Sweet onions vs shallots: everything you need to know

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Onions and shallots are staples in kitchens worldwide, each bringing their unique twist to dishes. While they’re both part of the same family, sweet onions and shallots offer distinct flavours, textures and uses that make them stand out in different cooking styles. Whether you’re looking for something to add a touch of sweetness to a salad or a subtle depth to a sauce, understanding the differences between them will help you make the best choice for your meal. Grown on Dutoit Farms, these shallots and sweet onions are nurtured to achieve optimal growth and carefully handled during harvesting to ensure the best quality. Both aliums have relatively short seasons, with harvesting only taking place between January and March for sweet onions and January and May for shallots, so consumers have limited time left this year to get their hands on these sweet, acidic and spicy delights.

Let’s dive into what sets sweet onions apart from shallots, and how to use them to their full potential in the kitchen

1. Sweetness vs subtlety: flavour profiles

Sweet onions are loved for their milder, sweeter flavour. Thanks to their lower sulphur content, they have a gentler taste and don’t bring the same sharpness or tears that traditional onions do. This makes sweet onions perfect for raw dishes such as salads, salsas and sandwiches, where their subtle sweetness can really stand out.

Sumac-marinated sweet onions recipe

Shallots, however, have a more nuanced flavour, often described as a cross between onions and garlic. They’re milder and sweeter than regular onions but have a distinct hint of sharpness that makes them ideal for cooked dishes. They are smaller and a little more oval-shaped than the everyday onion and grown in clusters, much like garlic, rather than in single bulbs. Shallots are soft and have thin layers, making them easier to chop finely and incorporate into dishes without the dominating texture and flavour of the hardier onion. Shallots are perfect for adding depth to sauces, dressings and roasts, and while they can be used raw in small quantities, they truly shine when cooked.

2. Varieties and regional specialties

While there are different varieties of sweet onions globally – such as Vidalia onions from Georgia, USA – these locally grown onions are prized for their natural sweetness. Many of these sweet onions are available from late summer to early autumn (roughly February to April), so they’re best enjoyed during these months.

Shallots, on the other hand, come in several varieties, including red, golden and purple, each bringing its own subtle flavour to different dishes. Dutoit Farms is the only producer of shallots in South Africa and supplies Woolworths through their 'Farming for the Future' initiative.

3. Culinary uses: raw or cooked?

Sweet onions are incredibly versatile and can be used both raw and cooked. When raw, their sweet, mild flavour makes them perfect for fresh salads, salsas or sandwiches. They’re also a great addition to summer dishes when you’re looking for a light crunch.

When cooked, sweet onions transform beautifully. Sautéed, caramelised, or roasted, they turn soft and develop a rich, syrupy sweetness that adds a wonderful balance to soups, stews, and burgers. Their flavour deepens, giving them a new dimension and making them an excellent addition to slow-cooked dishes.

Shallots are best when cooked gently to release their mild sweetness. They’re ideal for adding depth to sauces and dressings or for sautéing as an aromatic base for risottos, braises and roasts. While they can be used raw in dressings or garnishes, their subtle flavour is best appreciated in cooked dishes, which melt into the overall dish without overpowering it.

crispy shallot noodles 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 program helps reduce water consumption, improve soil health, and promote biodiversity, ensuring that sweet onions are grown with care for both the environment and future generations. Shallots are also commonly grown using sustainable methods in various regions, making them a good choice for those who prioritise ethical sourcing in their cooking.

Photography: Shavan Rahim
Recipes: Marcelle van Rooyen
Food assistant: Bianca Jones

more onion recipes here

As a trusted supplier to Woolworths, Dutoit Farms is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainably grown produce. Its sweet onions and shallots are essential ingredients for every kitchen, with sweet onions offering a mild, natural sweetness perfect for everything from fresh salads to caramelised dishes. Shallots, with their delicate, aromatic depth, elevate sauces and dressings, adding complexity to your meals. Grown with care using environmentally friendly farming practices, these onions and shallots are a delicious, sustainable choice for your cooking.

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