Onion Yield: Peeled, Diced and Cooked
About 88% of a whole dry onion is usable once peeled and trimmed: the USDA Food Buying Guide gives 0.88 lb ready to use per pound purchased, and USDA’s nutrient database puts the waste at 10%. Cooked, a pound of whole onions gives about 0.78 lb.
USDA yields for onion
From the USDA Food Buying Guide: how much ready-to-use or cooked product one pound as purchased gives.
| As purchased (USDA description) | Result, as USDA states it | Yield | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onions, Mature, fresh; All sizes, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.88 lb ready-to-serve or -cook raw onion (ready to use, raw) | 88% | FBG table |
| Onions, Mature, fresh; All sizes, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.78 lb cooked onion (cooked) | 78% | FBG table |
| Onions, Mature, fresh; Yellow, Jumbo, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.65 lb (about 1-3/8 cups) peeled, sliced, cooked onion (cooked) | 65% | FBG table |
How much is waste
USDA’s nutrient database (SR28, NDB 11282) lists 10% of “Onions, raw” as refuse: stem ends, sprouts and defects.
How much to buy
At 88% (peeled, ready-to-use onion):
| Ready to use | Buy as purchased |
|---|---|
| 1.00 lb | 1.14 lb |
| 5.00 lb | 5.68 lb |
| 10.0 lb | 11.4 lb |
| 25.0 lb | 28.4 lb |
Cost per usable pound
At 88%, the price per pound as purchased becomes:
| Price as purchased | Cost per usable pound |
|---|---|
| $0.80/lb | $0.91/lb |
| $1.00/lb | $1.14/lb |
| $1.20/lb | $1.36/lb |
Example prices. Put yours in the food yield calculator.
Run your own numbers
Good to know
- Jumbo yellow onions, peeled, sliced and cooked, give about 0.65 lb per pound purchased.
FAQ
How much of an onion is usable?
About 88% by weight after peeling and trimming the ends, per the USDA Food Buying Guide; USDA’s nutrient database lists 10% as stem ends, sprouts and defects.
How many pounds of onions do I need for 10 lb diced?
About 11.4 lb of whole onions (10 ÷ 0.88).
How much do onions cook down?
A pound of whole onions gives about 0.78 lb cooked, per the USDA Food Buying Guide; jumbo yellow onions sliced and cooked give about 0.65 lb.
Sources
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (yield tables; public domain)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (refuse)
USDA figures are averages; size, grade, trim, ripeness and cooking change them. Weigh your own main items before you cost a menu on them.
Last reviewed October 11, 2026.