Texture

• Granulated onion has a coarse meal texture that’s a little bit grainy. However, once mixed into a dish, the small granules become hard to notice in terms of texture. Granulated onion goes well in creamy soups and sauces, because it doesn't disturb the texture. It also pairs well with egg dishes, such as fried eggs and scrambled eggs, for the same reason.

  Dried chopped onions offer a hint of chewy texture to a dish. If you want more juicy crunch, you can reconstitute the onions by soaking them in water for 15 minutes before use. For the quickest results, soak the onions in warm water, as this helps get the water into the dried onions faster. Chopped dried onions go well in casseroles and skillet bakes, or other such dishes where additional texture is needed. Reconstituted onions go well in dishes where the texture of fresh vegetables is expected, such as stir-fries and salads.

Flavor

• Granulated and dried onion provide a stronger onion flavor than fresh onion, but they do not provide the same level of “bite” as fresh. Chopped dried onion offers a stronger blast of onion flavor than granulated onion, in small bursts hidden throughout the dish. Granulated, by contrast, spreads the onion flavor around evenly, adding a hint of onion to everything in the dish. However, cup for cup, granulated onion has a stronger overall flavor. Both onion substitutes react well with other flavors, especially garlic and meat.

Amount

• The amount of granulated or chopped onion you need to use to replace fresh onion varies according to brand. However, 1 tablespoon of granulated equals about 1/2 cup fresh onion. One tablespoon of dried chopped onions equals about 1/3 cup of fresh onion. Therefore, you can use less granulated than dried chopped onion to replace fresh onion.

Nutrition

• Nutritionally, dried chopped onions and granulated onions are basically the same. Dried onions of either type have more concentrated nutrients than fresh. They register higher than fresh on everything except water. This includes “healthy” nutrients, such as calcium, for example: you'll get 23 milligrams for every 3.5 ounces in fresh onions and 257 milligrams for every 3.5 ounces of dried onion. It also includes “unhealthy” nutrients, such as sodium: 4 milligrams for every 3.5 ounces of fresh and 21 grams for dried.