# Anyone else dislike Onions? Let's talk **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [August 11, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932 "2025-08-11T16:48:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/21 "2025-08-11T18:43:38Z")
Almost every savory dish I make has onions in it. I love ‘em. But my brother is sensitive to them when they’re more than a grace note in a dish, and my daughter hates them if they’re too big, so I’ve learned to cook with fewer, or without. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/22 "2025-08-11T18:47:21Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > How do you do with other alliums (Garlic, chive, shallots, scallions, leeks)? Allium sensitivities are fairly common. I can think of at least three friends who need to avoid them. There is also some kind of disease/condition that results in being unable to eat onions, garlic, capsicum (bell or chili peppers), and black pepper. The first time I met someone with this problem, I internally rolled my eyes: “yeah, right. You do know that “pepper” refers to two botanically completely unrelated foods when you talk about bell pepper and black pepper, right? So what are the chances you have an allergy/digestion problem with two separate foods that have nothing in common except similar names?” Uh … turns out I was wrong. There IS a real condition that makes people unable to consume those exact substances. (I think our late poster Lynn Bodoni may have had it too.) I knew a guy who traveled a lot on business to Jakarta - he always stayed in the same hotel and they knew him in the restaurant, so were expert at preparing food he could eat. Beyond that, I don’t think he went out to dinner much or even dined at the homes of friends. As for me - bring on the cooked onions, I love ‘em. Raw onions are hideous. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/23 "2025-08-11T18:58:58Z")
Cooked celery is quite lovely IMO. I don’t know what it is that I can taste that many others can’t, but I think celery when it’s sauteed (as in mirepoix et al) is robust and delicious. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/24 "2025-08-11T19:06:08Z")
I’ll sort of agree, when it is used in a casserole as in New Orleans cuisine… it just disappears into the meld there. Raw celery though… not my thing. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/25 "2025-08-11T19:07:39Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Onions are a third of the Holy Trinity (onions, green bell peppers, and celery) I’ve heard scallion, ginger & garlic as the trinity of Chinese cooking. I don’t think they’re used quite that same way as other trinities but onions=scallion, leek and globes are all big in a lot of Asian cuisines, too. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/26 "2025-08-11T19:17:06Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Cooked celery is quite lovely IMO. I don’t know what it is that I can taste that many others can’t, but I think celery when it’s sauteed (as in mirepoix et al) is robust and delicious. Does it have the same taste to you as celery seeds? I generally dislike celery on the basis of both texture and taste, but celery seeds are an indispensable addition to homemade broth. They have a pleasantly sweet, earthy aroma. I wonder if you sense something similar in the stalks. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/27 "2025-08-11T19:18:44Z")
Onions form the base of at least half the dishes I cook. So, no, I do not dislike them. My cooking would be severely cripped were I not to have onions at hand. I mean, I could make do, but it doesn’t mean I’ll like it. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/28 "2025-08-11T19:24:47Z")
When I was younger, I did not like onions. Partially, I think my palette evolved, but partially I think I just never had them cooked/prepared properly. The first time I had a truly well-prepared caramelized onion, I nearly died from pleasure. Similarly, I did not like red onions in a salad, but then I had them shaved incredibly thin and I loved them. I cannot live without them now. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/29 "2025-08-11T19:25:07Z")
Maybe - I don’t really use celery seed (maybe I should get some). Its sort of a savoury/umami flavour, plus something that is like a very mild curry aroma ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/30 "2025-08-11T19:27:13Z")
Oh yeah, I’m all about some onions. I’ll take 'em in just about anything I eat, assuming they’re “reasonably compatible.” I might even ask for extra. There’s a salad place I go to for lunch sometimes, and when you order something that has onions in the recipe, they’ll ask if you want the onions. I asked one of the workers about it one time. Do you really get a significant number of people who say no? And she told me that yes, they get enough nos that it’s a good idea to ask. That took my by surprise, but then again, the last person who said no? I’ll take their portion. Green bell peppers? Well, meh. No strong feelings. They can be there. If not, I won’t miss them. Celery? Kinda meh, but tilting more toward “I’d rather they not be there.” I’ll deal with it if chopped-up pieces are mixed in with other stuff, but I think there are too many, you might see me picking some out. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/31 "2025-08-11T19:36:31Z")
Caramelized onions are da bomb. You need patience to get them right, but they are sweet when done and a good complement to a lot of dishes like French onion soup or just a homely burger (an Oklahoma onion burger is really good when done right). Red onions, the sweetest of the bunch, are good raw and sliced very thin for a deli sandwich. I use alliums of all sorts: leeks (potato/leek soup is great), garlic, shallots, etc. all have their uses. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/32 "2025-08-11T19:41:02Z")
You can do this in twenty minutes or less: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/THkNFnN.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/THkNFnN) But, yes, easiest to do it slowly. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/33 "2025-08-11T19:42:52Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’m curious: > > How do you feel about green onions (scallions) or garlic? They likely would not have the texture problem you object to. Their flavor is still there of course. I am OK with these. Scallions and garlic avoid the things I dislike about whole onions. And chefs don’t tend to overdo it on the scallions. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/34 "2025-08-11T20:23:23Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > The only good onion is a fried onion Yep, onion rings are good, raw onions upset my stomach. Okay in small amounts in a salad, but I take off or tell them “no onions” on a burger. > [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Onions have their place in sauces. Celery, however, is only a ‘vegetable’ in the botanical sense, in my opinion. Celery is there to add crunchiness and some fiber. Only good to use to eat dips, peanut butter, etc, In my famous turkey stuffing made with sage sausage, I use scallions rather than onions, and not a lot. Yes, there is celery. > [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > . Scallions and garlic avoid the things I dislike about whole onions. And chefs don’t tend to overdo it on the scallions. Good point. And Bell Pepper? hardly part of a western diet or a “trio” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/35 "2025-08-11T20:55:06Z")
Moderating: This is turning into an onion love fest. The OP was specifically looking for others who hate onions, i think. Maybe there’s no one here who does? I think that “nope, i don’t hate onions” is responsive to his question. But, “look at my recipes for delicious onions” strikes me as getting into thread shitting territory. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/36 "2025-08-11T21:13:23Z")
I used to use onions in quite a lot of sauce recipes. But over the last few years I’ve gotten rather tired of the standard ‘saute the onions until brown’ starter procedure. And they always left my hands smelling of them! Nowadays I generally use shallots or garlic for most recipes. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/37 "2025-08-11T21:28:58Z")
I can understand the dislike. They are pungent, for sure. And the tendency to put both onions and garlic in the same dish is way too common. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/38 "2025-08-11T21:34:03Z")
I am onionist, every cold cut handheld anytime any where must have onion slices, slices of unctuous cold raw crunchiness. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/39 "2025-08-11T22:54:16Z")
In keeping with the spirit of the OP, the thought of that just sounds nasty! 😃 Don’t you like the taste of cold cuts? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932/40 "2025-08-11T22:57:55Z")
After I posted this thread, Discourse found a Related one from 2011. This one seems to have more onion haters. But the SDMB members have changed significantly in 14 years. > [@Who decided onions go on almost everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-decided-onions-go-on-almost-everything/591873): > > As you might guess, I really hate onions. Why do people put something with such a strong flavor on so many foods - burgers, hotdogs, and so on. In many cases they overwhelm every other flavor. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-dislike-onions-lets-talk/1021932.md?page=3)