked or hidden.

 

I just don't cook with them.  Obviously this does not work with onion soup or onion tart where onion is a main ingredient.  If I come across a recipe that calls for a ton of onions, but where it is also not the main ingredient, I use fennel.  When you cook fennel it is mild, kind of looks like onions when cooked, and adds moisture.

 

I can do garlic oddly.  So I do use garlic regularly. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

To add, my DH loves onions and he has said to me many times that my food is flavorful enough that he never misses it.  Maybe once a year I throw him a bone and make him an onion tart. 

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Can I just say I am so loving this thread?  I was starting to think I was the only one with this problem.

 

 

[Orthodox6]

Is onion the problem, or is too much oil the problem?  Just thinking at the keyboard. . .

 

As suggested by another, it may be best to shy away from the entire family (onions, garlic, etc.) 

 

For me, there is no life without garlic and onions.  But I would do whatever I had to do to avoid feeling sick.  Hope you feel better very soon!

[Tammi K]

Onions are a migraine trigger but shallots aren't so I would try them assuming they are similar enough in taste to add flavor but different enough that they may not cause a reaction.  (Although shallots tend to dissolve and disappear so i wouldn't rely on them for bulk.)

 

edit because I said scallions when I meant shallots

[PrairieSong]

I have a friend who is sensitive to onions, but she can tolerate onion powder.

[Vernal]

My DH sensitive to onions too. I just leave them out. Blah. I love onions and really miss them. Onion powder helps, but it's just not the same. I do up the other veggies and spices to try to cover it though.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Onions are a migraine trigger but shallots aren't so I would try them assuming they are similar enough in taste to add flavor but different enough that they may not cause a reaction.  (Although shallots tend to dissolve and disappear so i wouldn't rely on them for bulk.)

 

edit because I said scallions when I meant shallots

 

Ok now that you mention it I do ok with shallots.  I still don't tend to use them because they are expensive and I could not be bothered.  I had tons of migraines as a kid.  As an adult I have not cooked with onions and have had no migraines.

 

This is so interesting.  Never heard/read that...

[greenvneck]

Do you have IBS? My daughter does and she can't eat anything with onions or garlic or she is in severe pain. The green part of green onions is okay, though, so maybe try that for a light bit of onion flavor?

[Susan in TN]

I developed a sensitivity to onions after ds was born but only raw onions. Cooked onions don't bother me so I make sure they are well cooked, almost clear. Also, on of dh's family members is extremely allergic to onions but can have onion powder. Maybe try dehydrated onion flakes or powder for the flavor?

Dh is sensitive to onions, but is OK with them as long as they are cooked nearly to mush. He is fine with green onions.