Onions, scallions and shallots

Mobear · 09-03-2011, 08:32 AM

I've noticed in quite a number of posts about recipes someone will comment that they use shallots rather than onions to save carbs. I checked out shallots at the grocery store and oh my goodness they are $4.99 a pound

After checking carb counts this is what I found. For the amounts measured I used 100 grams since that was standard for all the "onion" types I looked at.

Onions raw Carbs 9.34, fiber 1.7, net 7.64
Onions sweet, raw Carbs 7.55, fiber .9, net 6.65
Scallions raw, bulb and green top Carbs 7.34, fiber 2.6, net 4.74
Shallot Carb 16.8, fiber 0, net 16.8

Can anyone straighten me out on this? Maybe when some people say shallots they really mean scallions?

Here is the link for the carb counts: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

buttoni · 09-03-2011, 01:37 PM

Every counter I've ever seen shows scallions to be higher in carbs and they even taste sweeter to me, so they likely are much higher in natural sugar. I personally avoid them because they are even higher than yellow onions. Plus, I personally prefer the taste of a caramelized onion over shallots any day.

I suspect people are really meaning scallions (not shallots) to save carbs. At least they're getting the first letter right! LOL

Nigel · 09-03-2011, 01:40 PM

I use the green onions...I guess they are scallions?...I don't know. They just taste better to me and I use very little at a time and regular onions taste different after a couple of days in the fridge when they have been cut.

I was under the impression that shallots were a cross btw onions and garlic...I think that was on food network one day.

Nigel · 09-03-2011, 01:42 PM

I googled them...this link might shed some light, hopefully.
Learn the Differences Between Two Similar Foods: Shallots and Scallions

Grace · 09-03-2011, 01:47 PM

If, however, you really need/want shallots for a special recipe they are usually $2.99 a pound in Asian markets. I just bought some this week. They last me 3-5 months in the cupboard - unlike onions.

Mobear · 09-03-2011, 05:54 PM

Thanks for the replies! I do think some people are saying shallots when they really mean scallions (long green onions). Golly, now I have to find out more about leeks

.

A few years ago scallions were involved in a large e-coli (or was it salmonella)outbreak in the United States so I guess I had better make sure I know how to clean them!

I'll keep the Asian market in mind if I do actually need shallots cause there isn't anyway I would pay $4.99 a pound for them.

ravenrose · 09-04-2011, 07:32 AM

I think they may use a shallot and just use a lot LESS by weight than they would onion...

the best for lowest carbs is green onion TOPS, throwing away the white part.

any onion you use is a lot sharper raw, so stirring a little bit in at the end can give you more onion flavor for less carbs than letting it saute well at the beginning as recipes normally do.

sauteeing onions turns them very sweet, so you might want to add ONE drop of liquid sucralose to the recipe if you skip that step. you want it subtle though.

buttoni · 09-04-2011, 11:34 AM

Oops, I meant to type shallots in that first sentence in my post above. Man, I'm doing it now, too. Another senior moment there. Shallots are higher carbs; scallions are lower carbs.

Steak_Fanatic · 09-04-2011, 12:00 PM

Wow. 16.8 net? I do love all three and use them in a lot of my cooking, but remember it is measured by weight. I could use 300g of onions, at about 29g net carbs, or 100g of shallot at the 16.8. I will still obtain my onion flavor, using less weight.

I also like green onions in eggs, and other dishes. I believe that most of the carbs are in the white bulbs. I calculated 2.14g net carbs for just the tops with a Calorie Counter - Count Calories & Food Nutrition Facts FREE

09-03-2011, 08:32 AM	#1
Mobear Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OH Posts: 1,071 Gallery: Mobear Stats: 235/192/LESS WOE: Bernstein Start Date: 9/2010	Onions, scallions and shallots I've noticed in quite a number of posts about recipes someone will comment that they use shallots rather than onions to save carbs. I checked out shallots at the grocery store and oh my goodness they are $4.99 a pound After checking carb counts this is what I found. For the amounts measured I used 100 grams since that was standard for all the "onion" types I looked at. Onions raw Carbs 9.34, fiber 1.7, net 7.64 Onions sweet, raw Carbs 7.55, fiber .9, net 6.65 Scallions raw, bulb and green top Carbs 7.34, fiber 2.6, net 4.74 Shallot Carb 16.8, fiber 0, net 16.8 Can anyone straighten me out on this? Maybe when some people say shallots they really mean scallions? Here is the link for the carb counts: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ Last edited by Mobear; 09-03-2011 at 08:33 AM.. Reason: Add link

09-04-2011, 07:32 AM	#7
ravenrose . Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California Posts: 9,074 Gallery: ravenrose Stats: lost 130 lb so far, and miles to go before I sleep WOE: low carb controlled calorie Start Date: June, 2009	I think they may use a shallot and just use a lot LESS by weight than they would onion... the best for lowest carbs is green onion TOPS, throwing away the white part. any onion you use is a lot sharper raw, so stirring a little bit in at the end can give you more onion flavor for less carbs than letting it saute well at the beginning as recipes normally do. sauteeing onions turns them very sweet, so you might want to add ONE drop of liquid sucralose to the recipe if you skip that step. you want it subtle though. __________________ Often I don't come back to read threads where I've posted. If you want me to see something, please send me a private message. Thanks!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-03-2011, 01:37 PM	#2
buttoni Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 3,314 Gallery: buttoni Stats: 196/170/150 WOE: Primal 8/12 Start Date: 4/21/09 Height 5'5", Age 64	Every counter I've ever seen shows scallions to be higher in carbs and they even taste sweeter to me, so they likely are much higher in natural sugar. I personally avoid them because they are even higher than yellow onions. Plus, I personally prefer the taste of a caramelized onion over shallots any day. I suspect people are really meaning scallions (not shallots) to save carbs. At least they're getting the first letter right! LOL

09-03-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
Nigel Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,074 Gallery: Nigel	I use the green onions...I guess they are scallions?...I don't know. They just taste better to me and I use very little at a time and regular onions taste different after a couple of days in the fridge when they have been cut. I was under the impression that shallots were a cross btw onions and garlic...I think that was on food network one day.

09-03-2011, 01:42 PM	#4
Nigel Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,074 Gallery: Nigel	I googled them...this link might shed some light, hopefully. Learn the Differences Between Two Similar Foods: Shallots and Scallions

09-03-2011, 01:47 PM	#5
Grace Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Southeast Oklahoma Posts: 396 Gallery: Grace	If, however, you really need/want shallots for a special recipe they are usually $2.99 a pound in Asian markets. I just bought some this week. They last me 3-5 months in the cupboard - unlike onions.

09-03-2011, 05:54 PM	#6
Mobear Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OH Posts: 1,071 Gallery: Mobear Stats: 235/192/LESS WOE: Bernstein Start Date: 9/2010	Thanks for the replies! I do think some people are saying shallots when they really mean scallions (long green onions). Golly, now I have to find out more about leeks . A few years ago scallions were involved in a large e-coli (or was it salmonella)outbreak in the United States so I guess I had better make sure I know how to clean them! I'll keep the Asian market in mind if I do actually need shallots cause there isn't anyway I would pay $4.99 a pound for them.

09-04-2011, 11:34 AM	#8
buttoni Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 3,314 Gallery: buttoni Stats: 196/170/150 WOE: Primal 8/12 Start Date: 4/21/09 Height 5'5", Age 64	Oops, I meant to type shallots in that first sentence in my post above. Man, I'm doing it now, too. Another senior moment there. Shallots are higher carbs; scallions are lower carbs.

09-04-2011, 12:00 PM	#9
Steak_Fanatic Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 170 Gallery: Steak_Fanatic	Wow. 16.8 net? I do love all three and use them in a lot of my cooking, but remember it is measured by weight. I could use 300g of onions, at about 29g net carbs, or 100g of shallot at the 16.8. I will still obtain my onion flavor, using less weight. I also like green onions in eggs, and other dishes. I believe that most of the carbs are in the white bulbs. I calculated 2.14g net carbs for just the tops with a Calorie Counter - Count Calories & Food Nutrition Facts FREE