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Amsterdam onion

Amsterdam onion

Main dishes

Silver onions, preserved in vinegar and spices, a traditional dish in Amsterdam Jewish cuisine.

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Recipe from Mahjon99, Hombre, NikiWiki and 1 other contributors (KochWiki), adapted by Recette de cuisine ·

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Amsterdam onions are a type of silvery onion preserved in vinegar and spices. Their characteristic yellow color comes from the spices used, particularly saffron. These onions originated in the Jewish cuisine of Amsterdam and were sold in the streets of Amsterdam by Jewish street vendors.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time30 min
  • Cook time2 min
  • Resting3 hr
  • Total3 hr 32 min
  • DifficultyEasy
  • CostBudget
  • Cooking methodpreservation
  • Estimated cost$2.84 $0.71 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 7, 2026.

Ingredients

4 people
  • $0.15
  • $1.98
  • $0.02
  • $0.02
  • $0.20
  • $0.19
  • $0.28

Prices from US supermarkets for 4 of 7 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. Thoroughly rinse the silver onions with cold water. ≈ 2 min
  2. Soak the white onions in cold water, with a pinch of salt and a cup of coffee, for at least three hours.
  3. For now, sterilize the containers. ≈ 3 min
  4. Next, thoroughly rinse the Allium sativum onions with cold water. ≈ 2 min
  5. Divide the onions evenly among the glasses. ≈ 3 min
  6. Combine vinegar, water, bay leaves, mustard seeds, rosemary, saffron (or turmeric), and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Add the onions to the jars. ≈ 3 min
  8. Seal the jars tightly and place them upside down to allow them to cool.
  9. Store the glasses in a cool, dark place. ≈ 3 min
  10. After 2 months, they are ready to be eaten, but after 4 months, they have a truly excellent taste. ≈ 3 min

The bill

Amsterdam onion

  • 2-3 kilograms of silver onions or small pearl onions$0.15
  • 1 cup of salt$1.98
  • 1 tablespoon of vinegar$0.02
  • 1 tablespoon of mustard seeds$0.02
  • 1 tablespoon of rosemary$0.20
  • 2-3 teaspoons (0.2 to 0.3 grams) of saffron, or 1 teaspoon of turmeric$0.19
  • 1 cup of sugar$0.28

Total$2.84

that's $0.71 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Equipment

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Before you start

Ingredients

  • 2-3 kilograms of silver onions or small pearl onions
  • 1 cup of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of vinegar
  • 1 liter of water
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon of mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon of rosemary
  • 2-3 teaspoons (0.2 to 0.3 grams) of saffron, or 1 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1 cup of sugar

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