Homemade Onion Powder
Turn fresh onions into a fragrant pantry seasoning with only one ingredient. Use a dehydrator or a low oven, then grind the brittle slices into fine, savory powder.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Yield
- Makes about 3/4 cup, or 36 teaspoons
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 20mCook 10mVegan Recipes
Homemade onion powder is a simple way to save extra onions and make a seasoning that tastes fresh and clean. It is useful in soups, sauces, rubs, dressings, roasted vegetables, and quick weeknight marinades.
The process is mostly hands-off. Slice the onions thin, dry them until they snap, then grind them into powder. The key is patience: any leftover moisture can make the powder clump or spoil.
A dehydrator gives the most even results, but a low oven works too. Expect the smell of onions to fill the kitchen while they dry.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
4 items · Makes about 3/4 cup, or 36 teaspoons
- 2 pounds yellow onions, about 6 medium, peeled and trimmed roots removed शेष? Wait no Devanagari. Need valid no stray.
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- steps
- nutrition
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Peel and trim the onions
Peel the onions and cut off the root and stem ends. Remove any soft or bruised spots. Fresh, firm onions make powder with a cleaner flavor.
2. Slice them very thin
Cut the onions into slices about 1/8 inch thick. A mandoline slicer makes this easier, but a sharp knife works. Try to keep the slices even so they dry at the same rate.
3. Spread the slices in a single layer
Arrange the onion slices on dehydrator trays or parchment-lined baking sheets. Do not pile them up. A little space between pieces helps air move around them.
4. Dry until brittle
For a dehydrator, dry at 135°F for 8 to 12 hours. For an oven, use the lowest setting, usually 170°F to 200°F, and check often after 4 hours. If your oven manual says it is safe, vent the door slightly to let moisture escape. The onions are ready when they are dry, light, and crisp.
5. Test a few pieces
Let one or two pieces cool for a minute, then bend them. They should snap instead of bend. If they feel leathery or sticky, keep drying them. Moisture is the main reason homemade powder clumps.
6. Cool completely
Transfer the dried onions to a plate or tray and let them cool to room temperature. Grinding warm onions can trap steam in the powder.
7. Grind into powder
Add the dried onions to a clean spice grinder, coffee grinder, or high-speed blender. Grind in short bursts until fine. Let the dust settle for a few seconds before opening the lid.
8. Sift and regrind
Pour the powder through a fine-mesh sieve. Regrind any larger flakes left in the sieve, or save them as dried onion flakes.
9. Store airtight
Spoon the onion powder into a clean, dry jar. Label it with the date and store it in a cool, dark cabinet.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Onion powder is a great batch project. Dry and grind it on a day when you can let the dehydrator or oven run for several hours.
- Storage: Keep the powder in an airtight jar away from heat, steam, and sunlight. For the freshest flavor, use it within 6 months.
- Moisture check: If the powder clumps right after grinding, spread it on parchment and dry it for another 30 to 60 minutes, then cool and jar it again.
- Onion swaps: Yellow onions give a balanced flavor. White onions taste sharper, red onions make a slightly sweeter powder, and sweet onions can take longer to dry because they hold more moisture.
- No dehydrator? Use the oven on its lowest setting. Watch closely near the end because thin onion pieces can brown quickly.
- How to use it: Start with 1 teaspoon onion powder in dips, soups, or marinades, then add more to taste. About 1 tablespoon onion powder can stand in for 1 medium fresh onion in many cooked recipes.
Cook's note
Drying time varies a lot based on onion thickness, water content, humidity, and your appliance. Go by texture, not the clock: fully dry onion slices should be crisp and brittle.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make onion powder without a dehydrator?
Yes. Use a low oven and spread the slices in a single layer. The oven method usually takes 4 to 8 hours, but it can take longer. Keep the temperature low so the onions dry instead of roast.
Why did my onion powder turn clumpy?
The onions may not have been fully dry, or the powder may have absorbed moisture from the air. Dry the powder again on a parchment-lined tray, cool it completely, and store it in a very dry jar.
Can I use a blender instead of a spice grinder?
Yes, especially if you have a high-speed blender. For a small batch, a spice grinder is easier because the blades catch the dried pieces better. Work in batches if needed.
How long does homemade onion powder last?
It keeps for about 6 months in a cool, dark cabinet if it is fully dry and stored airtight. If you see mold, smell mustiness, or notice moisture in the jar, discard it.
Can I make onion flakes instead of powder?
Yes. Stop after drying, then crush the brittle onion pieces lightly with your hands or pulse them once or twice in a grinder. Store the flakes the same way you store the powder.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
Makes about 3/4 cup, or 36 teaspoons
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate2 g
- 1%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars1 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium6 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium37 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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