Onion Salad
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While it may be surprising, our sliced onion salad recipe is a delicious and refreshing side dish that has a lot to offer. With the crispness of fresh white onions and a simple creamy dressing, it also couldn’t be easier to prep.
Why You Should Give Sliced Onion Salad a Try
I know what you’re thinking—how can a salad made from just one ingredient, especially onions, be any good? You might not expect it, but creamy onion salad is a great option.
Cost-effective, simple ingredients, and low stress to make, this dish is perfect for BBQs or a side for dinner, and it’s worth trying at least once.
Ingredients
- 4 large white or yellow onions, sliced into rounds and separated
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- One tablespoon of poppy seeds
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Please note that there is some extra time to consider in marinating, so please plan prep accordingly.
If you are looking for another onion salad dressing option, use our cucumber and dill salad recipe ingredients.
Step-by-Step Recipe for Onion Salad
Slice your raw onions into 1/8″ rounds and separate the layers by hand. Place them into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine sugar, water, and vinegar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour this mixture over the onions and stir to ensure all slices are well coated. Cover and refrigerate, stirring every hour for 3 hours to allow each part of the onion to be exposed.
After marinating, drain the liquid from the onions. Dry them off so the dressing wont be too watery.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and poppy seeds.
Stir into the onions to fully coat them with the salad dressing. I find that using tongs can be helpful.
Refrigerate for at least another hour before serving. When you’re ready to serve, season with salt and pepper to taste. I also suggest tongs over a spoon so its easier to grab the rings.
Why do you soak the onions in the sugar water mixture?
Soaking the onions in a mixture of water, sugar, and vinegar helps to mellow their sharp flavor, making them milder and sweeter. Stirring while marinating helps reduce the bitterness and ensures all the onion rings are evenly exposed to the marinade.
Simple Recipe Variations
- While white onions are the classic choice, swap them with red or sweet Vidalia onions to change up the flavor. You can even combine different onion types into one delicious salad. In this recipe as shown, I used yellow onions.
- Fresh herbs can brighten up any side dish—try adding a sprinkle of fresh dill, fresh parsley leaves, or even fresh mint leaves just before serving.
- You do not want to overdo the moisture, but adding a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the dressing is really good.
Tip: You can also use the same technique to prepare onions as a topping for burgers or pork chops.
Onion Salad
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- tongs
Ingredients
- 4 large white or yellow onions sliced into rounds and separated
Marinade
- 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
Onion Salad Dressing
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Slice the raw onions into 1/8" rounds and separate the layers by hand. Place them into a large mixing bowl and set aside.4 large white or yellow onions
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, water, and vinegar. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour this mixture over the sliced onions and stir to ensure all slices are well coated. Cover and refrigerate, stirring every hour for 3 hours. The stirring makes sure all parts of the onion are exposed to the sugar water, which helps reduce the bite of the onion. After marinating, drain the liquid from the onions. Dry them off to reduce moisture.1/2 cup granulated white sugar, 1/4 cup cold water, 1/4 cup white vinegar
- In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise and poppy seeds, then stir this into the onions to coat them evenly with the dressing. Use tongs if you have any trouble spreading the dressing.1/2 cup real mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Refrigerate the salad for at least another hour before serving, which helps the overall flavors of the salad. When you’re ready to serve, season with salt and pepper to taste. Again, serving with tongs is recommended.salt and pepper
Notes
- Exchange poppy seeds for everything bagel seasoning.
- Mix up the onion type – red, yellow, white or all 3.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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