Everything you should know about dulce sweet onions
Meet the onion that won’t make you cry. Sweet onions bring natural sweetness and a gentle flavour to your dishes, making them perfect for everything from fresh salads to caramelised sides. Here’s what makes them special, when they’re at their best, and how to use them in your kitchen.
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At first glance, dulce sweet onions may look like ordinary onions, but their flavour tells another story. They’re milder, juicier and naturally sweeter, thanks to their low sulphur content. That means no tears when chopping and no harsh aftertaste – just a smooth, mellow flavour that enhances any meal. These Spanish-inspired onions are grown locally in the Koue Bokkeveld for Woolworths. Cultivated through the Farming for the Future initiative, these onions ensure sustainability from soil to shelf.
1. What are dulce sweet onions?
Dulce sweet onions are prized for their crisp texture and subtle sweetness. Their low sulphur content allows you to taste all the naturally occurring sugars, making them perfect for both raw and cooked dishes. You can enjoy them sliced into salads, tucked into sandwiches or caramelised until deliciously jammy for a cheeseboard addition.
2. When are they in season?
Harvested from December to March in South Africa, dulce sweet onions have a short season that makes them all the more special. Buying them fresh during this time guarantees their best texture and natural flavour.
3. How to use dulce sweet onions
Dulce sweet onions are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in countless ways. Try them:
Raw: Thinly sliced into salads or salsas for a mild, sweet crunch.
Sautéed: Gently cooked until translucent for pasta sauces or omelettes.
Caramelised: Slowly cooked until golden and syrupy to top burgers and pizzas.
Dulce sweet onion sambal recipe
4. Sustainability
Sustainability is a key consideration for many local farmers. For instance, farmers working with Woolworths focus on sustainable practices through the Farming for the Future initiative. This programme helps reduce water consumption, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity, ensuring that dulce sweet onions are grown with care for both the environment and future generations.
Photography: Sadiqah Assur-Ismail
Recipes: Abigail Donnelly
Food assistant: Bianca Jones
Woolworths’ onion range has something for every dish. Brown onions bring a classic pungency that’s ideal for soups, stews and slow-cooked comfort meals. Red onions add vibrant colour and a mild bite – perfect for quick pickles, salads or roasting. Shallots offer an aromatic sweetness that instantly elevates sauces, dressings and more. And for raw dishes, Woolworths’ dulce sweet onions deliver a mild, natural sweetness that’s versatile and easy to use. Whatever you’re cooking, there’s an onion that fits.
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