News

Various fruits and vegetables on a table, surrounding wooden letter tiles that spell out the words Good Carbs.
Vidalia Onion Nutrition Facts: Full Calorie, Carb & Vitamin Breakdown
A single medium Vidalia onion contains just 60 calories, which is proof that natural sweetness and low caloric density are not mutually exclusive.  The secret? That sweetness comes from low-sulfur... Read more...
A closeup of the multi-bulbed head of an egyptian walking onion.
What Are Walking Onion Sets and How Do You Plant Them?
Learn how to plant and grow Egyptian walking onions from top-set bulbils. Get practical tips on planting depth, spacing, soil preparation, seasonal care, and harvesting for a productive perennial onion... Read more...
A bundle of semi-mature Vidalia onion transplants sitting on tilled dirt.
How to Care for Live Vidalia Onion Transplants After They Arrive
Learn how to care for live Vidalia onion transplants after delivery. Follow simple tips for unpacking, storage, soil preparation, planting depth, spacing, and growing healthy, sweet Yellow Granex onions at... Read more...
A low shot of Vidalia onions growing in a field, with a person’s hand shown behind the early-growing stalks for scale, showing the tips of the stalks reaching from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the thumb.
How to Grow Vidalia Onions From Seed: A Beginner's Complete Guide
Learn how to grow Vidalia-style sweet onions from seed with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the best short-day Yellow Granex seeds, seed-starting techniques, soil preparation, watering, transplanting, and harvesting tips for... Read more...
Top-down image of several people toasting wine glasses over a full Thanksgiving dinner table topped with many classic dishes from the holiday.
Vidalia Onion Thanksgiving Recipes: 3 Show-Stopping Side Dishes for Your Table
1. Vidalia Onion Casserole with Ritz Cracker Crust Among the best southern side dish recipes you can bring to a Thanksgiving table, few deliver the combination of comfort, elegance, and... Read more...
A closeup of various jars of pickled vegetables stacked together.
Quick-Pickled Vidalia Onions: Fridge Method and Full Canning Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vidalia Onions and Brine A solid pickled onion recipe starts long before the brine hits the pan. Proper preparation of your Vidalia onions determines how well... Read more...
A closeup of roasted onions on a plate next to roasted tomatoes and toast.
Oven-Roasted Whole Vidalia Onions With Butter and Herbs
This classic Georgia recipe starts with one non-negotiable: the right onion. Vidalia onions are grown exclusively in a 20-county production area in Georgia, giving them a distinctively mild, sweet flavor... Read more...
A variety of red, yellow, and white onions on a table.
How Long Do Different Types of Onions Last? Shelf Life Guide by Variety
How long onions last depends almost entirely on the variety you bring home and not every onion is the same! Onions fall into two broad biological camps:  High-sulfur storage onions... Read more...
A hand holding up an orange square labeled as Vitamin C.
Do Onions Have Vitamin C? The Micronutrient Profile of Vidalia Onions
Yes, onions contain Vitamin C, and it is far more significant to their nutritional profile than most people realize. According to research published in PMC by the NIH, onions are... Read more...
Top-down view of onion casserole on a plate, next to a variety of crackers.
Classic Vidalia Onion Casserole: The Southern Comfort Recipe You've Been Missing
This blog shares a classic Vidalia Onion Casserole, a creamy Southern comfort dish that highlights the natural sweetness of seasonal Vidalia onions. It explains the key ingredients, including butter, eggs,... Read more...
A variety of red, yellow, and white onions on a table.
Onion Fiber Content: Why Vidalia Onions Are Good for Your Gut
Vidalia onions are already great dietary addons, but did you know these sweet Georgia onions are biological fuel for your gut microbiome? Most people reach for Vidalias because of their... Read more...
A burlap sack on its side, spilling out a variety of yellow onions.
Vidalia Onion Size Guide: Medium, Jumbo & Colossal — What's the Difference?
Most shoppers grab whatever onion is in the bin without a second thought, yet Georgia growers and packers classify every Vidalia onion against a strict Vidalia onion size chart that... Read more...
Home-made onion rings, lightly breaded, on a wooden cutting board next to uncooked onion ring slices.
Crispy Vidalia Onion Rings: Three Batter Recipes for the Perfect Fry
Great onion rings start with great prep. Vidalia onions represent more than 60% of sweet onion sales — and for good reason. Their high sugar and low sulfur content produce... Read more...
A closeup of rows of yellow, red, and white onions.
How Many Carbs in a Vidalia Onion? Keto, Low-Carb & Diabetic Guide
If you are watching carbs in sweet onion varieties, you shouldn’t dismiss Vidalia onions out of hand. To many people’s surprise, their famously mild sweetness does not automatically translate into... Read more...
Closeup of a soil-covered hand holding up a young onion shoot for planting.
Vidalia Onion Bulbs vs Sets vs Seeds: Which Should You Plant?
Before you can make sense of the Vidalia onion bulbs vs sets vs seeds debate, you need to understand what those three terms actually mean, because they describe unique plant... Read more...
Closeup of a hand pulling open a refrigerator door, inside which several vegetables are visible.
Should You Refrigerate Vidalia Onions? The Definitive Answer From the Farm
Vidalia onions are sweet, delicate, and consist of approximately 90% water according to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, making them far more perishable than the thick-skinned yellow or white storage... Read more...
A glass jar of yellow vinaigrette dressing on a table, next to a plate of salad.
Homemade Vidalia Onion Salad Dressing: Sweet, Tangy & Farm-Fresh
Homemade Vidalia onion dressing all starts with quality supplies, so, unlike store-bought versions loaded with stabilizers and sodium benzoate, this recipe relies on five clean, whole ingredients that do the heavy... Read more...
A bowl of french onion soup with a cheesy crust and a slice of toasted baguette sitting in its center, alongside several more toasted slices on the side.
The Best French Onion Soup Recipe: Made With Farm-Fresh Vidalia Onions
The secret to an unforgettable french onion soup recipe is the right onion, and Vidalias are the standout for a reason. Unlike standard varieties, Vidalia onions carry more than double the... Read more...
Powdered sugar covering a table, in which the words “low sugar” are drawn in furrows in the sugar.
Are Vidalia Onions High in Sugar? Debunking the Sweet Onion Myth
Not at all! Despite the well-earned reputation of Vidalia onions as sweet, mild onion standouts (so much so that you can eat them raw and tear-free), the truth is that that... Read more...
A green organic label sticker.
Organic Onion Plants: Why Certified Non-GMO Stock Matters for Your Garden
Most gardeners never think to ask what’s coating their onion sets before those sets arrive at their door, which can lead to oversights in the health of your bulbs in... Read more...
Onion bulbs implanted deep into the soil, with leafy green stalks jutting up.
What Are Vidalia Onion Sets? How to Start Your Garden With the Best Stock
Vidalia onion sets are live transplants (small, partially grown plants with an established root system) grown from the same Yellow Granex genetic stock we use for our onions here on... Read more...
Two farmers holding a wicker basket full of McLain Farms branded gifts, such as a tall mug, jars of relish and preserves, and a bottle of honey.
The Best Farm-to-Table Georgia Gift Baskets for Holiday Gifting: Sweet Onions, Honey, & Southern Flavors
The holiday gift-giving season is coming, and it’s time to start unwrapping… yet another mass-produced snack tower packed with stale crackers, waxy cheese, and sausage nobody asked for. This year,... Read more...
Cream of onion soup in a bowl, topped with croutons and fresh herbs, and surrounded by various onions and ingredients.
Creamy Vidalia Onion Soup: Rich, Silky & Made for Cozy Georgia Evenings
Step 1: Select and Prep Your Vidalia Onions The foundation of how to make creamy Vidalia onion soup starts well before the pot hits the stove. Choosing the right onion... Read more...
Yellow onions in a wooden bowl.
Yellow Onion Nutrition Facts vs Vidalia Onions: A Complete Comparison
Choosing between yellow onions and Vidalia onions, for many, is a matter of taste; however, there’s also a nutritional decision to be made, one that’s rooted in soil, sulfur, and... Read more...
A top-down view of a frying pan in which onion strips are caramelizing.
How to Caramelize Vidalia Onions Perfectly Every Time (No Burning)
Knowing how to caramelize onions successfully starts at the grocery store, surprisingly enough. Not all onions are the same, and that means techniques can differ by type. Vidalia onions contain... Read more...
A variety of yellow and red onions piled up next to one another.
How to Store Sweet Onions So They Stay Fresh for Weeks (And Why They Spoil Early)
Sweet onions spoil faster than almost any other allium, and it’s because of their high water and sugar content that they’re so delicate. The solution? Proper storage, either in a... Read more...
Wooden spoons full of white sugar and sugar cubes.
Are Vidalia Onions Diabetic-Friendly? A Nutritional Breakdown
Despite their name, sweet onions contain surprisingly little sugar overall, which makes blood sugar management easier for sugar-sensitive shoppers. The word "sweet" triggers an understandable alarm for anyone managing Type... Read more...
An assortment of onions of various colors, piled up.
Do You Need to Trim Onion Tops When Growing? A Georgia Farmer’s Guide
The answer is yes: you can trim the tops of your onion transplants exactly once, although it isn’t strictly necessary. However, there’s a right and a wrong way to do so, and... Read more...
A photo of a fresh cucumber and tomato salad drizzled in Vidalia onion vinaigrette, with a jar of the smooth yellow vinaigrette sitting next to it.
Vidalia Sweet Onion Vinaigrette: A Simple 5-Ingredient Homemade Dressing
Image sourced from Southern Plate’s excellent recipe offerings. Not every onion deserves a starring role in a sweet onion vinaigrette recipe, but Vidalia onions have the flavorful, historical, and cultural oomph to... Read more...
Two farmers standing in front of a tractor and a field. The back of one farmer’s shirt reads, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few; Matthew 9:37.”
Non-GMO and Naturally Grown: McLain Farms' Commitment to Clean Vidalia Onions
Vidalia onions are not genetically modified, and that matters for those of us who care for the land (and for the customers who trust us every day by eating our produce).... Read more...
A large number of yellow Vidalia onions piled up in frame.
How to Preserve Vidalia Onions at Home: Pickling, Freezing & Dehydrating
Vidalia onions are fundamentally different from the onions sitting in most pantries year-round, thanks to how delicate they can be. As verified by the Vidalia Onion Committee, these onions carry a high... Read more...
A jar of McLain Farms branded Vidalia onion relish on a table alongside bowls of relish and fresh crackers.
Vidalia Onion Relish Recipe: The Southern Condiment Every Cookout Needs
Any great Vidalia onion relish recipe starts with understanding what makes this Southern staple genuinely different from every other onion in the produce aisle. The simple answer? No eye-watering pungency.... Read more...
A handmade black-and-white drawing of an onion in old-fashioned style.
Our Pride and Joy: Why the Vidalia Onion Is Georgia’s Official State Vegetable
Few vegetables have earned their fame the way the Vidalia onion has; not through marketing campaigns, but through a flavor so unexpectedly mild and sweet that shoppers once thought the... Read more...
A wooden bowl containing a variety of unpeeled onions, including red, white, and yellow onion breeds.
Sweet Onion Nutrition vs Regular Onions: Which Is Healthier?
Key Concepts to Understand for Onion Nutrition Not all onions are created equal, whether it be in flavor or health. Sweet onion nutrition and standard onion nutrition diverge because of chemistry,... Read more...
A loamy brown tire divot revealing the soil of an onion field, flanked on either side by dew-covered Vidalia onion stalks.
Regenerative Farming: How We Grow With the Land, Not Against It
Most farming philosophies aim to do less harm. Regenerative farming aims to do more good, and that makes all the difference. Regenerative agriculture sets a higher bar than mere sustainability: leaving... Read more...
Sliced red onions on a grilltop, alongside slices of halved mushrooms and cucumbers.
How to Grill Vidalia Onions: 3 Methods for Perfect Summer BBQ Results
Before You Start: Prepare Your Vidalia Onions Curious about how to grill your Vidalia onions (or other onions)? Proper prep is what separates caramelized perfection from a soggy, burned mess.... Read more...
Map showing the Vidalia onion growing region within the southeast edge of the state of Georgia.
Where are Vidalia Onions Grown? The Exclusive 20-County Growing Zone Explained
Region map sourced from the Journal of Precision Agriculture. Vidalia onions are one of the most tightly protected food products in the United States, not by tradition alone, but by law.... Read more...
A yellow-white dish of Vidalia onion dip, crusted with toasted cheese on top and garnished with an herb. Image sourced from Pizzazzerie’s Baked Vidalia Onion Dip recipe.
Baked Vidalia Onion Dip: The Crowd-Pleasing Party Appetizer Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Vidalia Onions for Maximum Sweetness This easy vidalia onion dip recipe for parties is something we’ve enjoyed greatly, and comes in part from culinary minds like... Read more...
A hand uprooting a Vidalia onion from the soil by yanking it at the base of its leafy green stem.
When Are Vidalia Onions Harvested? The Limited Season Explained by a Georgia Farmer
The Vidalia onion season is one of the most anticipated (and shortest) windows in American produce. The official harvest season typically begins in mid-to-late April and concludes by early June,... Read more...
A closeup of a father taking grilled meat and vegetables off of a grill and placing them on a plate, while a small child stands next to him doing the same.
Father's Day Grilling Gifts for the Backyard BBQ Dad Who Has Everything
1. New Takes on Classic Comfort Recipes Finding the best grilling gifts for dad doesn't have to mean buying expensive gadgets he'll never use. According to the National Retail Federation,... Read more...
White onion slices and a peeled white onion bulb arranged on a wooden board.
How Long Can a Cut Onion Stay in the Fridge? Tips to Avoid Waste
An Onion Farmer’s Onion Storage FAQ Proper onion storage is the single most effective way to extend the life, flavor, and safety of cut onions (or indeed, any produce), and these... Read more...
A farmer using a hand-tool on a freshly pulled Vidalia onion, with the green stalks and root system still attached.
Farm Fresh vs. Store-Bought Vidalia Onions: Can You Really Taste the Difference?
Vidalia onions are already a very special ingredient, thanks to their federally protected designation tied to a specific 20-county production area in South Georgia. Grow the same onion seed even... Read more...
A sign in a field surrounded by hedges, on which the label reads “McLain Farms, Decades of Sweet Vidalias, One Family Name.”
The Best Georgia Food Gifts for Farm-Fresh Family Eating
Georgia's Unique Food Heritage Forget the generic gift basket filled with items nobody asked for. According to an Omaha Steaks National Survey, 79% of consumers prefer receiving "experiential" gifts (trips,... Read more...
A low shot of a green field of onions, where the verdant stalks of the bulbs are visible shooting through the soil in rows.
How to Grow Vidalia Onions at Home: A Step-by-Step Georgia Farmer's Guide
Step 1: Prepare Low-Sulfur Sandy Loam Soil Learning how to grow Vidalia onions starts with the right soil. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Vidalia onions must originate from... Read more...
Freshly harvested Vidalia onions laying in the dirt, with their roots and green stalks still attached.
The History of Vidalia Onions: How Georgia Accidentally Grew the World's Sweetest Onion
The Long Journey from Central Asia to Toombs County In the distant past, Vidalia onions didn’t exist. Onions, however, are among humanity's oldest cultivated crops. According to the National Onion... Read more...
A pile of fresh sweet onions, most of which are still in their shell.
Five Tips on How to Store Onions for Maximum Shelf Life (and Zero Rot)
1. Prioritize a Cool, Dry, and Ventilated Environment Knowing how to store onions correctly starts with one non-negotiable rule: airflow is everything. Without consistent air circulation, moisture builds up around... Read more...
A group of freshly harvested, soil-covered Vidalia onion bulbs laying on dark brown soil.
Certified Organic Vidalia Onions: What the Label Means and Why It Matters
Vidalias already occupy a special category among sweet onions, thanks to their legally protected growing status and name. You can only grow them in one place! As such, organic, sustainable... Read more...
Freshly harvested Vidalia onions on top of deep brown, fresh, loamy soil.
Vadalia, Vidallia, or Vidalia? How to Spell (and Pronounce) Georgia's Famous Onion
Is it spelled Vidalia, Vadalia, or Vidallia? The only correct spelling is "Vidalia" — no double letters, no swapped vowels. The name comes directly from Vidalia, Georgia, the city where... Read more...
A hand holding a freshly harvested Vidalia onion with the stalk and roots cut off, an da bit of dirt still clinging to the outside.
Where Can You Find Authentic Vidalia Onions? Why Store-Bought Bulbs Often Disappoint
Only Grown in Georgia: Vidalia Onions and You Not all onions are created equal, and the law agrees. A Federal Marketing Order restricts the name "Vidalia" exclusively to onions grown... Read more...
A variety of freshly harvested, dirt-covered Vidalia onions with visible stalks and roots, laying against deep brown farm soil.
Is Buying Vidalia Onions in Bulk Worth It? A Home Cook's Honest Breakdown
Vidalia Onions: How Long Do They Last? Vidalia onions are among the more sought-after ingredients in seasonal American cooking — they’re sweet, mild, and genuinely irreplaceable during their short season.... Read more...