Shallots are a kitchen favorite, known for their delicate blend of onion and garlic flavors. But what if you’re cooking and find your shallot supply has run out? Luckily, plenty of substitutes can replicate their flavor and keep your dish on track. Here’s an expanded guide to the best substitutes for shallots.

The Best Substitutes for Shallots When You’re in a Pinch

1. Yellow Onions

Yellow onions are a reliable and widely available substitute for shallots. They are more pungent but can mimic the flavor when cooked.

How to Use: Replace one shallot with an equal amount of finely chopped yellow onion. Cooking them helps tone down the stronger flavor.

2. Red Onions

Red onions add a sweeter, sharper flavor and work particularly well in raw dishes like salads or garnishes.

Tip: Soak red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce their intensity and bring them closer to shallots’ mildness.

3. Leeks

Leeks have a subtle, sweet flavor that’s milder than onions, making them an excellent option in soups, sauces, or stews.

Conversion: Use the white and light green parts of 1 medium leek to replace 2-3 shallots.

4. Green Onions (Scallions)

Green onions provide a mild flavor and are perfect for garnishes or recipes that don’t require long cooking times.

How to Use: Use the white part as a shallot substitute and reserve the green tops for garnish.

5. Garlic and Onion Mix

Since shallots taste like a blend of garlic and onion, combining the two can mimic their flavor.

Tip: Mix 1 teaspoon of minced garlic with 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion to replace 1 large shallot.

6. Pearl Onions

Pearl onions have a sweeter and milder flavor, making them an excellent substitute in recipes where the shallots are cooked.

How to Use: Use 3-4 pearl onions to replace 1 large shallot.

7. Chives

Chives offer a fresh, onion-like flavor and work well as a shallot substitute in raw dishes like salads, dressings, or garnishes.

Tip: Finely chop and use a handful of chives to replace the mild flavor of shallots.

8. Cipollini Onions

Cipollini onions are small, sweet, and tender, making them a great replacement for shallots in roasted or caramelized dishes.

How to Use: Use 2 cipollini onions to replace 1 large shallot.

9. Sweet Onions

Sweet onions, such as Vidalia or Walla Walla onions, offer a mild flavor similar to shallots but with a slightly sweeter taste.

How to Use: Substitute in a 1:1 ratio for shallots, particularly in recipes where the sweetness complements the dish.

10. Fennel Bulbs

Fennel bulbs bring a mild sweetness and slight anise flavor that can be a unique alternative to shallots in cooked dishes.

How to Use: Thinly slice the fennel bulb and use it as a shallot substitute, particularly in roasted or sautéed recipes.

11. Spring Onions

Spring onions (young onions with both bulb and greens) are a versatile substitute, offering a mild onion flavor with a hint of sweetness.

How to Use: Use the white bulbs as a direct replacement for shallots.

12. Shallot Powder or Onion Powder

In a pinch, shallot powder or onion powder can mimic the flavor of shallots in recipes that don’t require fresh ingredients.

How to Use: Start with 1/2 teaspoon of powder to replace 1 medium shallot, and adjust based on taste.

13. Banana Shallots

Banana shallots, a larger variety of shallots, are the closest substitute if you can find them. Their flavor is almost identical but slightly milder.

How to Use: Use 1 banana shallot to replace 2 regular shallots.

14. Chinese Onions

Also known as allium chinense, these onions offer a flavor similar to shallots and are commonly used in Asian cooking.

How to Use: Use them in the same quantity as you would shallots in stir-fries, soups, or sauces.

How to Choose the Right Shallot Substitute

Best Substitutes for Raw Dishes (Salads, Salsas, and Garnishes)

If your recipe calls for raw shallots in salads, dressings, or salsas, choose a mild substitute that won’t overpower the dish.

• Best options: Red onions, green onions (scallions), chives
• Tip: Soak red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow their sharpness.

Best Substitutes for Cooked Dishes (Soups, Stews, and Braises)

For soups, stews, or slow-cooked dishes, use substitutes that soften and develop sweetness when cooked.

• Best options: Yellow onions, leeks, pearl onions
• Tip: Cooking yellow onions longer will make them taste milder, closer to shallots.

Best Substitutes for Roasted or Caramelized Dishes

When roasting or caramelizing shallots, use substitutes that develop rich, sweet flavors.

• Best options: Cipollini onions, fennel bulbs, sweet onions
• Tip: Slice substitutes thinly to mimic shallots’ texture and quick cooking time.

Best Substitutes for Sauces, Marinades, and Dressings

Shallots often provide depth in sauces and dressings. Use finely minced substitutes that blend well.

• Best options: Garlic-onion mix, shallot powder, banana shallots
• Tip: Start with a small amount and adjust to taste, as some substitutes can be more pungent.

Quick Tips for Substituting Shallots

1. Adjust the Quantity: Since substitutes like yellow onions are more pungent, use slightly less and taste as you go.
2. Enhance with Garlic: If your substitute lacks the depth of shallots, add a hint of garlic to balance the flavor.
3. Experiment: Depending on the recipe, you might discover a new favorite ingredient by substituting shallots!

Insider’s Insight

Whether you’re cooking a rich sauce, a fresh salad, or a hearty stew, there’s no need to panic if you’re out of shallots. With these versatile substitutes, you can adapt any recipe and keep your dish flavorful.