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Need a good substitute for shallots? Shallots have a unique flavor that’s somewhere between onion and garlic.  But if you’re out of shallots and need a good replacement, here’s a list of the best shallot substitutes you can use.

Several shallots lay on a gray surface.

If you’re in the middle of making a recipe that calls for shallots and you don’t have any on hand, there’s a few substitutes you can use to replace it, though the flavor won’t be exactly the same.

Several shallots sit in a cast iron pan next to a knife for shallot substitutes.

Whether you add onions, shallots, leeks, green onions or garlic to any dish, alliums make just about everything taste better! Many recipes start out by cooking onions and garlic in a little olive oil or butter because they add so much flavor to any dish. Alliums are often referred to as aromatics because they help to create layers of flavor and an amazing aroma when they are cooked together.  You can cook with shallots and onions together or cook with shallots instead of onions. Either way, they add so much flavor  to any savory dish.

What Are Shallots?

Shallots are a small mild-tasting member of the Allium genus family, which include garlic, scallions, leeks, chives and onions. They look like both an onion and garlic, and the flavor is somewhere in between the two.  Their bulbs are wrapped in a delicate papery skin similar to onions, and it’s divided into small segmented cloves similar to garlic. 

Substitutes for Shallots

If you don’t have any shallots on hand, here are some of the best substitutes for shallots that you can use in a pinch. If a recipe calls for 1 large shallot, this will typically amount to about 1/2 cup chopped shallots and 1 medium shallot will typically amount to about 1/4 cup chopped shallots.  When using onions as a substitute for shallots, be sure to finely chop them and cook them slowly so you can achieve a texture that will be similar to that of cooked shallots.

1. Yellow Onion

Yellow onions are one of the better substitutes for shallots since their flavors are similar. Use the same amount of chopped onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  

2. Sweet Onion

Sweet onions (Vidalia, Maui or Walla Walla) can be used as a substitute for shallots, even though sweet onions have a more robust flavor and tougher texture. Use the same amount of chopped onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  

3. Red Onion

Red onions make a good substitute for shallots. Use the same amount of chopped red onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  

4. White Onion

White onions have a more robust flavor than shallots, so either soak slices of onion is water for about 10 minutes to mellow the flavor before chopping or mincing it, or use 1/2 to 3/4 less the amount of white onion as you would use for shallots. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup chopped shallots, then use only 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped white onion.

5. Green onion

Green onions or scallions are mild in flavor like shallots, so they’d be an easy substitute to use. Because their texture is different, the outcome won’t be quite the same. Use the same amount of chopped white onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)

6. Leeks

Leeks make a good substitute for shallots. Use the white and lighter green parts of the leek. Slice the leeks then rinse them under cold water removing all dirt and debris before cooking with them. Use the same amount of leeks as you would use for shallots in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)

7. Garlic

Garlic has a robust flavor that doesn’t compare to the more mild flavor of shallots, but it can still be used as a substitute for shallots in certain recipes.  Use 1 clove garlic for every shallot you would use in a recipe.

A small cast iron pan filled with shallots. A knife sits next to the pan.

What Do Shallots Taste Like?

Shallots have a more subtle allium flavor that is a cross somewhere between onion and garlic. Because the flavor of shallot isn’t as pungent as onion, many people prefer to cook with them because the flavor won’t overpower the other flavors of a dish.

How Do You Store Shallots?

Store shallots the same way you do onions; in a dark place like your pantry where they’ll last for several weeks. Whole shallots can also be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or plastic bag, where they’ll last up to 2 months. Shallots that have been cut open should be placed in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator where they’ll last up to one week.  

Several alliums are scattered on a gray background.

More Resources

Several shallots scattered on a gray back ground.

Shallot Substitute

Need a good substitute for shallots? Shallots have a unique flavor that's somewhere between onion and garlic.  But if you’re out of shallots and need a good replacement, here’s a list of the best shallot substitutes you can use.

Ingredients

  • Yellow Onion
  • Sweet Onion
  • Red Onion
  • White Onion
  • Green onion
  • Leeks
  • Garlic

Instructions

  1. Yellow onions are one of the better substitutes for shallots since their flavors are similar. Use the same amount of chopped onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  
  2. Sweet onions (Vidalia, Maui or Walla Walla) can be used as a substitute for shallots, even though sweet onions have a more robust flavor and tougher texture. Use the same amount of chopped onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  
  3. Red onions make a good substitute for shallots. Use the same amount of chopped red onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)  
  4. White onions have a more robust flavor than shallots, so either soak slices of onion is water for about 10 minutes to mellow the flavor before chopping or mincing it, or use 1/2 to 3/4 less the amount of white onion as you would use for shallots. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup chopped shallots, then use only 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped white onion.
  5. Green onions or scallions are mild in flavor like shallots, so they’d be an easy substitute to use. Because their texture is different, the outcome won’t be quite the same. Use the same amount of chopped white onion as you would use for chopped shallots. (1:1 ratio)
  6. Leeks make a good substitute for shallots. Use the white and lighter green parts of the leek. Slice the leeks then rinse them under cold water removing all dirt and debris before cooking with them. Use the same amount of leeks as you would use for shallots in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)
  7. Garlic has a robust flavor that doesn't compare to the more mild flavor of shallots, but it can still be used as a substitute for shallots in certain recipes.  Use 1 clove garlic for every shallot you would use in a recipe.

Notes

Tips

  1. If a recipe calls for 1 large shallot, this will typically amount to about 1/2 cup chopped shallots and 1 medium shallot will typically amount to about 1/4 cup chopped shallots. 
  2. When using onions as a substitute for shallots, be sure to finely chop onions and cook them slowly to achieve a texture that will be similar to that of cooked shallots.

© The Harvest kitchen
Category: Substitutions