Yes, an onion is considered a real vegetable.
What is a Vegetable?
A vegetable is a plant or part of a plant that is used for food. The scientific definition of a vegetable is a bit more complex, but for our purposes, we can think of it as any edible plant part that isn't a fruit.
Onions as Vegetables
Onions are a type of bulb vegetable. This means they are the swollen, underground stem of the plant, which stores food for the plant to use later. The edible part of the onion is the bulb, which is made up of layers of fleshy leaves.
Why are Onions Considered Vegetables?
Onions are considered vegetables because they are not the fruit of the plant. The fruit of the onion plant is a small, round capsule that contains the seeds. The bulb is the edible part of the plant that is used for food.
Other Examples of Bulb Vegetables
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Chives
- Leeks
Conclusion
Onions are considered vegetables because they are edible plant parts that are not fruits. They are a type of bulb vegetable, meaning they are the swollen, underground stem of the plant.