Shallots have a milder taste and odor than onions, so shallots are more commonly eaten raw. However, when cooked, shallots can lose their flavor quickly, and so onions are preferable in cooked food like stir fries. Onions are also crunchier than shallots.

Onions and shallots are both bulb vegetables in the same plant family that originated from central Asia. They are both used as ingredients to flavor dishes and can be eaten on their own.

Comparison chart

	Onion	Shallot
Appearance	Large and round. Yellow, red or white bulbs.	Long, slender bulbs. Smaller than onions.
Health Benefits	High in fiber, good for blood sugar and blood pressure	High in anti-oxidants, good for blood pressure and cholesterol
Calories (100g)	40	72
Carbohydrates (100g)	9.34g	16.8g
Protein (100g)	1.1g	2.5g
Fat (100g)	0.1g	0.1g
Originates from	Central Asia	Central and southeast asia
Annual production in US (tonnes)	3,349,170	Few (mostly imported)

What is a Shallot?

A shallot is technically a type of onion. Historically, shallots were their own species (Allium ascalonicum) but they are now classified as a variety of the Allium cepa (onions).

Shallots can be distinguished from the common onion by their appearance. Shallots are smaller and have longer, slimmer bulbs than the common onion. Both vegetables have a similar taste but shallots are less pungent.

Nutrition

100g of onions contain 9.34g of carbohydrates, 1.1g of protein and 0.1g of fat. They also contain 1.7g of dietary fiber and 23mg of calcium. 100g of shallots contain 16.8g of carbohydrates, 2.50g of protein, and 0.1g of fat. They are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Calories in Shallots vs. Onions

Shallots have more calories than onions. 100g of onions contain 40 calories while 100g of shallots contain 72 calories.

Health Benefits

Onions are rich in fiber and allicin, which reduces cholesterol and blood pressure. They are also a rich source of quercitin, which has anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory functions.

Shallots are a rich source of anti-oxidants, such as quercetin, and kemferfol, and are also a good source of allicin. They are also rich in vitamin A, phridoxine, foliates, thiamin, and vitamin c, and contain lots of iron, calcium, copper, potassium and phosphorus.

For Diabetics

Both onions and shallots contain allicin, which helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetics. Onions are also a rich source of chromium, which helps tissue cells respond appropriately to insulin.

Substituting Onions for Shallots and Vice Versa

Depending upon the recipe, it may be possible to substitute onions for shallots and vice versa. The general rule of thumb is 3 shallots are equivalent to 1 onion, considering the differences in size and pungency. If a recipe calls for raw shallots, it's hard to substitute onion because the taste will be stronger.

Myanvy is supplying Shallot & Red Onion, various kinds & grades, just feel free to contact us: