In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “Can you use red onion in soup?” Also, we’ll explore what red onions are, what types of onions there are, how red onions should be stored, what the nutritional content of red onions is, and what are the health benefits of eating red onions.
Can you use red onion in soup?
Yes, red onions can be used in soup. They can also be used in other recipes such as stews, pasta, and other savory dishes.
Red onions have a characteristically sweeter flavor than both yellow and white onions, and as a result, some recipes may specifically call for red onions to be used.
Any recipe that our readers consult should provide a detailed list of ingredients, and may provide some explanation as to why the listed ingredients are preferred instead of others.
What are red onions?
Red onions allude to a type of onion that has a characteristic red shade of skin. They are usually smaller in size than other types of onions, such as yellow onions or white onions. Red onions are used in a variety of dishes, such as soup, salad, and pizza.
Their distinct coloring comes from pigments in their skin, such as anthocyanins (cyanidin). These pigments have antioxidant activity which is a natural defense system used to protect tissues from extreme drops and surges in temperatures.
Ideally, these onions are served fresh and can be used in salads, salsas, sauces, and garnishes, though they can also be cooked. They are renowned for having a sweeter flavor (a higher concentration of solutes) than other types of onions, and for this reason, are best enjoyed fresh.
What types of onions are there?
There are three types of onions: red onions, yellow onions, and white onions.
- Red onions are the most widely used in Mexican cuisine. They have a sweet and tangy taste and are a deep purple color.
- Yellow onions are the most common type of onion and have a mild flavor. Also known as brown onions, they are often wrapped in a thin, brown layer and are ideal for cooking via methods such as roasting, sautéeing, and being varnished.
They can withstand longer cooking times, as they contain more starch and are, therefore, quite versatile. - White onions are also mild but have a slightly stronger taste than yellow onions. These are more popularly used in dishes of Latin American heritage and can be savored both raw or slightly cooked, by way of methods such as sautéing or serving them fresh with salsas.
As their name indicates, they’re of a white shade and covered in a papery, translucent layer.
Other types of onions include scallions, shallots, and chives, which tend to be pale in color and smaller in size. These can be marinated and cooked with meat, or in the case of chives, even used to make confections such as biscuits.
How should I store red onions?
Red onions should ideally be stored in a dry, cool pantry, within a mesh bag that won’t allow humidity to build up on their surface.
Refrigerating onions is not recommended. This is because onion bulbs are a vegetative structure that contains nutrients for biennial onion plants to grow into their second year when they’ll flower.
Cold temperatures signal that the bulb should begin to transition from its dormant (edible) state to one where it supplies the plant with nutrients and allows for growth.
What is the nutritional content of red onions?
On average, one 94-gram portion of red onion (a medium-sized onion, roughly) will provide:
- 41 calories – of which 1.6 are sourced from fat
- 1.3 grams of protein
- 0.2 grams of fat – of which 0.1 grams are polyunsaturated fat
- 9.5 grams of carbohydrates (3% of the RDI)
- 2.8 milligrams of sodium
- 156 milligrams of potassium (4% of the RDI)
Additionally, the same portion may provide 8.1% of the RDI of vitamin C, 1.6% of the RDI of calcium, and 1.3% of the RDI of iron.
*Recommended daily intake values are based on a diet of 2000 calories per day. An individual’s exact needs may vary. We recommend that our readers consult with a licensed nutritionist to determine what their exact needs are.
What are the health benefits of eating red onions?
Eating red onions can provide health benefits such as being a source of antioxidants, which help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
They also contain flavonoids, which may help protect against cancer and heart disease. Red onions are also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium.
As they are low in calories, they can easily be coupled with low-calorie dishes, which may be indicated for patients on stringent, low-calorie diets.
To summarize, red onions are a healthy food that can easily be incorporated into many dishes, both cooked and fresh.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “Can you use red onion in soup?” Also, we’ve explored what red onions are, what types of onions there are, how red onions should be stored, what the nutritional content of red onions is, and what are the health benefits of eating red onions.