NATIONAL ONION DAY

June 26, 2026June 6, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

Through all the years — and sometimes tears — National Onion Day on June 27 recognizes the flavor and aroma the bulb of the allium family brings to numerous recipes.

Whether we choose a sweet, white, red, or the ever-favorite yellow, we count on the onion to enhance the flavor of our savory recipes. They pair well with meats and salads, making the ever-versatile onion a cooking powerhouse. Added to eggs or pickled, it’s the required seasoning next to our salt and pepper.

While the onion packs in the flavor with very few calories, it’s also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Add onions to every meal to increase your dietary fiber and vitamin B6. As a bonus, you won’t be adding any cholesterol. With so many varieties to choose from, onions provide plenty of opportunities for us to relish the benefits.

As an industry, onions add $6 billion to U.S. markets. From farm to distribution to grocers and restaurants, onions generate economic growth throughout the year.

The Core of an Onion: Peeling the Rarest Common Food—Featuring More Than 100 Historical Recipes #NationalOnionDay — The Core of an Onion: Peeling the Rarest Common Food—Featuring More Than 100 Historical Recipes

The Onion Lover's Cookbook: With Over 100 Recipes: Knowing And Using Onions, Garlic, Leeks, Shallots, Spring Onions And Chives#NationalOnionDay — The Core of an Onion: Peeling the Rarest Common Food—Featuring More Than 100 Historical Recipes

HISTORY

The National Onion Association founded National Onion Day on June 27, 2019, to honor the anniversary of the association. They represent almost 500 onion growers, shippers, packers and associated members across the country and officially incorporated on June 27, 1913, in Ohio. The association celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2013.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Be sure to add fresh onion for a punch of flavor to your favorite dish. No matter how you slice it, the onion brings some of the best flavors together! Whether you like to caramelize it or pickle it, tell us how you love to cook with onions!

Try these mouth-watering recipes from the National Onion Association:
High Protein Quinoa, Onion and Kale Salad
Spicy Onion Panini with Basil and Roasted Red Pepper
Oniony Meatloaf
Pan Fried Onion Slices

Use #NationalOnionDay to share your best recipes and tips on social media.

McCormick Culinary Minced Onion, 17 oz - One 17 Ounce Container of Dried Minced Onion Flakes, Perfect for Soups, Sauces, Meatballs, Relishes and Casseroles#NationalOnionDay — McCormick Culinary Minced Onion, 17 oz – One 17 Ounce Container of Dried Minced Onion Flakes, Perfect for Soups, Sauces, Meatballs, Relishes and Casseroles

French's Original Crispy Fried Onions, 24 oz - One 24 Ounce Bag of Crunchy Fried Onions to Sprinkle on Salads, Potatoes, Chicken, Burgers and Green Bean Casseroles#NationalOnionDay — McCormick Culinary Minced Onion, 17 oz – One 17 Ounce Container of Dried Minced Onion Flakes, Perfect for Soups, Sauces, Meatballs, Relishes and Casseroles

Brown Butter Garlic Parmesean Mushrooms

November 5, 2025November 2, 2025Jensperspectiveblog

These are insanely popular at our table. People who swear they don’t eat mushrooms eat these. These warm butter treats can be served as a snack or a side dish. The only complaint I’ve ever had is there are never enough and I usually make a double batch. See recipe below.

Ingredients

1 lb whole white mushrooms
1 cup browned butter
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp thyme
Parsean cheese to top mushrooms

Directions

Separate stems from mushrooms with care not to damage caps.
Dice all stems
Add butter to pan cook on medium-high heat until it turns golden hazelnut in color. Watch carefully as you do not want to burn.
Add stem pieces, garlic, and thyme to butter.
Mix well to coat and distribute ingredients.
On a foil covered, well oiled baking sheet place caps about 1/2 inch apart. Make sure stem well is facing up to make a cup in the top.
Fill with butter mixture till slightly mounding over.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Add Parmesean cheese to each, covering stem pieces.
Broil in oven 15 minutes.
Serve warm.

Extra tip:

You can play with this adding bacon or topping with chives. Add more cheeses, or herbs. This is my take on a classic mom has made for as long as I can remember.

NATIONAL COOK A SWEET POTATO DAY

February 21, 2024February 21, 2024Jensperspectiveblog

Across the United States, National Cook A Sweet Potato Day on February 22nd celebrates a root vegetable packed with flavor and a bit of history, too. The sweet potato is eaten and loved, each day, by millions of people across the nation.

Either Central America or South America is thought to be the center of origin and domestication of sweet potatoes. In Central America, sweet potatoes were domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. Peruvian sweet potato remnants dating as far back as 8,000 BC have been found in South America.

The sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamin A, which supports good vision, the immune system, and bone growth. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B-6, magnesium, and vitamin C. It’s also great for the complexion.

The Sweet Potato Lover's Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world's healthiest foods#CookASweetPotatoDay — The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world’s healthiest foods

The Sweet Potato Cookbook#CookASweetPotatoDay — The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world’s healthiest foods

While many Americans confuse the sweet potato with a yam, the two are different. A yam is a starchy tuber while the sweet potato is truly a sweet root vegetable. The sweet potato also comes in a variety of sizes and colors, including pale to bright orange, white and purple. High in fiber and low in fat and calories, this root vegetable is a healthful alternative to snack foods when prepared without added butter, sugar or salt.

Unlike other potatoes, sweet potatoes like long, hot growing seasons. This might explain why it is the state vegetable of North Carolina.

When storing your sweet potatoes, keep them in a cool, dry place. However, don’t refrigerate them unless they’re cooked. Refrigeration will give them a bitter taste, ruining their sweet flavor. Cooks find numerous ways to experiment with sweet potatoes, too!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #CookASweetPotatoDay

No matter how you cook a sweet potato, be sure to invite someone to share it with you. What’s your favorite meal of the day? Then make a sweet potato dish! Breakfast, lunch, supper or dessert call for sweet potatoes in some form. While you’re celebrating, share your favorite dishes with us. We even have a few for you to try:

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet Potato Pineapple Casserole
Louisiana Sweet Potato Pancakes Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping Sweet Potato Cake

Use #CookASweetPotatoDay to post on social media.