How To Grate An Onion (And Why You Should)
For busy parents and impatient cooks, grated onion can be a lifesaver in the kitchen. I always keep a few onions on hand, but I’ve never been a huge fan of how finicky they are to peel and dice!
So I recently started using a bold alternative to diced onions: grated onions, which has saved me time and effort and made cooking easier than ever! In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about grated onions, from their varied benefits to how to make them. Let’s get started!
What Is Grated Onion?
Grated onion is an onion that has been shredded into very fine pieces using a grater or a food processor.
Grating releases an onion’s natural oils and enzymes by breaking its cell walls and enhancing its texture and flavor. Grated onion also cooks very quickly, making it a useful shortcut that can save you time in the kitchen.
What Does Grated Onion Look Like?
Grated onion looks just like you might imagine — a collection of small pieces of shredded onion. Grated onion may have a paste-like texture due to its enzymes and oils.
Why Use Grated Onions?
Peeling and cutting onions can be time-consuming at the best of times. Even for people like me who enjoy cooking, the thought of dicing an onion can be enough of a barrier to make takeout seem far more attractive in comparison!
But not only is grating an onion quick and easy, but they cook quickly too, allowing you to get dinner on the table in less time and with less effort. Another benefit of grated onions is that they meld readily with other ingredients than diced or chopped onions, lending foods a smoother texture.
How to Grate an Onion
So, how to grate an onion? Here’s what I do: instead of reaching for my knife when I need to cut an onion, I grab my box grater instead! After peeling the onion, I grate it against the largest holes, and I’m finished in no time!
One advantage of this process is that it’s so fast that I’m exposed to those infamously tear-inducing onion fumes for less time. I only wish I’d learned this trick sooner, as grated onion is far less easily detected by kids with picky palates!
“Great ideas, Jillee! If I have to do a lot of onions, I will use my food processor, but for a smaller amount, the grater sounds perfect!”
– OGT Reader Karen
Grated Onion vs. Chopped Onion
| Grated Onion | Chopped Onion | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Finer, more uniform texture | Coarser texture and more varied in size |
| Cooking Time | Quickly become soft and translucent | Slower to cook, but retain their texture and flavor longer |
| Flavor | Sweeter in flavor | More assertive and pungent in flavor |
| Usage | Good in sauces, purees, curries, casseroles, lasagna, enchiladas, etc. | Good in salads, stir-fries, sandwiches, calzones, and many other foods |
BONUS: 7 Other Foods You Can Grate
1. Garlic
Grating garlic with a fine grater or microplane is a great way to save time in the kitchen, especially if you’re not very quick with a knife. Grated garlic is great in guacamole, vinaigrettes, and other raw recipes because it eliminates the risk of biting into an oversized chunk of garlic.
2. Potatoes
Shred potatoes with a box grater, just like you would grate a block of cheese, and you’ll be halfway to delicious homemade hashbrowns!
3. Ginger and Horseradish
Tough, fibrous roots like ginger and horseradish can be a pain to mince with a kitchen knife. Grating them with a fine grater or microplane saves time and effort!
4. Butter
Some baked goods (biscuits and scones in particular) turn out best when there are chunks of butter distributed throughout the dough. But rather than taking the time to painstakingly cut butter into your flour mixture, you can save a lot of time by using grated butter instead.
Just grate a frozen stick of butter, stick the grated butter back in the freezer for a few minutes, then mix it into your flour mixture.
5. Toasted Bread
Grate a piece of toasted bread for instant homemade breadcrumbs! Use them as a crunchy coating for chicken, or add them to your favorite meatballs or meatloaf.
6. Veggies
Adding a handful of grated veggies is a simple way to boost the nutritional value of your favorite recipes. Grated carrots, zucchini, and even bell peppers make a tasty addition to enchiladas, meatloaf, and soups!
7. Apples
Freshly grated apples add moisture and flavor to cakes, muffins, and other baked goods. Grated apples were the star in the traditional Scandinavian apple cake (äppelkaka) I made over the holidays, and I’m looking forward to experimenting with other tasty applications for grated apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Substitute for Grated Onion?
If you don’t like grated onion or have an onion on hand, there are many viable substitutes for grated onion. You can use minced shallots, thinly sliced green onions, minced garlic, onion powder, onion paste, or diced onions.
What Is the Difference Between Chopped and Diced Onion?
Diced onions are more uniform in shape and size, while chopped onions may vary in size and cook at different rates.
Should You Grate or Dice Onions?
It depends on what role the onions will play in a particular dish. If you want the onions to have more presence and texture, dicing them is a good option. If you want the flavor of onions, but not so much the texture, grated onions will meld better into your recipe.
Conclusion
Next time you want to prepare a quick lunch or dinner, consider using grated onions to reduce your workload and cooking time. A food processor can make grating onions even easier, but a box grater works just as well!
Do you have a favorite hack that makes cooking easier?
