shallot

American  

[shal-uht, shuh-lot] / ˈʃæl ət, ʃəˈlɒt /

noun

1. a cultivar of the onion, Allium cepa aggregatum, having a divided bulb used for flavoring in cooking.

2. the bulb of onion cultivar Allium cepa aggregatum, used in cooking.

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shallot British  

/ ʃəˈlɒt /

noun

1. Also called: scallion.  an alliaceous plant, Allium ascalonicum, cultivated for its edible bulb

2. the bulb of this plant, which divides into small sections and is used in cooking for flavouring and as a vegetable

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Etymology

Origin of shallot

First recorded in 1655–65; shortening of earlier eschalot, from French échalote, diminutive of Middle French eschaloigne scallion

Example Sentences

Another great salad is strawberries mixed with fava beans, radishes, greens and a garlic vinaigrette or shallot vinaigrette.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

Crispy, crunchy fried shiitake mushrooms are piled high on a bed of shallot chilli butter, which sits on a crunch roll.

From Salon • May 28, 2024

The salmon is drizzled with dry vermouth, then roasts in a foil-wrapped baking dish with shallot, carrot, celery and thyme.

From Washington Times • Dec. 21, 2023

We peel pieces of the dried meat like string cheese, pulling away long tiles and dipping them in a sauce made with rice vinegar, shallot and sharp black peppercorns from Cambodia.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2023

Shallot is stronger than garlic and onion; a real Tartar sauce cannot be made without shallot.

From Hand-Book of Practical Cookery for Ladies and Professional Cooks by Blot, Pierre