Are onions okay instead of shallots?

[flobadob]

I have a recipe for chicken soup which uses shallots. Woulf it be okay to use onion instead? Also should I use red onion?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes of course.

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry that sounded terse.

[vakayu]

I would not recommend using red onion as that would discolour the soup.

[HowardKennitby]

I wouldn't use red onion. White onions will be OK but the taste will not be as good as shallots.

[starone]

White Onions tend to be stronger than red ones. I don't cry when I chop red onions but I weep copiously with white ones. A clove of garlic is nice flobadob. I like garlic. I usually keep shallots for pickling, never thought of putting them in soup.

[shoota]

Use white onions, but not in copious amounts and sweat them in oil until translucent to burn off the harsh taste.