When it comes to making delicious fajitas, the type of onion you use is just as important as the other ingredients. The right onion offers subtle sweetness and crunch that will send your mouth into a culinary state of bliss.
So, what kind of onions should you use for fajitas? To get the perfect flavor and texture for your dish, you should opt for one of these three types of onions:
- White Onions
White onions are widely used in Mexican cooking, and for good reason. Popular in salsa and guacamole, they have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a crunchy consistency. They also hold their shape when cooked and retain their flavor, making them the perfect choice for fajitas.
- Red Onions
Red onions have a sharp, robust flavor with a hint of sweetness. Their crunchy texture also holds up well when cooked. They’re an ideal addition to fajitas for those who want a little bit of extra bite on their taste buds!
- Yellow Onions
Yellow onions are easily found in grocery stores and have a mild flavor that only gets sweeter when cooked. They are firmer than red onions, but still offer a crunchy texture that works well in fajitas.
No matter what kind of onion you choose, it’s important to remember that the amount you use is also significant. If you add too much onion, it will overpower the other flavors in the dish. Start small and adjust according to your own taste preferences.
Slice the onion into thin strips and sauté quickly in oil before adding it to your fajita mix. This will give you the best flavor and crispness.
Fajitas are one of the easiest dishes to make, and the right onion can make all the difference. So be sure to choose your onion wisely to get the most out of your fajitas! White, red, or yellow onions all work great, but it’s up to you to decide which will work best for your dish. Give different kinds of onions a try and see which one you like the most.
Photo by Paul Magdas on Unsplash
How to cook onions for fajitas?
Before you start, you want to ensure you have the right type of onion. For fajitas, you want to use one of the following: yellow onion, white onion, red onion, or sweet onion. Each of these will give you slightly different flavors and textures, so choose whichever you or your family prefers!
Once you have your onion, here is the proper way to cut it: start by slicing off the top and bottom of the onion, making sure that each slice is about one-half inch thick. Peel off the skin and discard. Now, cut the onion in half from top to bottom, then slice each half into 1/4-inch thick slices. Take your time and make sure these are even slices—this will help ensure that they cook evenly.
Now it’s time to cook the onions. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add one tablespoon of oil, such as vegetable or olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion slices and stir to coat with the oil. Cook for about five minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are softened and beginning to caramelize. This will give them a nice, sweet flavor and a bit of crunch.
Once done, remove them from the heat and transfer them to a bowl. At this point, you can add a little salt and pepper, or some other seasonings, if you like. This step is entirely up to you – have fun and experiment with your favorite flavors!
Also, we recommend you to read our article about differences between avocado oil and olive oil for popcorn.