Ask the Food Editor (2024)

susan westmoreland

Can you substitute a sweet onion, such as a Vidalia, for a regular yellow onion in a recipe?

You can, but you'll probably need to cook the onions slightly longer because sweet varieties (such as Vidalias, Walla Wallas, and Texas Spring Sweet) have a naturally higher water content. Your dish may also have a little less bite; these onions contain more sugar and fewer of the sulfuric-acid compounds that give onions their characteristic flavor.

Be careful, too, when you're storing sweet onions -- they're more susceptible to bruising and nicks. All onions should be kept in a cool, dry environment that allows for adequate air circulation. You can also use a pair of clean, sheer pantyhose (a great way to recycle those with a run): Place an onion in the toe, tie a small knot, then drop in another, make a knot, and so on, until you fill the leg of the hose. When you need an onion, simply cut below a knot. I don't recommend storing onions in the refrigerator, but if you do, wrap each one separately in a paper towel to absorb moisture and ensure adequate air circulation.