What can I use instead of Shallots?

Red onion, mellowed: 1/2 small red onion, minced; soak in cold water 10 min + pinch of sugar. Scallions (green onions): 2-3 scallions, white and green parts.

What changes when you substitute Shallots?

Still sharper than shallot. Fresher, greener.

Substitute for Shallots

What it does in a recipe: Delicate, sweet garlic-onion hybrid for vinaigrettes and sauces.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Red onion, mellowed

per 1 medium shallot (raw uses)

US1/2 small red onion, minced; soak in cold water 10 min + pinch of sugar

Metric70 g

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeGluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-free

Soaking pulls out the harsh compounds.

What changes: Still sharper than shallot

Best for: Vinaigrettes, raw uses

Scallions (green onions)

per 1 medium shallot

US2-3 scallions, white and green parts

Metric50 g

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeGluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-free

A milder member of the allium family.

What changes: Fresher, greener

Best for: Garnish, salads

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Shallots?: Red onion, mellowed: 1/2 small red onion, minced; soak in cold water 10 min + pinch of sugar. Scallions (green onions): 2-3 scallions, white and green parts.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Shallots?: Red onion, mellowed (per 1 medium shallot (raw uses)) — US: 1/2 small red onion, minced; soak in cold water 10 min + pinch of sugar. Metric: 70 g.
What changes when you substitute Shallots?: Still sharper than shallot. Fresher, greener.

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