Vidalia onions never excited us. How could they when they look quite ordinary, uninspiring, downright plain? When we bought onions it was to give our recipes a kick. . . . an additional layer of flavor. Sweet onions simply did nothing for us. Little did we know that all it would take was one taste of a Garlic Roasted Vidalia and we'd be forever smitten. This recipe has been updated from the original June 2016 version in order to provide a better experience for our readers. Last update May 2019.
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How Vidalia Onions captured our attention
But sweet onions? They seemed insipid -- pretty much wallflowers of the vegetable department. We always passed them by without a second look.
Little did we know that our opinion would change drastically, and not only would we fall under the charm of their sweet delicious taste, but we'd find several more reasons to keep them on hand.
It all started with a nice easy conversation with Jane, a friend on Saint Simon's pier. We were busy talking about decorating, gardening, family, our windblown dos, you know, important things. When out of a the blue she mentioned that a relative from her hometown of Vidalia was visiting and he had a pickup bed full of Vidalia onions.
I was dying to ask, "What the heck is he doing with all those onions?"
It was hard, but I didn't blurt out the question that was on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I listened to her talk. I looked up, and to my surprise Jane's husband was handing me a large brown sack full of those papery, light yellow skinned onions.
Vidalia Onions state vegetable
Wow! A huge sack full of onions. What were we going to do with them?
The only recipes I could come up with was onion rings or caramelized onion. That would take care of just about two or three of them. What would we do with the rest?
The locals on the pier were staring at the onions in the sack.They were looking at the squat, ovoid onions as if they were precious jewels. I again looked in the sack.
Was I missing something?
Someone must have taken pity on me because he kindly explained that Vidalia onions are considered the official state vegetable of Georgia and they're highly prized for their taste and benefits.
Vidalia onions even have a mascot named "Yumion". How cute is that?!
The benefits of Vidalia Onions
Immediately everyone started telling us their favorite recipe for Vidalia onions.
The recipe mentioned the most was a variation of the one that we posted below: Garlic Roasted Vidalia Onions.
They all had an opinion, not only about their favorite recipe, but also about the health benefits of their favorite root vegetable.
The health benefits of onions
- One person blurted out that their doctor told him to include Vidalia onion in his diet because it was effective in preventing heart disease, strokes, and blood clots. Plus, he said the doctor read an article that it also helped control high cholesterol. I think the doctor probably mentioned onions, but being from Georgia, I'm sure he assumed Vidalia onions. 🙂
- Another chimed in that sweet onions helped her allergies because they acted as anti-inflammatories and they had anti-histamine properties. Who was I to argue with her? My red itchy eyes and runny nose were yelling at me to give those onions in the sack at least a try.
- A third said that she was eating more Vidalia onions because they were shown to increase bone-density and helped strengthen and support connective tissue in the body as well as hair. She was in her eighties, walked every day and was as spry as a thirty year old. Hmmm, I thought, Vidalia onions were sounding better and better by the minute.
- The fourth person said that they helped his sleep and mood due to the phosphate in them. His friend elbowed him and chuckled, "It's folate, not phosphate." Gee, who couldn't use a good nights sleep?
- That evening we made our own version of roasted Vidalia onions and we came up with a fifth reason of why we should be sweet on Vidalia onions.
The taste!
The Garlic Roasted Vidalia Onions were supremely sweet, delicious and addictive!
Do you want to know if we went though that entire sack of Vidalia onions?
You bet we did! Now we consider them one of the stars of the vegetable department. There are hundreds of recipes that include Vidalia onions -- try these sweet onion recipes along with us. We're sure that you'll be sweet on Vidalia onions too.
Here are so more vegetable sides you may enjoy...
Orzo Stuffed Peppers Italian Style
The recipes are delicious and always a favorite at our house.
Tutti a tavola è pronto.
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
YOU MAY NEED...
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We keep bouillon on hand like this beef bouillon to enhance broths or to stuff in these sweet onions. If may also do a vegan version if you like by using vegetable bouillon. The choice is yours but we know you'll love the taste and so will your family.
Sweet On Garlic Roasted Vidalia Onions
Vidalia Onions are sweet to begin with but garlic roast them and they become even sweeter. It's hard to believe, I know. This is such an easy recipe and the delicious bulbs taste like they're coated with sugar. A real treat when you're grilling. Yes! You can bake them but grilling them makes it such a fun experience. Try them -- we assure you that you'll love them as much as we do.
If you like this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating.
📖 Recipe
Garlic Roasted Vidalia Onions
Ingredients
- 4 medium to large Vidalia onions
- 3 Tablespoons soft unsalted butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- pepper
- 4 beef bouillon cubes may use chicken or vegetable crushed.
- extra-virgin olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Balsamic glaze optional
- Butter crunch lettuce or some other similar lettuce
Instructions
- Skin and core onions. Coring the onion is a lot like coring an apple -- use a sharp knife and be careful not to cut through bottom of onion. Cut a cross on the top of the onion taking care not to go all the way down.
- Place the onions on a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is large enough to bring all edges up and over the onions once they are filled. Place the onions and foil on a baking tray.
- In a small bowl mix together the soft butter, garlic, pepper, crushed bouillon cubes
- Fill each onion core with the butter mixture.
- Rub each onion with olive oil and season with salt and pepper and smoked paprika
- Bring the foil up and over the onions sealing the foil.
- Bake in a preheated 425 F. for 30 minutes or until tender. The size of the onions will make a difference.
- Serve the onions on the lettuce, then drizzle some of the delicious juice over the onion and the balsamic glaze over the onion and lettuce.
Notes
- Recipe can be easily increased or decreased. You can also roast the onion on the grill
Nutrition
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KariAnne Wood
This seriously looks so good! And I think it's something that I could MAKE!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy right now!
Thanks for inspiring me, friend!
karianne
Dene' V. Alexander
These look delicious!! I can only imagine if maybe they were added to a vinaigrette or other dressing!! that roasted flavor mixed with the other ingredients sounds to die for! I sometimes cook chicken marinated with sweet Vidalia onion dressing...DELISH!!!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Dene'! Onions sometimes are underrated -- they add so much flavor! I bet your chicken tastes out of this world!
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
What a great story! Love the Yumion mascot - too cute 🙂 This recipe looks like a delicious way to enjoy Vidalia onions!
Marisa Franca
Thank you, Marlynn! The mascot is cute, isn't he? I love his name.
Molly Kumar
Now, this is a completely new recipe for me and I've never baked onions in such way....infact I've never baked onions all together. I'm so bookmarking to try your recipe soon.
Marisa Franca
It's really delicious, Molly! The beauty of it is that you can make any filling you like and the onion tastes super sweet.
Veena Azmanov
wow.. I've always been a big fan of onions. Never heard of Vidalia onions but there are so many variety to choose from now days... I grew up with a mom who strongly believed in ginger garlic and onion as the best anti oxidant for the body. I actually do enjoy onions raw in my salad and Pizza too too! Some find that weird.. My favorite is grilled onions.
I've never tired them like that roasted garlic and bullion.. SO I can't wait to try.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Veena! We like grilled onion too. In fact, you can take a sweet onion and do the same thing as baking it. So very good!!
ManilaSpoon
I can just imagine how very tasty this roasted vidalia onion must be!! That balsamic glaze surely brings this over the top!!
Marisa Franca
We really like our balsamic glaze and it just added to the onion!
Swathi
Never thought roasted onions looks this nice, These are not only simple recipe but also great recipe . I need to give it try try. I will try to find vidalia onions.
Daniela Anderson
Not sure I have ever heard for vidalia onions before, maybe it's just me that I have not paid attention properly, but your recipe sounds amazing. So flavorful and yummy, I would not mind some at all.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Daniela! Vidalia onions are great but if you can't find them, any sweet onion will do. There are a few varieties out there. If you do try the recipe let me know how you like it.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
I am a Blooming Onion lover, in fact we just had some yesterday. This variety of onion is TOPS!! I will have to give this a try....perfect to go alongside a steak.
Marisa Franca
Hi, Gloria! Well, we are having it tonight -- only with a tuna steak. ?
Noel Lizotte
LOL Nothing like getting the locals all wound up!
We eat a lot of onions at our house, too. I've got a couple of roasting recipes that are similar to this. There's nothing like a nice fat roasted onion sitting on the plate next to your favorite grilled meat!
Marisa Franca
You are so right, Noel. In fact, we're having it tonight with our Tuna steaks. I've been wanting to make the appetizers with the Vidalia onion but haven't had the chance yet. Have a great week.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
These sound amazing Marisa! I knew onions were good for you but didn't realize all of those benefits so Thanks for sharing! I'm a big fan of onions and use them pretty much daily but never thought of this. Can't wait to try this.
Frank
I'm usually pretty critical of produce on this side of the pond, but I have to say, we're lucky to have Vidalias. Love that sweet taste!
Marisa Franca
I do too, Frank. Wish I would have "discovered" them years ago.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
We eat Vidalia's all the time! Love them lightly grilled with a bit of chimichurri next to a skirt steak. This recipe looks so simple, and delicious I'm going to have to give it a go! (p.s. I'm a Penzey's spice fan too!)
Marisa Franca
Hi Lisa! We haven't grilled them yet but that is on the schedule 🙂
Renee
I love vidalia onions! They are the only kind I like to eat raw, but taste pretty amazing when cooked as well. When I was a cheerleader in high school we used them to make blooming onions as a fundraiser to sell at varsity football games. They sold out and we made so much money for uniforms. Those things were so good! I've never tried one roasted, but after reading this I will have to!
Marisa Franca
Hi Renee! Well, we haven't made a blooming onion - we'll have to try it. Do you have a favorite recipe??
Klauss
Very interesting story of this vegetable culture (to be honest I first heard about this onion). Hopefully someday happy to try this wonderful onion, it looks appetizing anyway
Marisa Franca
Hi Klauss. I believe any sweet onion would work, although we haven't had any other sweet onion - we've gotten spoiled with the Vidalias. I hope you'll have a chance to try them - it's quite an experience.
Kathrina
I haven't really thought to make onions a side dish, but these look great! I love all the people telling you about the benefits. They're almost a wonder veggie! 🙂
Marisa Franca
They really are a super veggie. They talk about the benefits of garlic but onions have even more so.
Immaculate
When shopping for onions would definitely keep an eye out for vidalia . Can't wait to try it out.
Marisa Franca
You won't be disappointed Immaculate. What we are looking forward to is trying the different recipes featuring Vidalias.
Ciao Chow Linda
I love Vidalia onions and wouldn't have any trouble going through a whole sack. Your recipe would be wonderful with a good steak or pork chop.
Marisa Franca
Once we discovered how good the onions are we didn't have any trouble going through that sack either 🙂
Angela Roberts
How funny the timing is here. I just went to a special food writer's dinner sponsored by the Vidalia onion association and the chef made an exquisite soup and a vidalia onion ice cream. You'll see pics soon. I had to run out and buy a bag and now I need another bag. I'm going to try your recipe!
Marisa Franca
That is funny timing, Angela! I can't believe we ignored those great tasting onions all this time. I'm looking forward to seeing your recipes and pics! Have a great day!!
Diane P.
We always buy Vidalia onions because they are so sweet. But we've never roasted them before. Will try this recipe this week----promise! It looks wonderful!! And I loved the story behind it. Will have to investigate the "health properties of onions" a little further! Great post, Marisa!
Marisa Franca
Thank you Diane! Will the person that won't be mentioned by name and doesn't eat veggies -- will he try one? Can't wait to get your opinion 🙂
Diane P.
He will try one! He eats them in stew all the time. Besides----they're not GREEN!
Marisa Franca
Try to roast one for him and see if he likes it 🙂
RossC
We fell in love with Vidalia Onions while living in Missouri.. We have to hunt for them here in California but, they are worth the hunt..
I appreciate the healthy part but, The Taste is the reason we love them..
Thank you for the good recipe.. Now I have to go hunting for some.. :O)
Marisa Franca
Hi Ross! I certainly hope you find them. If you get desperate they ship to you but you'd probably have to order a huge box and then you'd have to give them away as gifts 🙂
Susie
Looks, delis.....We love Vadalia onions....I plan to make this recipe this week! Another great recipe, MARISA.
Thanks a bunch (of Vadalia's). Haha
Marisa Franca
Hi Susie, Are you staying cool? Well we certain are in the love Vidalia camp now. We are certainly glad we got that sack!! Hugs to you and the family.
Jovina Coughlin
What a great story Marisa. Love this recipe. Vidalia onions are my favorite and now I have a new recipe to make. This is very creative and I bet delicious. I can get to use my new bottle of balsamic vinegar from Italy on the onions.
Debi Besore Schilling
OOOOhhhhhh Yummy!!!! Going to make tonight!
xox,
Debi
Marisa Franca
Hi Debi!! It is so good to hear from you sweet friend. You'll enjoy the onions I'm sure -- Have a great weekend. Big hugs!!
Jessica Quinn
This sounds so yummy!!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Marisa Franca
Your welcome Jessica. I do hope you try it.
Debbie & George
We certainly enjoyed the ones you shared with us! I did roast several of them also.
Marisa Franca
Hi Debbie and George!! Truthfully we hadn't ever had them before. It was such a wonderful surprise how much we loved them. I'm looking into more recipes for the onions. Have a great weekend.
Chiara
so tasty, so delicious !Have a nice weekend Marisa !
Marisa Franca
Grazie Chiara! Anche tu!
RaShell @ Mommy's Apron
These sound delicious! I love the backstory. Thank you for sharing.
Marisa Franca
Thank you RaShell and I also appreciated your suggestions off site 🙂