Types of Onions: A Chart of 40 Varieties
There are so many types of onions out there, each with its own unique flavor and texture. From sweet Vidalias to pungent red onions, the choices can be overwhelming. But have you ever stopped to consider just how many different types of onions there really are?
With this comprehensive chart of 40 different types of onions, you’ll never have to wonder again! From boiler onions to Rote Zwiebel onions, this chart has it all. Whether you’re a seasoned cook looking to expand your culinary horizons or a beginner just learning your way around the kitchen, this chart is sure to be a valuable resource. So let’s dive in and explore the wide world of onions!
Here is a chart with the list of 40 different types of onions:
Type of Onion | Description |
Yellow Onion | A common type of onion with a golden brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Great for cooking and caramelizing. |
White Onion | Similar to yellow onions, but with a white skin and a milder flavor. Often used in Mexican and Latin American cooking. |
Red Onion | A type of onion with a reddish-purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Often used raw in salads and sandwiches. |
Sweet Onion | A type of onion with a very mild, sweet flavor and a thin, papery skin. Examples include Vidalia and Walla Walla onions. |
Vidalia Onion | A sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in the Vidalia region of Georgia, USA. |
Walla Walla Onion | A sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in the Walla Walla region of Washington, USA. |
Shallot | A small, elongated onion with a pinkish-brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Often used in sauces and dressings. |
Leek | A type of onion with a long, white stalk and flat, green leaves. Has a mild, sweet flavor and is often used in soups and stews. |
Green OnionAlso known as scallions, green onions have a mild flavor and are used raw in salads and as a garnish. | |
Pearl Onion | A small, round onion with a white or pink skin. Often pickled or used in stews and soups. |
Cipollini Onion | A small, sweet onion with a flat, round shape. Often caramelized or grilled. |
Red Pearl Onion | A small, round onion with a reddish-purple skin. Often pickled or used in stews and soups. |
Bermuda Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Bermuda. |
Spanish Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. |
Boiler Onion | A small, sweet onion with a thin, papery skin. Often used in soups and stews. |
Pickling Onion | A small, sweet onion with a thin, papery skin. Often pickled or used in relishes. |
Tropea Onion | A sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Calabria, Italy. |
Egyptian Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. |
Tree Onion | Also known as walking onions or topsetting onions, tree onions have a strong, pungent flavor and produce small bulbils on top of the plant that can be used like onions. |
Welsh Onion | A type of onion with a long, white stalk and flat, green leaves. Has a mild, sweet flavor and is often used in soups and stews. |
Red Wethersfield Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Wethersfield, Connecticut, USA. |
Ailsa Craig Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. Grown in Ailsa Craig, Scotland. |
Stuttgarter Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Stuttgart, Germany. |
Grano Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. |
Creole Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Louisiana, USA. |
Potato Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. Can also be grown as a potato substitute. |
Red Barletta Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Barletta, Italy. |
Imperial Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Imperial Valley, California, USA. |
Rossa di Milano Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Milan, Italy. |
Rio Grande Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA. |
Calabrese Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Calabria, Italy. |
Negramaro Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Puglia, Italy. |
Rote Zwiebel Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Germany. |
Rambon Onion | A type of sweet onion with a red or purple skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Rambouillet, France. |
Pardina Onion | A type of onion with a yellow or brown skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. Grown in Spain. |
Todays Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Todayville, Illinois, USA. |
Iberico Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Spain. |
Southport Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Southport, Connecticut, USA. |
Hanover Onion | A type of sweet onion with a yellow or brown skin and a mild, sweet flavor. Grown in Hanover, Virginia, USA. |
Red Grano Onion | A type of onion with a red or purple skin and a strong, pungent flavor. Often used in cooking and caramelizing. |