# Shallots: How many is "one" shallot? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 24, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071 "2023-12-24T03:57:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/1 "2023-12-24T03:57:12Z")
I was looking at some recipes that call for a shallot (as in one). But, when I went to the store some shallots had two…bulbs…in one single wrapping of the dry “paper” that encases them. Then, I saw other shallots which had been broken up. The bulbs were separate. So, which is “one” shallot? (not to mention their size can vary a lot) You can kinda see it in this pic: [![](https://www.highmowingseeds.com/media/catalog/product/cache/6cbdb003cf4aae33b9be8e6a6cf3d7ad/2/7/2711-1.jpg) ](https://www.highmowingseeds.com/media/catalog/product/cache/6cbdb003cf4aae33b9be8e6a6cf3d7ad/2/7/2711-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/2 "2023-12-24T04:03:34Z")
I’d say the first variant (two bulbs in one wrapper) counts as one. With shallots, I do the same as I do with onions—I decide what the “average” size is and proceed accordingly. If I want more, I just pick a bigger onion. If I want less, I go with a smaller one. If it fits in the palm of your hand, it’s probably right. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/3 "2023-12-24T04:12:37Z")
A ‘standard’ sized prisma shallot (the kind typically found in grocery stores) is about the diameter of a ping pong ball across its width and usually slightly flattened. ‘Twin’ shallots are usually about the same collectively, although I have been seeing some ‘giant’ doubled shallots that are each that size, together almost approaching the size of a small onion. The taste of shallots are mild compared to red onion or sweet onion (and much less pungent than garlic) so it doesn’t really hurt to go a little larger, especially in sauté. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/4 "2023-12-24T04:18:21Z")
Yep. Go by your tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/5 "2023-12-24T04:41:41Z")
100% agree but, when I try a new recipe, my process is to follow what the writer wanted as closely as possible. I’ll then make notes and adjust in the future (if I make it again). ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/6 "2023-12-24T06:04:08Z")
I use as many individual shallot bulbs as gets me to a small onion. About like this: > **[https://i.redd.it/taxkl3zg0pl41.jpg](https://i.redd.it/taxkl3zg0pl41.jpg)** Sometimes it’s one good-sized shallot, sometimes it’s a couple of small ones. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/7 "2023-12-24T12:27:36Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Sometimes it’s one good-sized shallot, sometimes it’s a couple of small ones. And that’s shallot. (Oh come on, someone had to) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/8 "2023-12-24T17:31:49Z")
~Groan!~ 🤭 ---
**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:** [December 24, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/9 "2023-12-24T18:39:20Z")
Took me a second to get, until I remembered you guys across the pond say it differently. In the US, it’s generally SHALL-it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/10 "2023-12-24T18:43:33Z")
I’ve know people who pronounce it faux-French, as SHAL-Low. I’ve tried to correct them, but it doesn’t stick. And I agree with others: one of them things covered in skin is one shallot, not matter how many bulbs are inside. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/11 "2023-12-24T19:30:07Z")
This kind of question is one example of why I prefer recipes not call out for amounts like that, or “one medium-size onion.” What’s wrong with specifying a particular volume or weight of prepared (diced, sliced or whatever) item? ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/12 "2023-12-24T19:33:16Z")
Because I don’t want to chop 7/8 of an onion, and for most recipes it doesn’t matter if the onion is a little larger or smaller than normal ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/13 "2023-12-24T19:35:00Z")
In that case, the recipe could indicate that the amount listed is only approximate rather than thinking that what they think medium sized is what I think is medium sized. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/14 "2023-12-24T19:36:54Z")
I think that would be obvious? Should the recipe specify “approximately one onion”? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/15 "2023-12-24T19:38:55Z")
I would prefer that. Keep in mind that when I am following a recipe, I am an idiot and also quite literal. ---
**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:** [December 24, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/16 "2023-12-24T20:11:12Z")
Most recipes aren’t nearly as precise as some people would like to think. There’s a lot of room for fudging. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/17 "2023-12-25T04:43:38Z")
Recipe writers consider on average 1 shallot is 1 ounce (28 grams) or about 1 tablespoon when peeled and chopped. But remember that most recipes allow for a good deal of variation (“to taste”), especially in flavoring ingredients like shallots. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/18 "2023-12-25T05:04:03Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I’d say the first variant (two bulbs in one wrapper) counts as one. I concur. And I use shallots every year in my much loved turkey stuffing/dressing. Instead of onions I used about half a bulb per dish- one in the bird, and one in a casserole to be baked, Maybe a whole bulb. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/19 "2023-12-25T14:31:15Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Go by your tastes. That’s how I do it when I’m working in the kitchen. If the recipe says “mince one shallot” and my shallots are small, I might mince three. Or chop one and mince one. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071/20 "2023-12-25T14:33:40Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > Because I don’t want to chop 7/8 of an onion, and for most recipes it doesn’t matter if the onion is a little larger or smaller than normal Agree. Then again, if all I have are huge volleyball sized onions, I’ll mince the entire onion and then put 3/4 of it into a ziplock bag for use over the next few days. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shallots-how-many-is-one-shallot/995071.md?page=2)