Garlic and Onion Substitute

Years ago, when I was preparing for intense Yoga and meditation programs, I had to refrain from eating garlic and onion daily. So, I looked closely at why I use garlic and onion in my dishes and the ways I can substitute those substances. 

I used to add loads of garlic to my dishes, mainly for flavoring. So the solution to substitute garlic in cooking for me was primarily in spices. I will show you the way I do it shortly. 

When it comes to the onion, the story is not so straightforward because there is a texture involved. So a combination of spices and vegetables with a similar texture is necessary. After some trial and error, I figured out for myself some solutions that allow me to create flavor-full texture-rich dishes and never miss an onion or garlic.

First, let’s look at how to substitute garlic, and then we will move to different onion substitutes. 

Garlic Substitute

We profess love for the garlic because if it is the main spice used in a dish and if you remove it, the dish becomes flavorless and bland. But let’s say, the look and smell of your dish titillate your senses, and it’s bursting with flavor the second it touches your tongue. Would you miss garlic then? Truthfully, would you? More likely, the thought of garlic there or not would never cross your mind. You would just simply enjoy the meal, right? That’s what I witnessed many times, anyway.

I can see how it can be overwhelming when it comes to spices, and especially when you have not used much before. I’m a very busy person. Some days I wish I didn’t have to sleep because it always seems like days are flying by in seconds, and 24 hours aren’t enough to accomplish what I set myself to. 

To save time and simplify the cooking process, I created these two spice mixes that are very easy and quick to do, and they can be used in almost any savory dish. For that reason, I’m calling them Universal Sattvic spice mix and Basic Savory Sattvic spice mix. Having these two spice blends at my disposal streamlines my cooking. Contrary to garlic, the use of these spices will not aggravate your system and will support the digestive processes.

After you are done with this article, you can check them out along with my Positive Pranic Must have spice blends video, to see how I make them, and for detailed recipes.

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Onion Substitute

As to onion replacement. I want to share my five favorite vegetables I use in my daily cooking that made it easy for me to part with onions for good. 

Substituting Onion with Celery

Finely cubed celery is a wonderful onion replacement in curries, soups, and stew dishes. I use it so much when I’m making grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, and the like.

Most often I like to sauté finely chopped celery first, and then incorporate it into hot dishes. But in some cases (certain curry recipes or soups) sautéing is not required.

And certainly, when it comes to salads and sandwich components, it works exceptionally well, adding crunch and freshness at the same time. For salads and toppings, more often, I slice it very thin (watch the video to see the way I do it)

The following recipe is an example of how I use celery to substitute onion in hot dishes. You can use the same method and replace quinoa with rice, millet, or other grains (be sure to soak your grains before cooking to increase bioavailability).

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Substituting Onion with Napa Cabbage

Napa Cabbage (also known as Chinese cabbage) is widely used in East Asian cuisine). Napa cabbage has a tinge of sulfury taste, slightly reminiscent of onion. 

The white core of the Napa cabbage is firm, juicy, and crispy. It sautés and browns very well. It is an excellent onion substitute. Anywhere you need an onion, you can use it. 

As to the cabbage’s green parts, you can make a scrumptious salad out of them. Sauté or steam with a splash of lemon and a pinch of salt will make a lovely addition to a side dish.

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Substituting Onion with Fennel

Fennel is a perennial herb that belongs to the carrot family. Fennel’s firm and juicy texture combines with a complex flavor profile with a mildly pungent taste with a hint of anise. 

The fennel bulb, when braised or roasted, caramelizes well, turns golden brown and becomes silky in texture, just like an onion would. By cutting it in long thin strips, (watch me do it in the video), you can fool anyone into thinking that it is an onion. It totally fools your brain and satisfies your taste buds. 

It serves well in all the hot dishes as an onion substitute but looks exceptionally convincing as garnish served on the top of veggie burgers, falafels, mashed potatoes, and the like. Thinly sliced braised Fennel incorporates well in flatbreads and savory pancakes. 

Here is the way I do it. Slice the fennel bulb into thin slices. To the pan, add 2 tbsp of refined coconut oil (sesame seed or grapeseed oil), two heaping teaspoons of Basic savory sattvic spice mix (check the link in the description for the recipe, or see this video to watch the way I do it).

Warm up your spices, do not roast them, just warm them up a bit. Incorporate your chopped fennel, and mix well. Cover with the lid and let it go on medium heat for about 5-6 minutes, then add salt and let it simmer on medium-low heat until caramelized and becomes silky.

Green fennel stalks work well with rice, quinoa, barley, and other grains. I love to add them to couscous dishes and legumes. I just chop them to fine ringlets and add them towards the end of the cooking process.

And with freshly chopped fennel bulb, you can substitute onion in all the salads or toppings. 

As to the green fennel parts, I love to use them fresh in savory as well as sweet dishes to add a pop of bitter-sweet taste. Fresh fennel greens work very well as an addition to sauces, dressings, and salads.

When used in hot sauces, soups, curries, and other hot dishes, add them at the very end of the cooking process. And I mean at the very end. I love to incorporate finely chopped fennel leaves into a dish right after I turn the heat off. Because fennel leaves are very thin and delicate, there is enough heat to process them, so they revive their flavor. 

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Substituting Onion with Bock Choy

Bok choy is a variety of Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage). It is very comparable to its older sister – Napa Cabbage, in preparation and uses. I found it milder in flavor but never the less a great onion substitute. 

If the recipe calls for finely chopped onion, I prefer to use baby bok choy. It is perfect for incorporating as a part of the veggie burger, stuffed peppers (or other stuffed vegetable recipes). 

The raw white parts of baby bok choy can be used as an onion substitute in salads, sandwiches, and other raw recipes. It is a perfect onion substitute that provides wholesome nutrients to your body without leaving you with stinky breath.

I prefer regular bok choy for soups, stews, fries, and baked vegetables. Because it is larger in size, it adds the necessary texture and volume to the dish.

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Substituting Onion with Lemon Grass

Lemongrass adds a fresh lemony flavor to hot dishes and sauces. I love using it in soups, stews, stir-fries, and pasta dishes. 

Lemongrass stalks have to be finely chopped into small ringlets resembling scallions. After which they can be incorporated into soups, stews, fries, and other hot recipes. Sometimes I add them to plain rice or buckwheat at the beginning of the cooking process. 

Finely chopped lemongrass adds a lovely texture and fresh aroma to your dishes. 

I’m growing my own lemongrass in pots. You can buy it in the local grocery stores or Asian markets.

Which onion substitute do I use more often? Here’s how it goes in my kitchen:
Quinoa and rice – definitely finely cubed celery.
Soups, stews, and curries – a combination of finely cubed celery + bok choy (or Fennel); fennel stalks and leaves.
Veggie burgers, falafels, flatbreads – baby bok choy, fennel.

Be Alive 🌱,
❤ Love, Julia

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