With their interesting shape, often vibrant colors, and plenty of hot and sweet flavor to them, shallots have to be one of the most interesting vegetables that you can use in the kitchen.
And this range of qualities also makes them some of the most versatile ingredients to work with, too!
Shallots might be one of the most popular vegetables to use in a recipe, whether you realize it or not, and are used in a massive variety of cuisines that can make use of some of its amazing qualities.
However, that variety also presents a sort of problem. See, while this makes shallots very popular, it also means that there are almost too many choices for any one person to decide on when it comes to making a single recipe.
Now, some people argue that this is a great thing, and they’re even not wrong necessarily.
But when you have a thousand recipes to choose from, and can’t even pick one, you may find yourself suddenly doubting whether having all these options is all that helpful!
However, there is a simple solution to this: Simply narrow down the thousands to the single, maybe even double digits, and you’ll find that a lot of that option paralysis fades away.
With that in mind, we have collected some of the best recipes that use shallots that you can make for yourself, right now!
Not only that, but they are also relatively simple to make, so there’s no excuse not to try your hand at cooking with these ingredients!
1. Caramelized Shallot Pasta
We’re starting our list with a very simple recipe that anyone can try for themselves, even if they don’t know if they’re cut out for cooking.
Pasta is a dish that is popular with pretty much everyone, both young and old, so this will be a reliably popular recipe that you can whip up for the family.
The shallots add a real variety of flavor to this pasta sauce that could otherwise be missing, making it a simple, yet effective way to add new flavors.
Plus, this is a recipe that doesn’t take long to cook, making it an even better last-minute dish to have handy!
2. Creole Pork Tenderloin With Vegetables
Creole is a pretty fantastic cuisine, utilizing a ton of flavors that are unique to the SouthEast US and Central America.
And, as this recipe shows, shallots are right at home in this particular palette!
3. Shallot Tarte Tatin
While tarts are often associated with sweet dessert recipes, there are several savory versions of the dish that are served as sides or main meals, and a lot of them can use items like onions or, in our case, shallots.
You’ll get an interesting combination of sweet and savory flavors with this recipe!
4. Shallots Roasted With Sugar & Vinegar
Now, if you’re looking for a simple recipe for a side dish, then this will be the dish for you.
Shallots are often quite tasty to eat on their own as a small snack or as a side dish for the main meal, provided that they have been given the correct seasoning
All you need is a little sugar and vinegar, and you’re good to go!
5. Grilled Shallots With Dill
Of course, while grilled or roasted shallots by themselves are a simple dish, that doesn’t mean that they have to be served simply.
Sometimes, they can be served with a few extra ingredients for flavor and decoration, like dill is used here!
6. Caramelized Shallots
Being similar to onions, but not quite as strong in their flavor or effects, opens up shallots to a world of possibilities when it comes to different cooking styles and techniques.
For example, grilling an onion, while possible, isn’t exactly something that many people intentionally do.
But, with a little garlic clove for some extra flavor, you have the perfect topping for pretty much any burger or hot dog that you could want!
7. Chicken Thighs With Shallots & Spinach
Chicken thighs are a staple dish that is part of many main course meals. Now, what if those chicken thighs came pre-served with their vegetables on the side?
Cooking your chicken with shallots not only cuts down your overall meal cooking time but also opens up your chicken to plenty of new flavors, getting a little sweeter as they are cooked in the same pot and juices.
8. Beef Fillet With Port Sauce & Fries
Who doesn’t love a good beef fillet?
Well, unless you are vegan or vegetarian of course, but the point still stands!
And with any good beef fillet should also be some premium beef sauce to go with it. And what goes phenomenally with beef sauce and fries?
We think you know at this point!
Get the right amount of sweetness with the shallots in this recipe!
9. Fried Or Caramelized Shallots
Once again, we can’t overstate just how appetizing some good old-fashioned caramelized onions are.
Whether you eating them on your own while you are grazing, or adding them on top of a burger or sandwich, don’t pass up shallots for their more famous cousins!
10. Shallot–Red Wine Purée
Now, if you’re looking to create a red wine stock for a future recipe, whether it is a roast dinner or a base for a bolognese, you’ll want something that can balance out against the strong flavors of red wine, preferably with a little hint of sweetness.
Fortunately, shallots make for the perfect stock and purée ingredient too!
11. Balsamic Caramelized Shallot Pasta
Once again, we turn to the ever-reliable pasta dish. This time, with a little something extra in store for you!
This particular dish adds something a little extra to the mix, this time mixing in a little balsamic vinegar for the extra flavor which, when combined with the cooked shallots will bring a flavor that is both appetizing and mature for people of all ages.
12. Peas With Shallots
Now, if you’re looking for simple meals, you can’t get much more simple than this!
This is the perfect snack for those vegetarians or people that want to make snacking greens a much more appetizing prospect!
13. Roast Beef With Red Wine Gravy
We return to the roast beef again, this time with a different kind of sauce being used.
If you remember the red wine purée that we covered before, this might be a little familiar to you.
This gravy, combined with the extra sweetness from our favorite vegetable, is the perfect main meal to put in front of any meat lover.
Fairly simple, yet elegant and delicious, there’s nothing quite like the pleasure of juicy, flavorful steak!
14. Gut-Friendly Garlic & Shallot Oil
If you’re looking for a recipe that doesn’t just taste great but is also great for your health, this is the recipe for you!
Garlic, despite its powerful odor, is famous for its natural remedial properties, so you’d better believe that we’d love an oil recipe that can be used with pretty much any meal that wants a little flavor and health benefit added to it.
And, of course, don’t forget about the shallots too!
15. Morels With Mint, Peas, & Shallot
Morels are a striking type of fungi that look a little more like plum stones or raisins than they do mushrooms.
However, as this recipe shows, when combined with the right herbs and vegetables, they also make for a phenomenal recipe that is both delicious and vegetarian-friendly!
16. Poulet Au Vinaigre (Chicken Thighs With Shallots In Red Wine Vinegar)
Red Wine Vinegar is the perfect complement to a light meat or vegetable dish that wants a little extra richness in it.
So, you’d better believe that red wine vinegar goes well with chicken!
This recipe combines both to make a dish that is packed full of vegetable flavor and goodness, as well as some distinct, strong red wine to create a phenomenal sauce!
17. Greek Breakfast Casserole
Many people may not associate shallots (or casseroles for that matter) with breakfast.
But they work surprisingly well, both together and individually, as ingredients, if you have a good recipe to follow.
And fortunately, we have just the dish for just such an occasion!
18. Tommy Banks’ Herb Poached Chicken With Shallot & Yogurt Purée
Many of the recipes that we have covered so far have been feeding whole tables, as well as being a little on the easier side. After all, easier recipes are… well, easier to try!
However, if you’re looking for a recipe that uses shallots and tests your skills, then this is the dish for you!
Poached chicken is a tricky recipe to get right, especially while balancing it with other ingredients like shallots.
However, when it lands, there’s no other dish quite like it!
19. Slow-Roasted Whole Lemons
So… slow roasting a lemon? Have we hit the bottom of the barrel?
Not on your life! You haven’t lived until you’ve added some lemon just that has been slow-roasted to perfection to your plate or recipe.
Especially when the shallot helps bring out that extra hint of sweetness to the mix!
20. Fried Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are… a contentious vegetable. While there are fans of this vegetable out there, many people find the bitterness of these little packages of greenery a little too much.
Fortunately, many people have learned to add plenty of other ingredients to help balance out that bitterness, from bacon chunks to chestnuts to, you guessed it, onions and shallots too!
If you want to turn your most hated vegetable into something you love, give this recipe a try!
21. Spring Peas With Pancetta & Shallots
If you have a batch of spring peas that are ready for harvesting, you may be wondering about any recipes that you can use for this early season growing green.
If that;’s the case, consider giving this recipe a try!
22. Italian Wedding Soup
This hearty broth and its contents are the perfect recipes for pretty much any occasion, whether it is a cold night or a big wedding reception with a lot of mouths to feed.
From plenty of meat to tons of shallots, a big pot of this soup can go far!
23. Classic Turkey With Gravy & Roast Shallots
If you want to try adding some extra flavor to your turkey recipes next thanksgiving, don’t forget to try this recipe for yourself!
24. Butter Lettuce With Shallot Vinaigrette
Lettuce might seem like a pretty boring vegetable on its own, but… Well, it kind of is. Healthy, but not very interesting, is it?
Thankfully, recipes like this are here to make it much more interesting!
25. Lao Poached Bass With Shallots & Eggplants
If you’re looking to set your culinary horizon a little further afield, then you may want to consider trying out some Asian flavors.
This bao recipe uses shallots for the perfect combination of soft doughy goodness and savory-sweet flavors!
26. Gluten-Free Breakfast Casserole
Once again, we reiterate, if you haven’t tried a good breakfast casserole, you owe it to yourself to try out one like this now!
And, of course, don’t forget to use the shallots too!
27. Pumpkin & Plantain Mash
Plantain often gets mistaken for banana a lot, but it’s much more often used in savory recipes than its sweeter cousin.
However one mouthful of this phenomenal mash, mixed with pumpkin and shallots, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived with just plain old mash in the first place!
28. Celeriac & Pear Soup
Celeriac might not be the most famous vegetable out there. But what it lacks in fame (or infamy), it has in fresh new flavors!
Give this particular recipe a try, and see how this soup turns out for you!
29. Crispy Chickpeas With Fried Shallots & Cilantro-Mint Chutney
Chickpeas are a very popular ingredient for many vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes across the world.
By roasting these little pieces of veggie goodness with some fresh shallots, you can also experience how great these little guys are!
30. Venison Loins With Shallot Sauce & Stewed Quince
Of course, if you feel like venison meat is a little more up your street, you should know by now that shallots can also make this cut of meat even better, especially when mixed with a sauce!
31. Quick Pickled Shallots
It’s just like pickling onions. Only now, they’re even longer!
If you want to find a way to make your sandwiches a little more interesting, try out this recipe for yourself!
32. Mushroom Marsala With Barley
Ah, the masala. A staple of pretty much any Indian cuisine and menu.
Like with many other recipes, if onions can work with a dish, then you’d better believe that shallots can be used too!
For a tasty, hearty, and earthy meal, you can’t go wrong with this one!
33. Spring Onion Bhajis With Mint & Coriander Chutney
If you’re looking to make the perfect Indian-style dip or chutney, then you simply have to try out this recipe for yourself!
Bhaji, which traditionally uses onions, can be made with shallots too!
34. Acar Ketimun (Cucumber, Chile & Shallot Pickle)
There’s more than one way to pickle a gherkin, so why wouldn’t there be more than one way to make a pickled shallot too?
The perfect accessory to a sandwich or burger, especially for extra sweetness!
35. Lao Tomato Dip
If you were wondering what exactly you can serve with the bao recipe that we covered earlier, we have the perfect answer right here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people may have been going through the recipes that we have covered, and be starting to wonder what exactly the difference is between shallots and other types of similar vegetables, such as white or red onions.
Generally speaking, the easiest way to distinguish these different vegetables is their shape.
Shallots tend to be noticeably longer or taller than onions, whilst also being significantly thinner on average, although you may still find a short, wide shallot or a tall onion from time to time.
Outside of this, you can also usually tell the difference based on their taste and smell.
While onions and shallots generally have the same texture and flavor when cooked (hence why they are often used interchangeably in the same recipe), shallots tend to have a less pungent taste or smell to them, making them popular for people who aren’t big fans of the heat that onions have.
(this also makes them better off not making you cry, funnily enough!)
So, you have recently bought a bag of shallots for a recipe, but want to know how you can store them to keep them fresh for longer.
Shallots, like onion, prefer to stay in cold areas (around 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit) that are also dry. Storing them in a cupboard away from any heat sources will usually suffice to keep them fresh.
You should also avoid keeping them in vessels or bags that cannot collect moisture, so keep them out of plastic bags (such as the one they may have been sold in), and try and keep them in something like a mesh bag or net basket.
This will stop condensation and moisture from building up and spoiling them sooner.
On that note, how long exactly does it take for shallots to spoil when kept properly?
Well, they are generally quite good at staying fresh and edible for longer periods than many other vegetables, provided that they are kept cool and dry.
A whole shallot kept in the right conditions can last for up to 2 months and still be used in a recipe without any issues, making them a great item to have in your pantry for several weeks at a time.
Once the shallot has been cut up, the sliced vegetable will last a few days before starting to mold (3 to 4 at most), as the protective layer and skin are now gone.
Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, there’s pretty much no end to what exactly you can prepare with a few good shallots.
And this is just the best of the best that we could find. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other incredible recipes that use this humble little ingredient, just waiting to be cooked.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a knife, a chopping board, and some shallots, and get started with one of these recipes!
Cooking is great for your mental, physical, and emotional health. What’s the worst that could happen? Find a recipe that you like the sound of and cook it along with me. You might even unlock a new passion!
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