Can I Use Country Onions in Place of Garlic?

While it is not advised to use country onions as a direct one-to-one replacement of garlic, you can add a mild garlicky flavor to your dishes using the West African spice. 

• Country onions have a mild, garlicky flavor to them that allows them to be used in recipes that call for a garlic flavor. 
• Use country onions in soups, stews, pasta dishes and grilled foods as a delicious substitute for traditional onion powder or garlic. 
• Find country onions at our online spices store.  

If you’re really looking to get creative, explore our whole collection of spices and spice blends. 

Enjoy our Simple and Tasty Recipe Blog.

While it is not advised to use country onions as a direct one-to-one replacement of garlic, you can add a mild garlicky flavor to your dishes using the West African spice. Country onions have a pungent aroma and are known for their rich, savory flavor. In this blog post, we’ll cover the origin of the spice, the flavor profile, and culinary uses. 

Origin of Country Onions 

Country onions are onion-like bulbs that are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. They are especially prevalent in countries like Ghana, Gabon, and Cameroon. Country onions are a traditional ingredient in West African cuisine and have a unique flavor profile. 

Flavor Profile of Country Onions 

Perhaps surprisingly, country onions taste more like garlic than traditional onions. They have a mild, garlicky flavor to them that allows them to be used in recipes that call for a garlic flavor. The pungent taste of the country onions is one of the first things you notice about them. With their mild garlic flavor, they are versatile in the kitchen and have a diverse range of culinary uses. 

Culinary Uses of Country Onions 

Use country onions in soups, stews, pasta dishes and grilled foods as a delicious substitute for traditional onion powder or garlic. Here’s a breakdown of the possibilities: 

• Soups and stews. Country onions add depth and richness to soups and stews, enhancing traditional dishes with their pungent, garlicky aroma and taste. Country onions are featured in the traditional Cameroonian achu soup (yellow soup), where they are part of the “achu spice” mix. 

• Pasta dishes. The garlic found in many pasta dishes can be substituted with country onions. One example is spaghetti aglio e olio, a popular and simple way to use garlic in spaghetti. The spaghetti is traditionally created with garlic that’s sauteed in olive oil and then combined with cooked spaghetti. Country onions can be used in place of the garlic. 

• Grilled foods. Country onions complement grilled meats such as steak, chicken, and burgers with their pungent taste.  

Overall, country onions are very versatile and can often be used in place of garlic or onion powder. 

How Do I Find Country Onions? 

Are you a home cook or chef who is interested in sparking your creativity and experimenting in the kitchen? Are you looking for a substitute for garlic that is a little milder? You’re in luck—we’ve got some country onions on hand. Save yourself a trip to the grocery store and order now. You’ll get your country onions delivered direct from the farm to your front door.  

Our spices are always sustainably and ethically grown, harvested by women farmers in West Africa. When you buy from Yaji Spice, you know the women are getting paid at or above Fair Trade, and you know that trees are being planted. Rest easy knowing your purchase will help women farmers and their families as well as the environment. And if you’re really looking to get creative, explore our whole collection of spices and spice blends.