14 Sweet Vidalia Onion Recipes To Savor This Season

Turkey Burgers with Vidalia Onion Rings
Photo:

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

When April comes around, we know to start searching the grocery store for fresh Vidalia onions. But the season's end in September always rolls around too soon. If you're hunting for ways to enjoy these mild Georgia gems while they're fresh this summer, look no further. From grilled onion rings to serve alongside your favorite burger to our Vidalia Onion Soup, these recipes savor the flavor of freshly harvested Vidalias from right here in the South. However, before you get cooking, be sure to check the origin of your onions. Not all sweet onions are Vidalias. Most true Vidalia onions are grown in or around Vidalia, Georgia. Once you've sourced the real thing, get to chopping. These Vidalia onion recipes add just the right amount of sweetness and onion flavor to sauces and savory dinner entrées.

01 of 14

Vidalia Onion Soup

Vidalia Onion Soup
Southern Living

The natural sugars in Vidalia onions make them perfect for French onion soup. Don’t skimp on caramelizing the onions. It’s an important step to create a rich and nutty flavor for the star in this soup.

02 of 14

Vidalia Onion-and-Vinegar Sauce

Cheese Sauce over Cauliflower
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling; Tina Bell Stamos

While this sauce was created to pair with a Roasted Beef Tenderloin, it works wonders with roasted chicken, turkey, and pork too. Made with beef stock, dry white wine, and red wine vinegar, it's a nice addition to the meat.

03 of 14

Vidalia Onion Soufflé

Vidalia Onion Soufflé
Abigail Wilt

Don’t be intimidated by this soufflé. This recipe won't fall—it's designed for success. With a texture similar to strata, you can top this soufflé with a little ham or bacon for your next Sunday brunch.

04 of 14

French Onion Soup Casserole

French Onion Soup Casserole
Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This recipe takes what you love about French onion soup and puts it into a cozy casserole. Naturally sweet Vidalia onions are ideal for caramelizing in this dish. Cook the onions the day before and store them in the refrigerator to save time on a busy weeknight.

05 of 14

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This simple soup leans on only a few ingredients to deliver maximum flavor, making Vidalia onions essential. No tending onions on the stove for this recipe. The slow cooker does all the work of slowly caramelizing the onions throughout the day.

06 of 14

Turkey Cheeseburgers with Grilled Vidalia Onion Rings

Turkey Cheeseburgers with Grilled Vidalia Onion Rings
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Tender and sweet with lots of char from the grill, these grilled Vidalia onions are eager to be stacked on your cheeseburger. Make plenty because you’ll want extra rings.

07 of 14

Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Vidalia Onions

Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Vidalia Onions
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Expect to grab a second (or third) spoonful of these not-so-average mashed potatoes. With caramelized onions and chicken broth instead of milk, they're sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

08 of 14

Strawberry-Spinach Salad

Strawberry-Spinach Salad
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Let the season's flavors shine in this bright salad that pairs fresh strawberries, spinach, and Vidalia onions with a tasty homemade dressing. Blue cheese and candied pecans round out a medley of flavors.

09 of 14

Marinated Shrimp

Marinated Shrimp
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Torie Cox

While shrimp may be the star of this dish, the Vidalia onions in the simple marinade make all the difference. Serve this easy appetizer with Saltine crackers.

10 of 14

Caramelized Vidalia Onion Pasta with Herbed Breadcrumbs

Caramelized Vidalia Onion Pasta with Herbed Breadcrumbs
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

Caramelized Vidalia onions form the base of this unexpected sauce. Stock your freezer with a batch of caramelized onions so you’ll always have this recipe ready to go. Before serving, add capers, red wine vinegar, and a panko topping for depth of flavor and texture.

11 of 14

Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled Crudités

Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled Crudités
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

This updated onion dip gets its flavor from Vidalia onions that are smoked right on your grill. Add the onion to a simple creamy base to let its flavor come through. Serve with spring vegetables that have been grilled just long enough to get a light char.

12 of 14

Cucumber-and-Vidalia Onion Salad

Cucumber-and-Vidalia Onion Salad
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley

There’s nothing complicated about this fresh seasonal salad. Raw Vidalia onions get time to show off their mild, sweet flavor without overpowering. A simple vinaigrette dresses just a few ingredients.

13 of 14

Crispy Onion Rings with Kickin' Ranch

Crispy Onion Rings with Kickin' Ranch
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

These crispy rings get three dunks to ensure the crispiest coating—a toss with flour, a dip in batter, and then a panko coating. Work in batches and replace the coating as it gets soggy. The spicy ranch is a must.

14 of 14

Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Spinach and Vidalia Dip
Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Your favorite creamy spinach dip gets a tasty upgrade with Vidalia onions. This spinach-onion dip mashup is a no-brainer for your veggie tray. Or serve with sturdy chips. This keeps up to two days in the refrigerator, but it likely won’t last that long.

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