Onion powder

Onion powder is dehydrated, ground onion 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 powder

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

Commercial production

Commercial onion powders are prepared using dehydration, freeze-drying, vacuum-shelf drying and flow drying.^[5] Some commercial onion powders are irradiated as a 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] It is generally accepted that commercial onion powder is around ten times stronger in flavor compared to fresh onion.^[7]

Onion salt

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 help prevent the loss of onion flavor in the mixture by reducing 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 done before mixing 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

Onion powder may be used as a seasoning atop a variety of foods and dishes, such as pasta, pizza, and grilled chicken. It is a primary ingredient in beau monde seasoning.^[2] and is 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. Additionally, it can be used in various recipes like burgers or meatloaf.^{[citation needed]}

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

See also

• Food portal

• Celery powder
• Celery salt
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Garlic salt
• List of culinary herbs and spices
• List of onion dishes
• syn-Propanethial-S-oxide, the molecule that gives onions and onion powder their strong flavor.