Alliums are any of a large genus, allium that are part of the bulbous herbs of the lily family. This includes onion, garlic, chive, leek, and shallot.
Shallot. Shallots are hands-down the best substitute for onions. They’re small onions with a mild, delicate, flavor. Toss chopped, sliced, or finely diced shallots in literally anything: soups, sauces, and a host of sauteed dishes.
Making Up for Flavor
I do love garlic and onion. They are good for you, if you aren’t allergic to them, and the flavor is yummy! It really adds so much depth to every dish. My husband also suffered from food allergies to: pea, avocado, mushroom, onion, sesame and mustard. In order to make this safe for him as well we also ditched the onion.
Taking away two amazing flavor boosters leaves the salsa very bland as-is without making some modifications. I kicked up the flavor by upping my spice in the jalapeño’s be only removing about 1/4 of the seeds. I also use more cilantro than normal, and add in some cumin. Cumin is known as the savory equivalent of cinnamon, and is the perfect addition for adding depth of flavor and increasing the savory flavors.
Now while you can definitely dip in right away, I recommend storing your salsa in a glass jar for at least 12-24 hours to allow all the flavors to marinate together. I will make it the day before, let it sit in the fridge overnight, and it is amazing the following day!
Allergy Friendly and LowFODMAP Friendly
While 9 foods account for 90% of all food allergies: soy, wheat, egg, dairy, peanut, tree nut, fin fish, shellfish and sesame; it is possible to be allergic, anaphylactic even, to any food.
My oldest child is allergic to peanut, pecan, walnut, shellfish, oat, garlic, sweet potato, watermelon and pear. Peanut is pretty tough as far as cross-contamination goes, but garlic is extremely difficult, it’s in everything.
One of the best product finds we happened upon is a line of foods called Fody. They are a line of condiments, spices, and other foods that are friendly for those that suffer from IBS or otherwise need to follow a LowFODMAP diet. Since part of the LowFODMAP diet includes being onion and garlic free – this worked out great for our allergy situation. However, it can be very pricey, so I recreated my own salsa recipe that excludes onion and garlic.
The main ingredient makes a huge difference. Not all tomatoes are created equal. The combination of Roma tomatoes and vine ripened tomatoes gives a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. If you go wit hall one type of tomato the flavor will be noticeably off. Additionally, you can use canned tomatoes, but fresh are best with the quality of flavor that can’t be beat!
If I do use canned tomatoes, I do still purchase a can of regular whole tomatoes, and a can of whole Roma tomatoes. I drain the juices, fill with water and rinse the tomatoes several times to get rid of any “tinny” flavor from the cans, but honestly if you can use fresh – it’s so delicious!
The BEST Mexican Restaurant SALSA ROJA Recipe (+ the secret ingredient)
FAQ
What is a good substitute for onion in salsa?
What salsa has no onions?
Is onion powder a good substitute for onions?
What kind of onions do you use in salsa?
So, whether you’re aiming for a creamy salsa verde or spicy salsa roja, consider reaching for white onions to give it the perfect amount of flavor, spice, and bite. While there are a variety of types of onions, one type is the best to use in traditional Mexican salsa because it imports the ideal flavor and texture.
What are the substitutes for onions?
A small onion is a good replacement for a traditional onion. Other alternatives include pout onions, celery, grated chives, cilantro, garlic powder, garlic, garlic salt, and onion flakes, which is a dehydrated form of onion and has a mild flavor.
Can you add onions to salsa if you can’t find it?
If you can’t find it, don’t worry, the onions are very easy to pick around. They are far and few between. If you like less heat in your salsa feel free to start with only 1 pepper and add more if needed. Want to add the heat without the smokiness?
What is a good substitute for cooked salsa?
This is also the case for cooked salsa or fire-roasted salsa, which usually has roasted tomatoes and raw onions blended into the mixture. Whether you prefer chunky or finely chopped salsa, white onions will provide a satisfying crunch that adds needed textural contrast to the overall dish.