How Long to Boil Onions

Onions are a plant from the allium family that have a multi-layered, edible bulb. There are hundreds of different varieties of onions that each have a distinctly unique flavor. Some onions are sweeter or more bitter than others, and some may be more crunchy or soft than other varieties.

Onions are an incredibly popular ingredient in dishes from around the world. They can be eaten raw or sauteed, but they can also be enjoyed simply by boiling them. This guide will teach you the basic steps of boiling onions, as well as exactly how long to boil onions in different situations.

How to Boil Onions

1. Peel the dried outer layer away from the onion, and save the scraps to make vegetable stock.
2. If you’re leaving them whole, slice off the root section. If you’re planning on chopping them, cut them up at this point in the process.
3. Add water and a heaping pinch of sea salt to a large saucepan or pot, and bring to a boil.
4. Add the onions to the water, and boil them for the appropriate amount of time (see below for details).
5. Once the onions have boiled for the right amount of time, remove them from the heat and strain.
6. Serve the onions with the desired garnishes or use them as a component in a different dish.

How Long to Boil Onions

How Long to Boil Yellow Onions

Yellow onions should be boiled for 7-10 minutes until all of the layers have softened.

How Long to Boil White Onions

White onions should be boiled for 7-10 minutes.

How Long to Boil Sweet Onions

Sweet onions should be boiled for 10 minutes or until tender.

How Long to Boil Red Onions

Red onions are one of the best varieties of onion to eat raw, but you can also boil them for 15-20 minutes.

How Long to Boil Shallots

Shallots are in the onion family and have a milder flavor. Boil shallots whole for 2 minutes or cut shallots and boil for 30-60 seconds.

How Long to Boil Whole Onions

Boil whole onions for 10-20 minutes until they’re cooked all the way through.

How Long to Boil Chopped Onions

Boil chopped onions for 5-15 minutes. If you chop them into larger pieces, boil them for closer to 15 minutes. If you dice them finely, you may only need to blanche them for a few seconds or up to 1-2 minutes, depending on how fine they’ve been diced.

How Long to Boil Sliced Onions

Thinly sliced onions should be boiled for 3-4 minutes. Thick slices of onions can cook in boiling water for 5-6 minutes.

Table: How Long to Boil Onions

Type of Onion	How Long to Boil (in minutes)
Yellow Onions	7-10 minutes
White Onions	7-10 minutes
Sweet Onions	10 minutes
Red Onions	15-20 minutes
Shallots	2 minutes
Whole Onions	10-20 minutes
Chopped Onions	5-15 minutes
Sliced Onions	3-6 minutes