National Onion Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Food Healthy Food Vegetable
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every June 27
Holiday emoji:: 🧅

National Onion Day lights up the calendar every June 27, celebrating the pungent, flavorful, and incredibly versatile bulb. Dive into the rich history of the National Onion Association and explore delicious recipes. Get ready to chop, sauté, and enjoy this kitchen staple!

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Expected National Onion Day Deals

While official 2027 promotions are still under wraps, National Onion Day often inspires fresh produce deals and culinary specials. Look for discounts on various onion varieties at grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and The Fresh Market. Restaurants might feature onion-centric dishes, from gourmet onion rings to French onion soup, with chains like Red Robin or local diners participating. Brands such as McCormick could offer sales on onion powder or dried minced onion, while specialty food stores may highlight artisanal onion jams or relishes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 27 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Onion Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalOnionDay. Film a quick recipe tutorial featuring onions or a ‘chop challenge’ video.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalOnionDay. Share visually appealing photos of dishes where onions are the star, or a ‘before and after’ of caramelized onions.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalOnionDay. Post a poll asking followers their favorite way to enjoy onions or share a classic onion recipe.

National Onion Day Hero

W. J. Miller

W. J. Miller was a visionary leader in the American onion industry and the first president of the National Onion Association (NOA) when it was incorporated in 1913. His efforts were instrumental in organizing growers and advocating for their interests, helping to establish standards and promote the economic viability of onion farming across the United States. Miller's foundational work laid the groundwork for the NOA's century-long legacy of supporting onion producers.

History of National Onion Day

In June 2022, the National Onion Association established National Onion Day to commemorate the organization’s 53rd anniversary. They officially incorporated on June 27, 1913, in Ohio, and represent almost 500 onion farmers, shippers, packers, and allied members across the U.S.

Onions are one of the world’s oldest cultivated vegetables, having originated in Central Asia and spread around the world. Some researchers believe the onion has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. Onions were possibly eaten for thousands of years and cultivated all over the world at the same time, since they grew wild in different locations.

We rely on the onion to improve the flavor of our savory meals, whether we use a sweet, white, red, or ever-popular yellow onion. They complement meats and salads, making the versatile onion a culinary powerhouse. It’s the needed seasoning alongside our salt and pepper, whether added to eggs or pickled. While the onion is low in calories, it is also high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and can increase your dietary fiber and vitamin B6 intake. Unlike many other low-calorie ingredients, onions provide a high nutritional content without compromising flavor. And it makes no difference what you do to it; pickled or raw, caramelized, sauteed, or pureed — the onion adds a lot of flavor to a dish. With so many types to choose from, onions present numerous opportunities to reap the benefits.

National Onion Day timeline

3500 B.C.

The Onion is First Traced in Egypt

The history of the onion can be traced back to this period, with a Sumerian document describing someone being in awe of the city governor’s onion garden.

1500 B.C.

Ancient Egypt Worships Onions

To those who bury onions alongside their pharaohs, onions are a sign of eternity.

1913

National Onion Association Is Founded

On June 2, the National Onion Association is formally incorporated in Ohio.

2019

National Onion Day is First Celebrated

The National Onion Association establishes National Onion Day on June 27, to honor onion producers.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Onion Day

Local restaurants can craft special onion-focused menus, from gourmet onion rings with unique dipping sauces to hearty French onion soup specials. Farmers’ markets can host ‘Meet the Onion Farmer’ events, offering tastings and educational sessions on different varieties. Specialty food shops might feature artisanal onion jams, relishes, and pickled onions, perhaps with pairing suggestions for cheeses or charcuterie. Promote these offerings on social media using #NationalOnionDay to attract food enthusiasts.

National Onion Day FAQs

When is National Onion Day?

National Onion Day 2026 falls on Saturday, June 27, offering a perfect weekend opportunity to explore the culinary versatility of this humble bulb.

How many types of onions are there?

There are hundreds of different onion varieties, though only a few dozen are commonly cultivated and sold commercially. These range from sweet Vidalias to pungent yellow, red, and white onions, each with unique flavor profiles.

How many onions are produced in the US annually?

The United States is a significant producer of onions, with annual production typically ranging between 6 to 7 billion pounds. This output ensures a steady supply for both domestic consumption and export markets.

What are the health benefits of onions?

Onions are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including Vitamin C and B6. They contain compounds like quercetin and allicin, which are linked to anti-inflammatory properties and may support heart health.

National Onion Day Activities

Add fresh onion to your favorite recipe
For a flavor boost, be sure to add some onion in there. No matter how you slice it, onion pulls together some of the greatest flavors! Tell us how you like to cook your onions!
Learn how to grow onions in your backyard
Gardening is fun! Furthermore, if you can cultivate some veggies like onions in your backyard, you can reduce the cost of your monthly groceries by harvesting them yourself.
Share the celebration on social media
Be sure to spread the word about National Onion Day by using the hashtag #NationalOnionDay on social media. Also, don’t forget to brag about your onion recipe or how you harvested your own onions.

5 Interesting Facts About Onion

They’ve been around for thousands of years
Onions have been present for thousands of years and, around 3,500 B.C, onions were harvested for the first time.
Sulfuric acid
The reason you become teary-eyed when cutting onions is because of the sulfuric acid they contain.
Onions were worshiped by Ancient Egyptians
They claimed that the spherical shape and concentric circles represented eternity — onions were used to cover the tombs of their monarchs and were important in ritual burials.
The biggest onion ever
According to ‘The Guinness Book of World Records’, the biggest onion ever was cultivated by Peter Glazebrook, a British farmer, who grew a massive onion in 2011 that weighed just under 18 pounds.
The Big Onion
Before it was known as the Big Apple, New York was known as the Big Onion, because it was a place where you could peel layer after layer without touching the center, kind of like an onion.

Why We Love National Onion Day

It encourages cultivation
Onions are an important, and healthy part of our diet. Why not grow and cultivate your own in your backyard?
It promotes culinary creativity
Who would have thought onions, known for making us cry, could be so sweet and delectable with some creativity? These days, almost all culinary innovations use onion for a unique flavor.
It boosts the immune system
Onions are rich in prebiotics. This helps to increase friendly bacteria in your guy, which helps to build immunity against viruses.