Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (2024)

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- By Michelle Minnaar
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A ridiculously tasty side, tobacco onions are so much more than a standard onion dish. Like onion rings but with a whole new level of flavour, just one mouthful and you’ll be hooked.

Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (1)

They’re certainly as addictive as their namesake, but without the downside. So, fry up these bad boys and dig in. Once you get a taste you’ll be reaching for more.

Items you’ll need for this recipe

  • Deep fat fryer – deep frying the onions will get them extra crispy.
  • Deep frying pan – you could also use a deep frying pan.
  • Vegetable oil – vegetable oil is the best oil to use for this recipe.
  • Mixing bowl – you’ll need two mixing bowls: one for coating the onions in flour and the other to prepare the spice mix
  • Plain flour – you’ll need to dust the onions in flour to get that nice crispy texture.
  • Paper towels – you’ll need to use paper towels to remove excess grease.
  • Cayenne peppercayenne pepper gives these crispy tobacco onions an earthy flavor.
  • Sweet paprika – sweet paprika also brings a nice earthy spiciness.
  • Garlic granules – add some garlic granules to make this crispy side extra tasty.
Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (2)

Recipe for tobacco onions

This tobacco onion recipe is so simple you’ll be wondering why you’ve never tried it before. Well, better late than never!

A smokin’ side dish that’s made up of a few simple ingredients, crispy tobacco onions go perfectly on the plate alongside steak, burgers, chops – pretty much any kind of rich tasty meat dish will be taken to new heights by tobacco fried onions.

Making this recipe is so simple. It’s just a matter of heating the oil in the fryer - or saucepan if you haven’t got one - finely slicing the onions, coating them in the delicious seasoning mix and deep frying them until crispy and golden brown.

Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (3)

What are tobacco onions?

So, they look and sound great, but what are they? They are crispy deep fried onions, seasoned with a few spices, salt, pepper and sometimes garlic.

Why are they called tobacco onions?

The name was coined as far back as the 1980s by famous chef Dean Fearing. While working at the Mansion restaurant on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas, he named the recipe because the curly, brown, dried onions looked like dried tobacco leaves.

How do you store tobacco onions?

If you have leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge for around 3–5 days. Just keep them in an airtight container, for extra freshness.

How do you reheat tobacco onions?

To reheat leftovers, preheat the oven to 190°C / fan 170°C / 375°F / gas mark 5. The heat for 10-15 minutes, or until properly heated through.

What goes well with tobacco onions?

  • Sous vide beef cheeks – a melt in your mouth beef recipe that will taste amazing with this side dish.
  • Beef fillet with garlic and mushroom butter – another mouthwatering side that will taste incredible with these smoky onions.
  • Minted lamb burgers – a supremely tasty burger dish that will taste even better with smoky fried onions on the side.
  • Lamb noisettes with rosemary sauce – a stunning lamb dish that would pair fantastically well with this smokin’ side.
  • Butternut and chickpea burger – pair this crispy side with a delicious butternut and chickpea burger for an incredible vegetarian meal.
  • Roast marrow - to add some greens to your plate.
  • Parmentier potatoes - no one can say no to herby, crispy potatoes!
  • Rosemary potatoes - hasselback new potatoes cooked with olive oil, garlic and rosemary until golden and crispy.
  • Salt and pepper chips - Crispy homemade fries tossed with a flavorful blend of salt, pepper, and other seasonings, perfect for a delicious snack or side dish.
Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (4)

More onion recipes

  • Caramelised onions – an amazing dish with a rich, sweet flavour.
  • Balsamic onions – this sweet tangy side goes with everything from cheese to pate, or as a delicious burger topping.

Perfect dip accompaniments

  • pakora sauce
  • harissa aioli
  • cucumber raita
  • chilli and lime yoghurt dip
  • tzatziki
  • cacik

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Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (5)

Tobacco Onions

★★★★★5 from 1 review
  • Author: Michelle Minnaar
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Tobacco Onions comprise a sliced large onion soaked in buttermilk. Drenched in a spicy flour mixture it is then fried until golden and crispy. Perfect for dipping!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

Instructions

  1. Soak the onion rings in the buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour if time permits.
  2. Drain the onions in a colander.
  3. Mix the flour, sugar, chilli, garlic, coffee, cumin, coriander and salt in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot to 190°C/375°F using a kitchen thermometer. You can test it by placing the end of a wooden spoon into the oil. If bubbles form around the stick and float up, it’s ready.
  5. Toss multiple onions rings at a time in the flour mixture and lower them gently into the bubbling oil and push the onion away from you to prevent dangerous splattering.
  6. Fry until crispy and golden brown, which would take about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Lift the onions out with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper towels.
  8. Continue to fry the onions in batches until everything is finished. Tip: you can keep the fried onions warm by placing in the oven at a low temperature.
  9. Serve immediately with ketchup or your favourite dips, such harissa aioli. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Find the absolute largest onion you can find, roughly weighing about 450g (1lbs). If you can’t get hold of one, use two medium ones.
  • For a gluten-free version, use rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.
  • You can reuse the buttermilk for other applications, such as for a marinade base or for tenderizing purposes.
  • If you have a wok, you can use it instead of the pot.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Deep Fry
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: tobacco onions, crispy onion rings, spicy onion rings, onion side dish, deep friend onions

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Make my day! - Share your thoughts...

  1. Keira Ball

    WOW. Quick and tasty dish.

    Reply

  2. Rob

    I had never thought to use onions this way, taste was absolutely flawless thanks Michelle

    Reply

    • Michelle Minnaar

      Thanks Rob! Try them with burgers or potatoes, both work very well with these!

      Reply

  3. Dan

    Made these for the first time last. Delicious, better than restaurant.

    Reply

Tobacco Onions - An Onion Side Dish Recipe | Greedy Gourmet (2024)

FAQs

Are tobacco onions and crispy onions the same? ›

These moreish crispy onions, often referred to as 'tobacco onions' and made from freshly sliced onion, coated in seasoned flour and cooked in rapeseed oil. They are the perfect complement to many meals, salads or sandwiches and also be eaten as a snack.

What are tobacco onions made of? ›

Tobacco onions are deep-fried crispy onion slices that have been seasoned with cayenne pepper for a darker color. There is no tobacco involved! They're served on burgers or with steak in lots of English and Irish pubs. They are also delicious on top of salads and soups.

How long do tobacco onions last? ›

How do you store tobacco onions? If you have leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge for around 3–5 days. Just keep them in an airtight container, for extra freshness.

How to heat up tobacco onions? ›

Empty contents into a hot dry pan. Heat for approximately 60 seconds stirring all the time. (750W): Remove outer sleeve and film.

Which onion is the most oniony? ›

White Onions: A stronger, spicier, more pungent flavour than yellow onions. More oniony, for lack of a better term, than yellow onions. They don't hold up as well when cooked, as they tend to fall apart.

Can you eat crispy fried onions as a snack? ›

There's dimension to fried onions. Nor are they just crispy — they have some give, varying layers for your teeth to explore. But again, I cannot stress this enough, they're also just delicious. I'm now to the point where I eat them plain as a snack — like sour cream and onion chips, hold the sour cream.

Why do they call it tobacco onions? ›

They are originally known as 'tobacco onions' due to the strands of onion resembling tobacco. They are the perfect complement to any meal and can also be eaten as a snack.

Is tobacco plant bad for you? ›

All parts of the tobacco plant are poisonous because of the chemicals in the leaves, stems, and flowers. Chemicals in tobacco plant. The tobacco plant, particularly cultivated tobacco, is poisonous because of its high concentration of nicotine.

Can crispy onions go bad? ›

What is the shelf life of French's® French Fried Onions? The shelf life of French's® French Fried Onions is 18 months from the date of manufacture. For optimal taste and flavor, we recommend that you consume our product by the "Best By" date on the package.

How many years does tobacco last? ›

Tobacco like any natural product has a shelf life, whilst this shelf life can last quite a long time the tobacco starts to dry out the moment you break the seal. In an unopened pack the tobacco should stay fresh for around two years - however we know you've bought it to smoke so that's not really a consideration.

Can cooked onions go bad? ›

Cooked onions should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated as well. Like most leftovers, cooked onions will last up to four days in the fridge. Another bonus of refrigerating onions is that the cold slows down the enzymes responsible for those pesky onion tears.

How do you cook tobacco? ›

Another method is to let the tobacco infuse in cream, sugar syrup or alcohol. With cream or sugar syrup, chop the tobacco and add it to the liquid then put the ingredients in a pan and set it over a low flame until the mixture simmers, because heat will help to draw out the tobacco flavour.

How do you cook onions without burning them? ›

* After the oil is heated, put some of the slices first so that the oil settles down after sputtering. Fry on medium to high flame but do not forget to stir it continuously. * When the onion slices start getting brown, you should drop the flame so that all the slices are evenly browned.

Are crispy onions the same as French fried onions? ›

Crisp fried onions

Crispy deep fried onions are called "French fried onions" in Southern cooking of the United States. Smaller and irregularly shaped (from being deep-fried until they are crunchy) onions are an integral part of the American dish green bean casserole.

What is the difference between caramelized onions and fried onions? ›

Sautéing is the best for when you want a soft texture and a mild onion flavor, such as the base for soups or sauces. In contrast, caramelizing onions is a more time-intensive process. Still, it transforms the onions into a deep brown jam, reaching a level of sweetness that sautéed onions just don't achieve.

What do crispy onions taste like? ›

Great crispy fried onions are made with lots of fresh, sweet, aromatic onions. They're fried in fresh oil until they're deep golden brown and deliver an ultra-toasty, salty, umami punch tasty enough to eat as a snack.

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