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Shallot

The shallot is a cultivated edible plant in the onion family, grown for its clustered bulbs and mild flavour.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The shallot is a cultivated edible plant in the onion family, grown for its clustered bulbs and mild flavour. It is generally treated as a group within *Allium cepa* rather than a separate species, and is used raw or cooked in many cuisines.

Classification

Shallot is generally treated as a cultivar group or variety within the onion, *Allium cepa*, rather than a distinct species. Older sources and some horticultural references may use different taxonomic names, reflecting historical disagreement about its classification.

Description

Shallots are small bulb-forming alliums that grow in clusters. They usually have papery skins, layered flesh, and long narrow leaves, and are typically smaller than standard onions.

Culinary use

Shallots are used both raw and cooked, especially where a mild onion flavour is desired. They are commonly added to sauces, salads, soups, stews and other savoury dishes, and are important in some Asian and European cuisines.

Cultivation

Shallots are typically grown as a cool-season crop in sunny, well-drained soil. Garden references say they are often planted in early spring or autumn and harvested once foliage begins to die back.

Key facts

  • Shallots are closely related to onions and garlic and are usually classified within the onion species *Allium cepa*.
  • They form clusters of small bulbs rather than a single large bulb.
  • Shallots are valued in cooking for a milder flavour than many onions.
  • The bulbs are used in salads, sauces, soups, stews and other dishes, and the green parts may also be eaten.
  • Shallots are grown in temperate gardens and are typically harvested after the foliage begins to yellow or collapse.
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Canadian context

Shallots are grown by Canadian gardeners and are covered in provincial and horticultural growing guides, including Ontario and university extension resources. [6][8][12]

Frequently asked questions

What is a shallot?
A shallot is an edible cultivated allium grown for its mild-flavoured clustered bulbs, and is usually classified within the onion species *Allium cepa*.
Are shallots a type of onion?
Yes. Most modern references treat shallots as a variety or cultivar group of onion rather than a separate species.
What do shallots taste like?
They have a mild, sweet onion flavour, sometimes described as slightly garlic-like, and are generally less pungent than many onions.
Which parts of the plant are eaten?
The bulbs are most commonly eaten, and some sources also note that the green leaves can be used.
How do shallots grow?
They grow as bulbous plants that multiply into clusters of several small bulbs.
Why are shallots important in cooking?
They provide a milder onion flavour and are widely used in sauces, dressings, salads and cooked dishes.

References

  1. ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/shallot
    Supports: Classification as a multiplier onion; origin in western Asia; culinary uses.
  2. Plant Identifier — https://plantidentifier.com/encyclopedia/shallot
    Supports: Clustered bulb growth habit; historical naming; general botanical description.
  3. Britannica Kids — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/shallot/336277
    Supports: Definition, family, origin in Asia, edible leaves, and culinary uses.
  4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — https://txmg.org/hendersonmg/plant-library/onion-shallot/
    Supports: Modern botanical classification; bulb clustering; flavor description; culinary use.
  5. Government of Ontario — https://www.ontario.ca/page/shallots-what-they-are-and-how-grow-them
    Supports: Shallots as an onion relative and multiplier bulbs; Canadian growing relevance.
  6. Utah State University Extension — https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/shallots-in-the-garden
    Supports: Growing conditions, nutrition, and general garden cultivation details.
  7. Royal Horticultural Society — https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/shallots/grow-your-own
    Supports: Shallots as a type of small sweet onion and growing guidance.
  8. Soft Schools — https://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/shallot_facts/1778/
    Supports: Physical description, edibility of green parts, flavor, and general nutritional notes.