Mexican Grilled Onions (Cebollitas Asadas) are traditional grilled green bulb onions that cook up mild and sweet.
Add some Latin flair to your BBQ steak, chicken, or skewers with these Mexican grilling onions, they cook up savory in minutes on the grill!
Why You'll Love These Mexican Grilled Onions
Cebollitas Asadas, or Mexican Grilled Onions, bring authentic flavor and a little zest to your backyard barbecue. This traditional Latin treat brings an amazing combination of tart, sweet, smoky flavors.
If you can sheet pan roast, or throw meat on the grill, you're more than qualified to make these Mexican grilled onions! Grills are nice, but if you're only needing to a few onions, sheet pan oven roasting is the perfect cooking method. This recipe is:
- Easy. Incredibly easy to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients, a sheet pan, and an oven or a grill.
- Healthy. Low fat, low carb, and high flavor! What more can you ask for?
- Delicious. The flavor of these onions is amazing. The combination of the grilled onions and the Mexican spices is simply unbeatable.
What Are Cebollitas Asadas?
Cebollitas asadas are grilled Mexican green onions that are popular in Latin cuisine. They're typically grilled or roasted until they're slightly charred and have a soft, caramelized interior.
The onion are marketed in US stores as Cambray onions, and they roast up sweet and tender, making them perfect along side char grilled meats.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Mexican Grilled Onions
- What Are Cebollitas Asadas?
- Cebollitas Asadas Ingredients
- How To Grill Mexican Green Onions
- Tips for Success
- Substitution and Variations
- Mexican Grilled Onions Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Reheating
- Related Recipes
- Equipment
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Delish Ideas
- Cebollitas Asadas (Mexican Grilled Onions)
Cebollitas Asadas Ingredients
Look for these large bulb bunching onions in the organic or specialty produce area.
Sometimes you'll find them near the regular green scallions. If you can't find any, look for the biggest green scallion bunches you can find.
- Mexican Green Onions - Also called Cambray onions, or Cebollitas. They may also be tucked near the tomatillos and chili peppers.
- Olive oil.
- Jugo by Maggi - Seasoning similar to Soy Sauce. It's thick, salty, and delicious.
- Chili seasoning blend - See our recipe for Chili Seasoning Blend, or use any store brand. In this recipe I used some Chili Lime powder.
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Limes - Squeeze on the roasted or grilled onions, serve as garnish.
How To Grill Mexican Green Onions
If you're ready to spice up your grilling routine, than this recipe for Mexican grilled onions takes the humble onion to the next level.
The onions are seasoned and grilled or roasted until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
The result is a flavorful and addictive side dish that will be sure to please everyone at your next cookout.
Prepare The Mexican Green Onions
- Wash the Mexican green onions to remove any sandy soil. Trim the root ends, and crop the greens to whatever length you like.
- Drizzle olive oil on the bottom of a sheet pan that fits on your grill. Spread the onions out on the pan, turning to get olive oil on them, then and season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Season and Cook
- Drizzle a little of the Jugo liquid seasoning onto the onions. You can sprinkle or brush it on.
- Sprinkle the chili powder (I used chili lime powder) lightly on the onions.
Roast Or Grill The Onions
- Place on a grill or OVEN that's been preheated to 375 F and close the grill lid or oven door.
- Grill or Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how large the white bulbs are. They should be tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
- Remove from grill or oven. Transfer with tongs to a serving platter and squeeze fresh lime wedges on the grilled Mexican onions.
- Serve cebollitas asadas with crema, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges as a side dish to your grilled entree.
Tips for Success
- Choose Chamoy onions for the best results. Other large bulb green onions will work also though.
- Split the onion bulbs lengthwise so that they cook evenly, or if you like softer roasted or grilled green onions.
- You can also rush the onions with olive oil before grilling to help the seasonings stick better.
- Grill the onions over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Season the onions with your favorite Mexican spices and lime juice before serving.
Substitution and Variations
Here are a few substitutions and variations using this recipe for grilled green onions as a base:
- If you can't find Maggi Jugo, you can can substitute Tamari or soy sauce. Jugo is a concentrated sauce that's salty like soy sauce, but thicker like a balsamic vinegar glaze.
- You can also vary the thickness of the onion bulbs to your liking. If you prefer a softer onion, cut bulbs lengthwise so they cook faster. This is helpful when Mexican green onions are growing quickly and get super fat fast!
Mexican Grilled Onions Serving Suggestions
Mexican Grilled Onions are a traditional Latin grilling item. Toss some on the grill, as they are delicious with seafood, beef, pork, and chicken. They cook up mild, tender, and sweet even with spicy seasoning tossed on extra savory flavor.
Serve these savory Mexican grilling onions with our Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos, Birria Quesadilla, or Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans. Anyway you serve them - they'll be surefire hit!
Some additional recipes these roasted or grilled Mexican green onions go well with are:
- Lime Marinated Flat Iron Steak
- Spanish Potato Tortilla
- Chili Relleno Burrito
- Mexican White Sauce
- Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas
Storage and Reheating
- Mexican grilled onions can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.
- To reheat the onions, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then heat them in a skillet or on the grill until they are warmed through.
Related Recipes
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making cebollitas in the oven or on the grill. You can grill these Mexican green onions on any grill, Traeger, or Blackstone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Besides chili seasoning, you can use chili lime, chipotle seasoning, Old Bay seasoning, Creole or Cajun spices, Cumin and coriander, or simply use salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Use Chamoy onions when you can find them, usually in the Spring and Summer. Other times of the year, use any large bulb green onion that is in season.
It will vary depending on how big the white bulb is. If they're small, 10 to 15 minutes. If they are big and fat bulbs, usually 15 to 20 minutes. Check on them at 10 minutes, then add enough time until they are soft and caramelized.
HYDROLYZED SOY AND CORN PROTEINS, MALTODEXTRIN, CARAMEL COLOR (SULFITES), WATER. Maggi Jugo is also naturally vegan.
Substitute equal parts soy sauce (or tamari) and Worcestershire sauce for Maggi in the recipe.
More Delish Ideas
Cebollitas Asadas (Mexican Grilled Onions)
Ingredients
- 4 bunches Cambray onions Mexican green onions (there's 3-4 per bunch)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoon Maggi Jugo or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili seasoning blend
- 2 limes cut into wedges
Instructions
- Wash the Mexican green onions to remove any sandy soil. Trim the root ends, and crop the greens to whatever length you like.4 bunches Cambray onions
- Drizzle olive oil on the bottom of a sheet pan that fits on your grill. Spread the onions out on the pan, turning to get olive oil on them, then and season with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Drizzle a little of the Jugo liquid seasoning onto the onions. You can sprinkle or brush it on.2 tablespoon Maggi Jugo
- Sprinkle the chili powder (I used chili lime powder) lightly on the onions.1 tablespoon chili seasoning blend
- Place on a grill or OVEN that's been preheated to 375 F and close the grill lid or oven door.
- Grill or Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how large the white bulbs are. They should be tender when pierced with a sharp knife.
- Remove from grill or oven. Transfer with tongs to a serving platter and squeeze fresh lime wedges on the grilled Mexican onions.
- Serve cebollitas asadas with crema, chopped cilantro, and lime wedges as a side dish to your grilled entree.2 limes
Notes
- Choose Chamoy onions for the best results. Other large bulb green onions will work also though.
- Split the onion bulbs lengthwise so that they cook evenly, or if you like softer roasted or grilled green onions.
- You can also rush the onions with olive oil before grilling to help the seasonings stick better.
- Grill the onions over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, or until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Season the onions with your favorite Mexican spices and lime juice before serving.
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