Cebolla is one of the most versatile vegetables used in various cuisines around the world. Its distinctive aroma and flavour make it a fundamental ingredient, enhancing the taste of countless dishes with its savoury profile.
The word cebolla is taken from the Latin word cepulla, which is a diminutive of the Latin word cēpa. The cebolla is part of the allium family which includes bulbous herbs such as onions, garlic, shallots, scallions, and chives.
Latin American Pronunciation
European Pronunciation
Cebolla is a feminine noun that means onion in English. It takes the following definite and indefinite articles:
- la cebolla = the onion
- una cebolla = an onion
- las cebollas = the onions
- unas cebollas = some onions
La receta lleva cebolla amarilla.
The recipe calls for yellow onion.
Below are some different types of onions and ways to prepare them:
- cebolla grande/blanca = white (big) onion
- cebolla morada = red onion
- cebolla amarilla = brown/yellow onion
- cebolla tierna = spring onion
- cebolla verde/cebollita verde = green onion/scallion
- cebolla escalonia = shallot
- cebolla picada = chopped onion
- cebollas encurtidas = pickled onions
- cebolla caramelizada = caramelised onion
- cebolla frita = fried onion
- cebolla asada = roasted onion
- aro de cebolla = onion ring
- pellejo de cebolla = onion skin
- sopa de cebolla = onion soup
- condimentar con cebolla = condiment with onion
Mi abuela siempre cocinaba con cebolla, por eso su olor me recuerda a ella.
My grandma always cooked with onion, so its smell reminds me of her.
Known for its distinctive odour, colours, and flavour, the onion comes in three colours: yellow/brown, red/purple, and white.
The cebolla amarilla (yellow/brown onion) is great for all-purpose cooking. It has a sweet but strong flavour when raw which mellows when sautéed, roasted, or caramelised. It’s great for all-purpose cooking.
The cebolla morada (red onion) is referred to as purple in Spanish instead of red. It has a sort of spicier and sharper taste to it. They are commonly eaten raw in salads and as cebollas encurtidas (pickled onions).
Cebolla blanca (white onion) has a mild flavour and is sweet when sautéed. It leaves less of an aftertaste and tastes incredible when served raw or cooked. The cebolla blanca is popular in Latin and Central American cuisine, such as in pico de gallo used for tacos or as a side sauce.
Necesito una cebolla morada para la receta de encurtido de cebolla y pimiento.
I need a red onion for the pickled onion and bell pepper recipe.
‘Cebolla’ in the kitchen
A popular way to use cebolla verde in Mexico is roasted, as cebolla asada (roasted onion) to accompany some delicious tacos. In North America, a popular snack is onion rings, or aros de cebolla. Places like Argentina, Peru, Brazil, and Mexico widely use cebolla encurtida (pickled onions) as a side snack.
Cebolla caramelizada (caramelised onions) is used in many dishes or as a side. Given the onion’s health benefits, sopa de cebolla (onion soup) is eaten to help cure hangovers and illness. Lastly, sal de cebolla (onion salt) is used as a dry powder to spice dishes.
In Spanish, we can find the word encebollado, commonly used to describe dishes that feature onions as a prominent ingredient such as hígado encebollado (liver with onions). Literally translating to “onioned” or “with onions”, it implies that onions play a significant role in flavoring the dish, whether they are sautéed, caramelized, or used as a garnish.
Me encantan los tacos de carne asada con cebolla y cilantro.
I love roasted meat tacos with onion and cilantro.
Items that use the word ‘cebolla’
Aside from food, you may hear the word cebolla to describe paper and fabric. Tela de cebolla (bandage cloth) is a bandage or wrapping cloth used for injuries. Papel de cebolla, also known as papel de calco, refers to tracing paper. It’s a versatile and translucent paper used for fine line drawing, overlays, and transfer tracing.
Given that cebolla is famously known for making you cry when you chop it up, it’s no surprise that it’s used in figurative phrases about tearing up. It’s also often associated with being enough to survive on, like bread. Let’s look at a couple of these expressions.
Tú novio te hace llorar más que una cebolla.
Your boyfriend makes you cry more than an onion does.
Mi vida esta completa contigo, pan y cebolla.
My life is complete with you, bread and onion.
Idiomatic expressions featuring ‘cebolla’
Cebolla is often associated with layers, smells, and crying. Below are a couple of idiomatic expressions using this word.
Oler a cebolla
Literal translation: to smell like onion
English meaning: to stink/smell like sweat
Llevar capas de cebolla
Literal translation: to have layers of onion
English meaning: to have on layers of clothes or character/personality traits
