# Uses for french fried onions other than green bean casserole **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 25, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299 "2021-09-25T00:10:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/1 "2021-09-25T00:10:05Z")
After many year of having green bean casserole and munching on the spare fried onions, I’ve come to regularly snack on small amounts of them, which has made me painfully aware of the fact that they are now only located in the same place in the grocery store as green beans. The first time I needed a refill on them without getting green beans at the same time, I assumed they would also be somewhere else, but I couldn’t find them anywhere. So after many years and many cans gone, I thought today - what else do you use french fried onions for? The green bean casserole recipe was invented in 1955 by Campbell’s, and seems to just assume that french fried onions are readily available. I suppose French’s might have been making them back then too, but why? What did people use them for before green bean casserole? Did people just eat them as a snack like I do now? Since they are tied close enough to green bean casserole now that the grocery store leaves them next to the green beans permanently, there obviously isn’t some other particularly popular use for them. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/2 "2021-09-25T00:13:37Z")
I put them on salads. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/3 "2021-09-25T00:28:43Z")
Idk, but Asian grocery stores sell large bags of them. So I assume they’re used on Asian dishes. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2021, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/4 "2021-09-25T00:31:03Z")
Raw in the mouth. Erm On soups Salads Sandwiches Casseroles Frittatas Scrambleds Philly cheesesteaks Pizza Chex mix Raw right in The mouth ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/5 "2021-09-25T00:54:07Z")
frenchs needs to bring back the caramelized ones… those were crack in a can (or container) ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/6 "2021-09-25T01:09:08Z")
They add nice crunchy flavor to tacos. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/7 "2021-09-25T01:14:24Z")
I like to add them to French dip or Italian beef sandwiches. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/8 "2021-09-25T01:17:01Z")
Crispy fried shallots are used a lot in Indonesian cooking, scattered across the top of rice dishes for a garnish that’s pleasing to both the eye and the palate. In my experience in Indonesia, everyone made their own, fresh, rather than buying them in the store. However, I could easily imagine a demand for pre-made ones, especially if you don’t have either the free time or household staff to do the painstaking work of making them from scratch (as was usually the case in Indonesia, but is far less likely to be true for emigres). ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/9 "2021-09-25T01:29:11Z")
They make an excellent burger topping, especially with a whiskey infused BBQ sauce and smoked cheddar. I also add them anywhere I want a contrasting flavor or texture, so on top of an omelet, french onion soup, any number of stir fried dishes, and on top of some cheese sauces. Really though, it’s rare I buy them at all - generally I want them for one of the above (burger most often) and then use them up on the other options until they’re gone. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/10 "2021-09-25T01:41:20Z")
> [@glowacks](#): > > …they are now only located in the same place in the grocery store as green beans. In the supermarket I frequent, they are in the canned vegetables aisle. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/11 "2021-09-25T03:32:47Z")
Fried shallots are the Asian version. You can get them in the Asian aisle in most Australian supermarkets. I have never been without them for years. In fact, we used to keep a huge jar in the office for topping various things. You simply add them to anything that onions would improve - sandwiches, soups, salads, stir fries, sprinkle on mashed potatoes. The other day I made a bacon and egg roll. I spread the bread with brie ,sprinkled on some fried shallots and topped them with a slice of bacon and a fried egg. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/12 "2021-09-25T03:40:37Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > In the supermarket I frequent, they are in the canned vegetables aisle. At mine, this is true…unless it’s in the run-up to Thanksgiving, at which point there will also be a large in-aisle display of them, near the big display of canned pumpkin. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/13 "2021-09-25T04:48:46Z")
Here are the recipes from French’s: > **[French's Original Crispy Fried Onions | French's](https://www.mccormick.com/frenchs/products/crispy-fried-veggies/original-crispy-fried-onions#ProductRecipes)** > > Try French's Original Crispy Fried Onions for a perfect crunchy addition to any dish like casseroles. Find it at grocery near you for your next recipe. All of the recipes have a definite 50s/60s feel like this [“easy casserole which kids will love”](https://www.mccormick.com/frenchs/recipes/salads-sides/stuffed-taters) but from that site, you can put them on anything. Anything at all. The only limits are your imagination and sodium tolerance levels. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/14 "2021-09-25T06:08:52Z")
I’ve also heard of people pulverizing them and using them like bread crumbs. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/15 "2021-09-25T06:13:22Z")
French’s also makes fried jalapenos and those are crack on the hoof. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/16 "2021-09-25T12:22:59Z")
Toss a few in a poke bowl. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/17 "2021-09-25T12:57:31Z")
The gas stations around here often have the “roller grill,” which is things that cook between the rollers, like hot dogs, bratwurst, etc. You can also have a “cheeseburger” as long as you don’t mind it being shaped like a hot dog, IOW. Anyway, among their numerous “fixins” choices are French fried onions. ISTM like a great thing to add to a lot of stuff. I love onion, and they add crunch. 45 cal for 2 Tb, though, better not get too crazy. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/18 "2021-09-25T19:26:05Z")
To garnish split pea soup. With smoked ham. And cheddar… Got any bread? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/19 "2021-09-26T02:51:58Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > I made a bacon and egg roll. I spread the bread with brie ,sprinkled on some fried shallots and topped them with a slice of bacon and a fried egg. Jesus Christ on a pogo stick, this sounds _amazing_ and I need to remember the idea! O.P. I like French’s on top of any casserole-style dish. I used to make a “loaded mashed potato” type of casserole that includes a layer of French’s in the middle (they lose the crunch but add wonderful flavor) and then you top it near the end of baking, since the onions can burn if baked for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299/20 "2021-09-26T04:35:08Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > French’s also makes fried jalapenos and those are crack on the hoof. Picked up a large bag of fried Hatch chilis at CostCo a couple weeks back. They have a smokey flavor from the chili roasting step. It’s also half gone already. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-french-fried-onions-other-than-green-bean-casserole/951299.md?page=2)