How many calories are in 1 spring onion?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Healthline, a medium-sized young onion, often interchangeably called a spring onion, green onion, or scallion, contains only around 5 calories. This remarkably low calorie count makes the spring onion a popular, flavorful addition to a wide range of dishes without adding significant caloric load.

Quick Summary

A single spring onion is extremely low in calories, with a medium stalk having approximately 5 calories. It is a flavorful, nutrient-dense vegetable rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants. Due to its minimal calorie count, it is an excellent ingredient for adding flavor and nutrients to meals without impacting weight management goals.

Key Points

Low Calorie: A single medium spring onion contains only about 5 calories, making it an ideal, low-calorie flavoring agent.
Nutrient-Dense: Spring onions are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and provide essential minerals like calcium and potassium.
Supports Digestion: The dietary fiber found in spring onions aids in healthy digestion and promotes satiety.
Powerful Antioxidants: This vegetable contains beneficial flavonoids and sulfur compounds that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Weight Management Ally: Due to their low calorie and high fiber content, spring onions are an excellent addition to a weight management diet.
Minimal Calorie Impact: The calorie count from cooking spring onions remains very low unless extra fats like oil are added.
Versatile Ingredient: Both the green tops and white bulb can be used raw in salads or cooked in various dishes like soups and stir-fries.

Calorie Breakdown of a Single Spring Onion

While the exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the size of the spring onion, most sources agree that it is an extremely low-calorie food. Here is a more detailed look at the calorie breakdown:

Small Spring Onion (approx. 5g): Contains around 2 calories.
Medium Spring Onion (approx. 15g): Contains about 5 calories.
Large Spring Onion (approx. 25g): Contains roughly 8 calories.

These figures demonstrate that even a large spring onion contributes a negligible amount to your daily caloric intake. The calories are derived primarily from carbohydrates, with a negligible amount of fat and protein.

Nutritional Composition Beyond Calories

Beyond its low calorie count, a spring onion offers a variety of valuable nutrients:

Vitamins: Rich in vitamins A and C, which support immune function and vision health. It is also an excellent source of vitamin K, crucial for blood clotting and bone health.
Minerals: Provides small but beneficial amounts of calcium, potassium, and manganese.
Fiber: Contains dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness, supporting weight management.
Antioxidants: Like other members of the allium family (e.g., garlic), spring onions contain flavonoids and sulfur compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Raw vs. Cooked Spring Onion Calories

The way you prepare your spring onions can affect the overall calorie count of the dish, but it has a minimal impact on the calories from the spring onion itself. The primary concern is the cooking method and what is added during the process. Cooking raw spring onions, for instance, does not significantly alter their inherent caloric value. However, if you add oil or butter to sauté them, the total calorie count of the dish will increase based on the amount of fat used.

A Comparison of Onion Calories

Spring onions are not the only member of the Allium family known for its low-calorie content. Let's compare the caloric content of various onions per 100g, according to nutritional data:


Onion Type	Calories (per 100g)	Notes
Spring Onions	~30 calories	Known for a milder flavor and often used raw or as a garnish.
Sweet Onions	~32 calories	Slightly higher in carbs and calories, with a sweeter profile.
Yellow Onions	~38 calories	A versatile staple, slightly more caloric than sweet onions.
White Onions	~36 calories	Similar to yellow onions in calorie density and usage.
Red Onions	~44 calories	Highest in calories among common bulb onions, often enjoyed raw in salads.
Shallots	~70-75 calories	More caloric due to a denser, more concentrated composition.

This table highlights that spring onions are among the lowest-calorie options in the onion family, making them a great choice for adding flavor to a dish while maintaining a lower calorie count.

Culinary Uses of Spring Onions

Spring onions are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Both the white bulb and green stalks are edible and can be used in various ways.

Raw Uses:

Garnish: Finely chopped green tops make a fresh, colorful garnish for soups, baked potatoes, and noodle dishes.
Salads: Sliced spring onions add a mild, crisp onion flavor to green salads, potato salads, or dips.
Toppings: Use on tacos, casseroles, or pizza for a fresh, zesty kick.

Cooked Uses:

Stir-fries: Add chopped spring onions towards the end of cooking to maintain a fresh, crisp texture.
Soups and Stews: Can be added to the base of soups or sprinkled on top for a final flourish of flavor.
Sautéing: Lightly sautéed spring onions provide a tender, sweeter flavor profile.

Conclusion: Spring Onions are a Calorie-Wise Choice

For anyone monitoring their calorie intake, the answer to "how many calories are in 1 spring onion?" is very reassuring. A single spring onion contains just a few calories, making it a nearly guilt-free way to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your meals. This versatile vegetable not only adds a mild, fresh onion taste but also contributes important vitamins and antioxidants with minimal caloric impact. Whether used raw as a garnish or cooked into a dish, the spring onion is a healthy choice for flavorful cooking. Its low-calorie, nutrient-rich profile makes it an excellent ally for weight management and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single medium spring onion contains approximately 5 calories, based on standard nutritional data.

The caloric value of the spring onion itself does not change significantly when cooked. However, the total calories in a dish will increase if you use oil or butter during the cooking process.

Yes, spring onions are beneficial for weight loss because they are very low in calories and high in dietary fiber, which helps you feel full and promotes healthy digestion.

The terms 'spring onion,' 'green onion,' and 'scallion' are often used interchangeably, though technically, a spring onion is more mature and has a small, rounded bulb at the base, while green onions are younger and have a thinner bulb.

Yes, the hollow green stalks of a spring onion are edible and are often used as a fresh, mild-flavored garnish or added to stir-fries.

Yes, they are very healthy. Spring onions are low in calories and fat while being rich in important vitamins (A, C, K), minerals, and beneficial antioxidants.

Spring onions contain fewer calories than regular bulb onions on a per-gram basis. For example, spring onions have about 30 calories per 100g, while red onions have around 44 calories per 100g.