OSRS Onion Guide: Farming, Uses & Value Explained

By Sophie Dubois
OSRS Onion Guide: Farming, Uses & Value Explained
In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), onions are a fundamental Farming crop primarily used for cooking seafood dishes like shrimp and anchovies, completing specific quests, and as an ingredient in various food recipes. Players can grow onions in allotment patches after obtaining onion seeds, with a farming level requirement of 13 and a typical growth cycle of 40 minutes per stage.

Mastering OSRS Onion Farming: Your Complete Resource Guide

Onions might seem like a basic crop in Old School RuneScape, but they're actually one of the most versatile and economically valuable early-game resources. Whether you're a new player just starting your Farming journey or a veteran looking to optimize your cooking setup, understanding the full potential of OSRS onions can significantly boost your gameplay efficiency.

Why Onions Matter in Your OSRS Progression

Onions serve multiple critical functions that make them indispensable for players at various stages. They're not just filler crops—they're strategic resources that impact your cooking capabilities, quest completion, and even your early-game economy. The beauty of OSRS onion farming is its accessibility; with just Farming level 13, you can start cultivating this valuable crop almost immediately after creating your account.

Crop Type Farming Level Growth Time Profit Per Patch (GP) Primary Uses
Onions 13 40 minutes/stage 3,200 Cooking, Quests, Alchemy
Potatoes 5 40 minutes/stage 1,800 Cooking, Quests
Cabbage 21 50 minutes/stage 4,500 Cooking, Quests

OSRS crop comparison showing why onions offer the best early-game value for players with Farming level 13-20

Your Step-by-Step OSRS Onion Farming Process

Starting your OSRS onion farming journey requires just a few simple steps that even brand-new players can complete:

  1. Obtain onion seeds - Get them from farming allotments, as monster drops (particularly from chickens), or purchase from the Grand Exchange
  2. Prepare your patch - Use a rake to clear any weeds from an allotment patch (found at farming patches near Falador, Ardougne, or other major cities)
  3. Plant the seeds - Use the seed on the tilled soil with farming level 13
  4. Apply plant cure - Use a plant cure or supercompost to prevent disease (increases success rate by 10-15%)
  5. Harvest your crop - Return after approximately 80 minutes (two growth stages) to collect 4-8 onions per patch

Pro tip: When learning how to grow onions in OSRS efficiently, always use supercompost for maximum yield. This simple step increases your harvest quantity by 10-15% and reduces the chance of crop failure.

Practical Applications: What Can You Do With OSRS Onions?

Understanding what onions are used for in Old School RuneScape transforms them from simple crops to valuable strategic resources:

Cooking Essential

Onions are mandatory ingredients for several high-value cooking recipes:

  • Shrimp: Requires 1 shrimp + 1 onion (cooking level 15)
  • Anchovies: Requires 1 anchovies + 1 onion (cooking level 15)
  • Onion soup: Requires 1 onion + 1 bowl (cooking level 5)

Quest Requirements

Several quests require onions as part of their completion:

  • Rune Mysteries: Need 1 onion for Brother Omad
  • Sheep Shearer: Requires 1 onion for the quest
  • Gertrude's Cat: Used in potion making during the quest

Economic Value

While not the most profitable crop long-term, onions serve as excellent early-game currency. Players often ask "what is the current OSRS onion price?" - as of the latest market data, onions typically sell for 10-15gp each on the Grand Exchange, making a full patch worth approximately 3,200gp when harvested.

OSRS onion crop growing in farming patch

Advanced OSRS Onion Strategies

Once you've mastered the basics of OSRS onion farming guide techniques, consider these advanced applications:

Quest Optimization

Many players overlook how onions can streamline quest completion. For example, in Rune Mysteries, having onions ready before speaking to Brother Omad saves valuable quest time. This represents one of the most efficient OSRS onion quest requirements applications.

Cooking Profitability Analysis

While raw onions have modest value, cooking them with shrimp creates significant profit potential. A single shrimp (cost: 10gp) plus an onion (cost: 10gp) creates cooked shrimp worth 60gp, yielding a 40gp profit per item. This makes how to make onion soup OSRS and other onion-based cooking methods excellent early-game money makers.

Context Boundaries: When Onions Become Less Valuable

Understanding the limitations of onions is crucial for efficient resource management. Onions remain highly valuable from levels 1-30 cooking, but their utility diminishes as you progress:

  • After level 30 cooking: Players typically move to higher-value foods like tuna and lobster that don't require onions
  • After level 40 farming: More profitable crops like potatoes and cabbages become accessible
  • For alchemy: Onions provide minimal value compared to higher-tier items

This context awareness prevents wasted effort on onion farming when more efficient options become available in your OSRS onion farming guide progression.

Maximizing Your OSRS Onion Experience

For players serious about optimizing their early-game experience, onions represent one of the most accessible and versatile resources. By understanding both their applications and limitations, you can strategically incorporate onion farming into your overall OSRS progression plan. Whether you're focused on cooking, questing, or early economic development, mastering OSRS onion farming provides tangible benefits that compound as you advance through the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find onion seeds in OSRS?

Onion seeds can be obtained by clearing allotment patches of weeds, purchasing from the Grand Exchange, or as drops from chickens (particularly in the Lumbridge chicken pen). The most reliable early-game method is clearing the allotment patch north of Falador.

What's the fastest way to get onions in OSRS?

The fastest method is farming them yourself. With Farming level 13, plant onion seeds in an allotment patch, use supercompost, and return after 80 minutes to harvest 4-8 onions. Alternatively, you can purchase them from the Grand Exchange, but this requires in-game currency.

Can I use onions for anything besides cooking in OSRS?

Yes, onions serve multiple purposes beyond cooking. They're required for several quests including Rune Mysteries and Sheep Shearer, can be used in the creation of certain potions, and serve as ingredients for making onion soup which provides minor prayer restoration.

How many onions do I need for OSRS quests?

Most quests requiring onions need just 1 onion per quest. Rune Mysteries, Sheep Shearer, and Gertrude's Cat each require a single onion. Having 3-5 onions in your inventory covers all early-game quest requirements involving this crop.

Sophie Dubois

Sophie Dubois

A French-trained chef who specializes in the art of spice blending for European cuisines. Sophie challenges the misconception that European cooking lacks spice complexity through her exploration of historical spice traditions from medieval to modern times. Her research into ancient European herbals and cookbooks has uncovered forgotten spice combinations that she's reintroduced to contemporary cooking. Sophie excels at teaching the technical aspects of spice extraction - how to properly infuse oils, create aromatic stocks, and build layered flavor profiles. Her background in perfumery gives her a unique perspective on creating balanced spice blends that appeal to all senses. Sophie regularly leads sensory training workshops helping people develop their palate for distinguishing subtle spice notes and understanding how different preparation methods affect flavor development.