What are Dried Onions? How to Make and Use Dried Onions to Enhance Sweetness

That day, I was having the "Pork Shogayaki Set Meal" at a diner near my office for lunch. It was an old-fashioned diner, just a minute's walk from my company. Being in the middle of the business district, it was always bustling with office workers.

"Here you go, thanks for waiting," the diner's proprietress said as she brought over a tray with my meal. The miso soup was a little rich. The white rice had sesame seeds sprinkled on it. Pickled vegetables added a touch of color. And on the large plate occupying the center of the tray, three thick slices of pork, coated in a glistening, golden-brown sauce, were piled up.

"Itadakimasu," I said, putting my hands together before quickly grabbing my chopsticks. Usually, I'd reach for the miso soup first, but perhaps because I was so hungry that day, my chopsticks went straight for the pork. As I brought the meat to my mouth, I thought, "Hmm!?" Something was different about the onions I ate with it. They were much sweeter, and their texture was unique.

However, I quickly realized "something." The onions used in the ginger pork set meal I was eating were "dried onions."

Alone, I savored the ginger pork set meal, almost overwhelmed with emotion. When it was time to pay after the meal, I asked the staff,

"Are the onions used in the ginger pork dried vegetables?"

At my question, the proprietress's eyes widened, and she broke into a beaming smile.

"You noticed! That's right. It was my daughter's idea. I'm so happy you could tell!"

I, on the other hand, felt an inexplicable surge of emotion, as if the outside world and my hobby had connected.

The following week, I immediately decided to make dried onions. However, as it was unfortunately a cloudy day, I decided to try making them in the microwave.

"So, I need to place parchment paper on the turntable," I mumbled to myself, arranging the sliced onions on the paper while reading my sister's article on my tablet. It said they would be done in about 8 minutes at 500W without cling wrap.

"How easy!" I was simply amazed by how little time it took. The key was to check if the moisture had been removed and they were nicely crispy. After they were done, I let them cool for about 30 minutes. Although the aroma wasn't as rich as sun-dried ones, the moisture had definitely been removed, and I had crunchy dried onions.

"Today, I'll serve them with pork chops." It goes without saying that dinner that night was exquisite.

The Versatility of Onions

Onions are one of the most versatile vegetables used in cuisines worldwide. Raw, they offer a crisp texture and pungent flavor, while cooking brings out their sweetness, adding richness and depth to dishes. From curries and stews to stir-fries and salads, onions are a fundamental ingredient in all types of cuisine, be it Japanese, Western, or Chinese.

While onions are an indispensable staple in the refrigerator, drying them further enhances their usability. Their sweetness becomes concentrated, and their flavor is significantly boosted when added to dishes. We hope you'll discover the appeal of dried onions, which are even attracting attention from professional chefs.

What Changes When Onions Are Dried?

When onions are dried, their sweetness becomes surprisingly concentrated as moisture is removed. While raw onions can sometimes have a dominant pungency, drying mellows this sharp flavor, bringing their natural sweetness to the forefront.

Significantly Increased Sweetness

The greatest characteristic of dried onions is their significantly increased sweetness. As moisture is removed, sugars become concentrated, resulting in a sweetness incomparable to raw onions. As seen in the diner's ginger pork, when added to stir-fries, they enhance the flavor of seasonings while their inherent sweetness mellows the entire dish. It's understandable why professional chefs adopt this method for such a delicious taste.

Appealing Texture Change

Dried onions have a completely different texture from fresh ones. Their crisp, firm bite is a distinctive feature, adding an accent to dishes. While rehydrating them in water makes them soft, they offer a unique, pliable texture that differs from the crispness of fresh onions. This change in texture is also a unique appeal of dried onions.

How to Make Dried Onions

You can choose between two methods for drying onions: sun-drying and microwaving. Learn about the characteristics of each and try the method that suits your lifestyle.

Sun-Drying

Slice the onions thinly and arrange them on a colander or drying net, ensuring they don't overlap, then sun-dry them. They will be semi-dry in about half a day to a day, and fully dry after two or more days. The advantage of sun-drying is that sunlight enhances their savory aroma. Drying them in a well-ventilated place ensures even, consistent drying.

Microwave

The microwave method is easy to use even on cloudy or rainy days. Line a turntable with parchment paper, arrange thinly sliced onions without overlapping. Heat at 500W without cling film for about 8 minutes. While the savory aroma is milder compared to sun-drying, the convenience of being able to make them instantly is a major advantage. Let them cool for about 30 minutes before storing.

Recommended Uses for Dried Onions

Dried onions act as a hidden flavor enhancer in all sorts of dishes. Whether used as is or rehydrated, they elevate the taste of your cooking to the next level.

Supporting Role in Stir-Fries and Meat Dishes

Dried onions are most effective when used as a side in stir-fries and meat dishes. When served with ginger pork or pork chops, their concentrated sweetness harmonizes with the meat's umami, resulting in a significantly more delicious dish. When used as a base for curry, they provide deep richness and sweetness without the effort of caramelizing onions for a long time.

Soups, Miso Soup, and Salads

Adding dried onions to soup or miso soup allows their sweetness to dissolve into the broth, creating a mellow and profound flavor. They are also excellent for onion soup, producing a surprisingly rich flavor with just a small amount of dried onions. When used crispy as a topping for salads, they add a textural accent.

Onions Truly Shine When Dried

While fresh onions are delicious enough on their own, drying them further brings out their sweetness and umami. The technique of using dried onions, adopted by professional chefs, can be easily applied to home cooking.

Why not try recreating that感動 (kando - deeply moving) taste you experienced at the diner in your own kitchen? Whether sun-dried or microwaved, dried onions are surprisingly easy to make. Just adding dried onions to your usual dishes is sure to enrich your dining table.