Cambray onions are a delightful twist on the familiar green onion. With a small round bulb and long, vibrant green leaves, they bring a mild sweetness, pleasant crunch, and distinctive look to many dishes. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, this guide will introduce you to cambray onions—from seeds to recipes, and comparisons to related onions—crafted simply and clearly.
1. What Is a Cambray Onion?
Cambray onions (also called Mexican spring onions or cebollitas cambray) are a unique onion variety. Picture a long green stalk like a scallion, but topped with a petite, round bulb about 1–3 cm across.
They’re known for a mild, sweet flavor—no harsh onion bite. You can eat them raw for a fresh crunch or cook them for a subtle sweetness.
In Mexican cuisine, they’re cherished for their ability to hold shape when grilled. The bulb softens and the greens caramelize, delivering both texture and flavor that elevate tacos, grilled meats, and salsas.
2. Cambray Onion Seeds
Interested in growing your own? Cambray onion seeds are available through seed catalogs and online plant stores. Ideal for beginner gardeners, they promise easy, flavorful harvests in spring and fall.
Growing Tips:
- Soil & sun: Needs well-drained soil and full sunlight.
- Planting: Sow seeds in early spring or late summer.
- Germination: Expect bulbs ready to harvest in 60–90 days.
- Spacing: Plant seeds ~3 cm apart; thin to 5 cm between onions.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist—not soggy.
Once bulbs reach thumb size and leaves stand tall, harvest early before bulbs get oversized. Leaving a bit of green encourages continued growth through the season.
3. Cambray Onion vs Scallion
They look similar but aren’t the same:
- Scallion (Green Onion)
- No round bulb—just slender stalk and green tops.
- Flavor is mild and clean—great raw in salads, eggs, and sandwiches.
- Cambray Onion
- Features a defined round bulb with long green tops.
- Offers a sweeter, more complex flavor and holds up to cooking.
Use scallions when you want fresh crunch and delicate taste. Choose cambray onions for cooking applications—grilling, roasting, sautéing—where added texture and caramelized sweetness matter.
4. Mexican Cambray Onion
In Mexican kitchens and taquerías, cebollitas cambray are staples.
They’re often grilled whole—bulbs intact, greens left long. This method softens the onion and brings out a smoky sweetness. After grilling, they’re dressed with lime juice and sauces like soy or Worcestershire.
These grilled onions, called cebollitas asadas, are served alongside carne asada, pollo asado, fish tacos, and more. They add subtle texture and brightness—an essential ingredient in authentic Mexican grilling culture.
5. Cambray Onion Near Me
Finding cambray onions depends on your area, but these tips may help:
- Hispanic markets often sell them labeled “cebollitas cambray.”
- Farmers’ markets in spring/fall may stock them.
- Online produce shops like Chino Valley Produce offer shipping to many regions.
- Grow-at-home: Order seeds and cultivate them yourself.
If fresh cambrays can’t be found, buy large scallions instead and double the quantity—they work in a pinch!
6. Cambray Onion vs Green Onion
People often use these terms interchangeably, but there’s nuance:
- Green onion is a broad term (scallions, young onions).
- Cambray onion is its own variety—small bulb, long leaves, distinct flavor.
| Feature | Green Onion (Scallion) | Cambray Onion |
|---|---|---|
| Bulb | Slender, barely there | Defined, 1–3 cm round bulb |
| Flavor | Light, fresh | Sweet, mild, more complex |
| Best uses | Raw add-ons, mild dishes | Cooked dishes, grilled, roasted |
| Mexican name | Cebolla de verdeo | Cebollitas cambray |
When texture, shape, or flavor depth matter—especially in cooked dishes—cambray onions often win over regular green onions.
7. Cambray Onion Recipe: Cebollitas Asadas
Nothing beats the classic Grilled Cambray Onions recipe:
You’ll need:
- 8–10 fresh cambray onions
- 1 Tbsp oil (olive or neutral)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Juice of half a lime
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire or soy sauce (optional)
Step-by-step:
- Rinse and trim roots, leaving ~5 cm of green stem.
- Toss in oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill or broil 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and tender.
- Remove, drizzle with lime juice and sauce, serve warm.
These are perfect alongside tacos, grilled meats, or as a flavorful appetizer. They’re easy, tasty, and won’t crowd a summer BBQ.
8. Health & Nutrition Benefits
Like onions in general, cambrays are nutrient-rich and low-calorie. Studies show:
- Antioxidants (especially quercetin) protect heart health, reduce inflammation, slow cancer growth.
- Prebiotic inulin helps digestion and gut health.
- Low calories (~30 per 100 g), high in vitamins A, C, B6, potassium, fiber.
- Minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, zinc present.
Bottom line? Cambray onions pack powerful nutrition in a bite-sized veggie.
9. Buying & Storing Tips
To get the freshest cambray onions:
- Choose bulbs that feel firm and heavy for their size.
- Look for crisp, vibrant green tops—no yellowing or wilt.
Storage tips:
- Unwashed, untrimmed in fridge crisper—up to two weeks if breathable.
- Wrap roots and tops separately to maintain freshness.
- Freeze chopped cambrays for cooking later; they lose raw crunch but stay flavorful.
10. Cambray Onion Seeds: Grow Your Own
Returning to seeds—but with more gardening insight:
- Planting zones: mild climates allow multiple crops per year. In colder areas, spring and fall planting work best.
- Care: Thin seedlings so each onion has enough space to grow.
- Fertilizer: Light, balanced feeding once mid-growth helps bulb and leaf development.
- Companion planting: Great neighbors include carrots, beets, lettuce—onions deter pests from these crops.
Growing your own not only enhances flavor, but also teaches sustainability and seasonal awareness.
11. More Cambray Onion Recipes
Beyond grilling, consider these tasty dishes:
- Pasta with Cambray Onions: Sauté bulbs until translucent, toss with garlic, olive oil, parsley, and parmesan.
- Stir‑Fry Flair: Add chopped cambrays to veggie or protein stir-fries—great color and crunch.
- Soups & Stews: Add white bulbs and greens near the end for freshness.
- Pickled Cambrays: Quick-pickle in vinegar with a pinch of sugar and chili—great taco topper or sandwich accent.
- Egg Dishes: Omelettes, frittatas, scrambled eggs gain sweetness and mild onion flavor.
Get creative! Cambrays adapt to many cuisines—Mediterranean, Asian, Latin—you name it.
12. Cambray Onion vs Green Onion: Culinary Recap
When deciding which onion to use:
- Want fresh crunch and pure mild flavor? Go for scallions.
- Need cooking resilience and richer taste? Cambrays are the choice.
- Want browned edges and bite? Cambrays grill nicely.
- Need fine onion flavor in raw dishes? Use scallions.
Each has its place—choose based on texture, cooking method, and flavor depth.
13. Nutrition Quick Look
Here’s a handy snapshot of what cambray onions bring nutritionally (approx. per 100 g):
- Calories: ~30–45 kcal
- Protein: ~1 g; Fiber: 1–2 g
- Carbs/Sugar: ~9–10 g / ~4–6 g sugar
- Vitamins: A, C (>100% DV in some cases), B6, folate
- Minerals: Potassium (150–160 mg), calcium, iron, manganese
These aren’t just flavors—they contribute real micronutrients important for overall health.
15. Common Questions Answered
Q: Can cambray onions substitute scallions 1:1?
Yes—but if substituting for bulbs, use a few more cambrays to match volume.
Q: Do they make you cry?
Some sulfur volatility occurs when slicing bulbs raw, but splitting between bulb and stalk can minimize tears.
Q: Are they spicy?
No! Very mild and sweet—perfect for those who shy away from pungent onions.
16. Where to Use Cambray Onions
Try these everyday uses:
- Tacos/burritos: Raw or pickled cambrays bring balance.
- Grilled platters: Keeps shape on skewers, pairs with veggies and meats.
- Rice bowls: Adds flare without overpowering.
- Salads: Thinly sliced bulbs heighten freshness.
- Herb dips: Mix chopped greens and bulbs into sour cream or yogurt dips for chips.
Treat cambrays like an enhanced green onion—versatile, flavorful, and inviting.
17. Health Warnings
Though healthy, onions including cambrays can cause issues for sensitive people:
- Digestive irritation for those with IBS, acid reflux—due to natural fructans.
- Allergies: Rare but possible—can cause itching or nausea.
If you suspect sensitivity, test with small portions or cook thoroughly to reduce volatile compounds.
Final Thoughts
Cambray onions are simple to use but yield big flavor and nutrition. Whether you grow them, pick them up at a market, or use substitute scallions, you gain subtle sweetness and attractive texture ideal for summer grilling or everyday cooking.
Here’s what you can do next:
- Try cebollitas asadas at your next cookout.
- Add sliced cambrays to salads and soups.
- Plant cambray onion seeds and watch them grow.
- Use them where you want more onion flavor than scallions can offer.
Let cambray onions surprise you. Once you taste their mild sweetness and see their visual flair, they’ll become a kitchen favorite that’s easy to love—and easy to share.
