This is how my grandmother used to do it:
- Peel one medium or large onion.
- Insert 5 to 10 whole cloves into the onion.
- Place the clove-studded onion into your dish: soups, broths, stews, beans, lentils, or sauces.
- Let it simmer with the rest of the ingredients.
- You can remove the onion before serving, or mash it in for extra richness.
💡 Bonus tip: You can dry the clove-infused onion and grind it into a homemade seasoning blend.
👵 A Culinary Tradition
My grandmother would always say:
“Cloves and onion are like a loving couple — they bring out the best in each other.”
In traditional French cuisine, this technique is used in classic recipes like pot-au-feu, bouillon de légumes, or béchamel sauce. In fact, the French call this combination a “clouté onion”, meaning “nailed with cloves.”
🧪 Backed by Science
Modern research confirms that both onions and cloves have health-promoting properties:
- Cloves contain eugenol, a compound known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and digestive benefits. According to a study published in the Journal of Natural Medicine (2011), eugenol can even reduce inflammation and promote gut health.
- Onions are high in quercetin, a powerful antioxidant flavonoid. A 2007 review in Nutrition Research Reviews found that quercetin helps regulate blood pressure and has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects.
Combining the two ingredients doesn’t just flavor your food — it supports your digestive and immune health naturally.
✅ Benefits of the Onion & Clove Trick
- 100% natural, no artificial ingredients
- Deepens the flavor of your dishes
- Enhances digestion
- Simple and inexpensive
- Easy to incorporate into many recipes
🧄 Try It Tonight!
The next time you prepare soup, lentils, or even a meat stew, add a clove-studded onion and taste the difference. It’s a small gesture with a big impact, and a reminder that sometimes the best flavor secrets come from grandma’s kitchen.
