Onion powder

Onion powder

Onion powder is dehydrated, ground onion that is commonly used as a seasoning.^[1] It is a common ingredient in seasoned salt and spice mixes,^[1] such as beau monde seasoning.^[2] Some varieties are prepared using toasted onion.^[1][3] White, yellow and red onions may be used.^[1] Onion powder is a commercially prepared food product that has several culinary uses. Onion powder can also be homemade.^[4]

Onion salt is a spice preparation using dried onion and salt as primary ingredients.

Commercial onion powder[edit]

Commercial onion powders are prepared using dehydration, freeze-drying, vacuum-shelf drying and flow drying.^[5] Some commercial onion powders are irradiated as treatment against potential microbial contamination.^[6] It readily absorbs water upon contact, so commercial varieties may be packaged in airtight containers with a liner atop the container.^[7] Onion powder with a moisture content of 4–5 percent is prone to caking when stored in warmer environments, with increased temperatures corresponding to a shorter time for the occurrence of caking.^[8] Of general acceptance is that commercial onion powder is around ten times stronger in flavor compared to fresh onion.^[7]

Onion salt[edit]

Commercial preparation[edit]

Early commercial preparations of onion salt were simply a mixture of onion powder and salt.^[9] An example ratio for earlier commercial preparations is one part salt to every five parts of dehydrated onion.^[9] Contemporary versions typically utilize dried granulated onion and salt, and usually include an anticaking agent.^[10] The salt may serve to prevent the loss of onion flavor in the mixture, by preventing the evaporation of onion oil.^[9] The development of commercial onion salt preparations included formulating products that reduced the strong odor of onion in the product and on the breath of consumers who eat it.^[9]

Commercial preparation of onion salt involves the testing and sorting of onions by the degree of onion flavor they have, as flavor constituents can vary considerably among various onion varieties.^[9] This is performed prior to mixing, in order to produce a consistent final product.^[9] Some commercial onion salt preparations are never touched by human hands, as the stages of processing are all performed using automated processes.^[9]

Culinary uses[edit]

Onion powder[edit]

Onion powder may be used as a seasoning atop a variety of foods and dishes, such as pasta, pizza, and grilled chicken. It is also a primary ingredient in beau monde seasoning.^[2] It is also sometimes used as a meat rub.^[1] Onion powder is also an ingredient in some commercially prepared foods, such as sauces, soups,^[11] and salad dressings. It can also be used in many other recipes such as burgers or meatloaf.

Onion salt[edit]

Onion salt is used as a seasoning atop finished dishes^[9] and as an ingredient in many types of dishes, such as meat and vegetable dishes, casseroles and soups.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Granovskaya, R.Y.; Korneva, L.Y. (1973). Quality Variation of Onion Powder During Storage in Polymer Packaging. Defense Technical Information Center. 5 pages.