Organic French Red Shallots (lb)

Organic French Red seed shallots represent the familiar red dry-shallot tradition long associated with French market gardens and kitchens. This multiplier allium forms clusters of pear-shaped bulbs with copper-red skins and pink-purple flesh. It is an appealing choice for gardeners who want a refined onion-garlic flavor from compact, productive plantings.

Mix & match savings. This item is eligible for the Garlic Mix & Match discount. Combine eligible seed garlic and shallots to save 10% at 3 pounds, 15% at 10 pounds, or 20% at 30 pounds. The discount is applied automatically in the cart.

French Red turns one planted set into a cluster of handsome copper-red shallots, making it an easy way to get more from a small kitchen-garden space. The slim leaves stay tidy in raised beds, while the pink-purple flesh makes the harvest feel special when the bulbs are sliced open. Grow it for the pleasure of lifting a whole nest at once—and for the gentle, savory flavor that is hard to replace with an ordinary onion.

The flavor is milder and more nuanced than many storage onions, with gentle sweetness and a subtle garlic note. Slice the bulbs thinly for vinaigrettes, salads, and garnishes, or cook them slowly for sauces, pan reductions, roasts, and caramelized toppings. Their attractive interior color and manageable size make them especially useful when a recipe needs shallot flavor without the bulk of a full onion.

When growing French Red shallots, tuck the sets into a sunny, well-drained bed in fall with the tips close to the soil surface. Loose soil gives the developing cluster room to expand, while steady spring moisture helps keep growth moving without waterlogging the bulbs. Let the tops yellow and fall naturally around mid-summer, then lift the clusters and cure them whole in a dry, shaded, airy place before separating the individual shallots.

Variety Details

• Type: Multiplier shallot, Allium cepa Aggregatum Group
• Flavor: Delicate, savory, and mildly sweet with onion and garlic notes
• Bulbs & Clusters: Pear-shaped bulbs multiply into clusters; size and count vary
• Appearance: Copper to brownish-red skin with pink-purple flesh
• Planting Time: Fall
• Approximate Harvest: Mid-summer; timing varies by climate and planting date
• Zones & Climate: Zones 2–10
• Storage: Cure thoroughly, then keep cool, dry, dark, and well ventilated
• Something Special: Classic French-style color and flavor in a space-efficient multiplier crop

Compare Garlic Varieties

For planting and variety guidance, visit the Garlic Resource Center, use the Garlic Selector, or browse all Seed Garlic & Shallots. For a side-by-side look at flavor, type, harvest timing, and more, open the downloadable Fall 2026 Garlic Varieties Summary (PDF).