Organic Grey Shallots (lb)

Organic Grey seed shallots belong to Allium oschaninii, a shallot species with roots in Central and Southwest Asia that became closely identified with French cuisine. Often called griselle-type shallots, they are distinguished by rough grey skins and purple-white flesh. Gardeners prize them for their concentrated aroma, compact clusters, and unusually complex flavor.

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.

Grey shallots are for growers who enjoy a crop with real personality. The bulbs are smaller and more rustic than common red shallots, with rough grey skins hiding purple-white flesh and remarkably concentrated aroma. A short row can produce numerous little bulbs for sauces, roasting, and vinaigrettes. They may not look supermarket-perfect, but their old-world character and deep flavor make harvest day especially rewarding for adventurous cooks.

The flavor is earthy, aromatic, and savory, with the sweetness of shallot and a distinct garlic-like finish. Use finely minced bulbs in vinaigrettes and herb sauces, tuck them beside poultry or root vegetables for roasting, or sweat them gently as the base of soups and pan sauces. Their concentrated character makes them particularly useful when a dish needs allium complexity without a large quantity.

When growing Grey shallots, make drainage the priority: plant in fall with the growing tip near the surface and avoid any spot that stays soggy after rain. Keep the bed lightly cultivated and evenly moist while the clusters develop. Lift the bulbs when the foliage begins to collapse around mid-summer, then cure them carefully in moving air. Because Grey shallots have a naturally shorter dormancy, plan to enjoy their concentrated flavor earlier in the storage season.

Variety Details

• Type: Grey shallot, Allium oschaninii
• Flavor: Complex, earthy, and aromatic with sweet onion-garlic notes
• Bulbs & Clusters: Small elongated bulbs multiply into clusters; count varies
• Appearance: Rough grey-tan skin with purple-white flesh
• Planting Time: Fall
• Approximate Harvest: Mid-summer; timing varies by climate and planting date
• Zones & Climate: Zones 2–10; well-drained soil is important
• Storage: Cure well and use within its naturally shorter dormancy period
• Something Special: A distinct shallot species celebrated in French cooking for concentrated flavor

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).