Onions are aromatic, healthy and go well with any hearty dish. If you buy a net with a few kilos of the tasty vegetable and do not need the underground storage organs directly, optimal storage is recommended.
In this article you will find out how to keep onions fresh for a long time. Here we go!
How long do onions keep?
Stored in a dark, dry, and cool place, onions will keep for up to six months. At room temperature, the onions have a shelf life of two weeks. Sliced onions will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four days.
So much in brief: but when it comes to onions, not every onion ticks the same way. So let’s start by looking at the shelf life of different types of onions. Then you will find out how it is about sliced and processed onions.
How long do different types of onions last?
Red and yellow onions, as well as the larger green onions, can be kept for a few months if stored correctly. Spring onions are more sensitive to kitchen air, but stay fresh in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.
The advantage of the “bulb bulbs” comes from the drying that has already taken place. Because our supermarket onions have come a long way.
Drying usually takes several weeks and ends when the onions are literally “rustling dry”. […] The possible storage time for high quality depends on the characteristics of the variety and the production conditions as well as on the type of storage.
You can now find out how long the individual varieties can be kept in detail.
How long do red onions keep?
If you store red onions in a cool place, you can achieve a shelf life of a few months. Warm and damp rooms encourage mold and rot.
The refrigerator should only be used as a storage option for sliced onions, as cooling removes the taste.
How long do yellow onions keep?
Yellow onions have a similar shelf life. Like their other colored siblings, they should be kept in a cool spot, protected from light. In this way, the yellow storage organ can be enjoyed for up to six months.
How long do green onions keep?
Large, freshly harvested spring onions will last for a few months if not exposed to heat or moisture. It is best to store finely chopped onions in a bowl covered with foil in the refrigerator. The vegetables can be used for another four days.
When are spring onions bad?
Spring onions stay fresh for a week or two in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. They will keep in the freezer for six months. A good method of storage is a glass of water to keep the roots in contact with liquid.
Tip: You can find out here the best way to freeze spring onions.
How long do shallots keep?
Shallots will keep for a month if stored at average room temperature. The cooler the storage location, the longer the vegetables are fresh. Here, too, the refrigerator should be avoided.
That’s enough of the onion varieties. Next, you’ll learn how the onion’s shelf life changes when you chop, fry, or otherwise process it.
How long do cooked or sliced onions last?
Onions that have already been processed and cut should be used within a few hours, as they quickly lose their taste, appearance and consistency.
The onions will keep covered in a refrigerator for a few days, but you shouldn’t expect a great aroma.
In order to achieve the maximum aroma yield even with longer storage times, you can store cut or processed onions in a vacuum container.
How long do sliced onions last?
Sliced onions barely last a day when exposed to air. In an airtight container and the refrigerator as a storage place, the whole thing increases to four to five days.
How long do cut (half) onions stay fresh?
A freshly cut half onion will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. It is important that no air gets to the vegetables. Stored in this way, it can be used for both salads and hot dishes.
To do this, you can cover the cut with cling film or put it in a container with the cut edge down.
How long do peeled onions last?
A peeled onion lacks the outermost layer, which allows fungi and putrefaction bacteria to penetrate more quickly.
Don’t wait more than a week to use them. Stored in an airtight container and refrigerated, peeled onions will keep for several weeks.
How long do chopped onions last?
Very finely chopped onions are sensitive to the air in the room and are better processed quickly. The background is that by chopping you maximize the surface of the onion and thus the surface area for germs and bacteria to attack.
If you put them covered in the fridge, they will last for two to three days. The longer you wait to consume, the less flavor there is.
How long do dried onions last?
Dried onions will keep for years provided they are not exposed to moisture. A lockable, opaque box in the kitchen cupboard is an optimal storage option.
How Long Do Cooked Onions Keep?
Cooked onions should be used within a day or stored covered in the refrigerator. Rapid consumption is advisable, as the remaining vital substances and taste disappear quickly.
How long do pickled onions keep?
Heated, pickled onions can have a shelf life of several years in airtight jars. However, more than 23 months is not recommended, as the vegetables have a changed taste over time. Uncooked onions in vinegar or oil will keep for a week if exposed to air.
How long can you store stewed onions?
Stewed onions are better enjoyed directly. Whether stored in the refrigerator or left in the pan on the stove, the heated vegetables will gradually lose their aroma.
Now we can take a closer look at the storage of the onion. Because you can only achieve the optimal shelf life of onions with the right storage.
How do you store onions?
The best place to store onions is a dark, cool, and dry place. Sliced onions belong in the fridge or freezer.
At what temperature do you store onions?
A temperature between four and ten degrees Celsius is optimal for storing onions.
Tip: Garlic is stored under similar conditions and can therefore be stored together with onions.
How long do onions keep at room temperature?
Onions stay fresh for about two weeks at normal room temperature. After that, the vegetables begin to show unsightly spots.
How do you store processed or sliced onions?
Simply store processed or sliced onions in the refrigerator. An airtight jar is the right container.
Can you store whole onions in the fridge?
In addition to the spring onions, only sliced and finely chopped onions should go into the fridge. Whole onions that have not yet been processed will otherwise lose their aroma.
For the kitchen or pantry, there is also a clear recommendation on how to store onions.
Should you store onions in a clay pot?
A clay pot is a recommended place to store onions. Here they are well protected from moisture, light and heat.
It is best to use a clay pot that allows the onions to breathe. So not a completely sealed one. Otherwise it can lead to waterlogging and rot.
If you do lose sight of the onions, it’s good to know how to recognize fresh and bad onions. And how to deal with them.
How do you recognize fresh onions?
You can recognize fresh onions by their firmness. If the vegetable barely yields when pressed on the skin, the onion is not too old.
How do you recognize bad expired onions?
Older onions show brown and dry spots. Casting out is also a sign. If rot or mold appears, the onions are bad.
Can you simply cut away rotten spots on onions?
If the vegetables are free of mold, rotten spots can be generously cut away and the onions can be processed further. The older the vegetable is, the more advisable it is not to eat it.
Are soft onions bad?
If the layers of onions are mushy, the vegetables are bad. If only the outer layers are affected, you can still use the onion.
Can onions become poisonous?
Onions cannot become poisonous. Neither do germinating onions. However, mold-infested vegetables can make you sick.
Can you still eat onions when they sprout?
Onions that have already sprouted can be eaten without hesitation. The vegetables do not develop toxins.
What happens if you eat spoiled onions?
Spoiled onions can cause problems in the stomach and intestines. Diarrhea is typical after eating bad vegetables. If the symptoms persist, it is better to consult a doctor.
But it doesn’t have to come to that. Because in the next section you will learn how to preserve onions.
How can onions be preserved?
Onions can be preserved by pickling, boiling and freezing.
Preserve onions by pickling them
Onions can be pickled in a mixture of water and vinegar and thus preserved. Add some spices, salt and sugar for flavor.
Preserve onions by boiling them down
Preserved and stored in airtight jars, onions can be kept for a few years. It is important that the glasses are free of germs. After filling, turn the jars upside down to seal them airtight.
Preserve onions by freezing
Sliced onions can be kept in the freezer for up to six months. Whole onions should be stored away from sub-zero temperatures, as frost affects the aroma and consistency.
How long do processed onion products keep?
Finally, let’s look at different onion products. From onion cake to chutney, the shelf life of onions varies significantly.
How long does onion chutney keep?
Unopened and airtight in a jar, onion chutney will keep for several weeks. Once opened, you should put the jar in the fridge and use it up within a week.
How long does onion tart keep?
Onion pie will keep in the fridge for three to four days. At room temperature, consumption within one day is recommended.
How long does onion juice keep in the fridge?
If the onion juice is kept tightly sealed in the refrigerator, it will keep for three days. If it is exposed to the air in the kitchen, quick consumption is the order of the day.
How long does Onion Honey Cough Syrup last?
A mixture of onions and honey will keep in the fridge for four to five days. If the mass shows a major change in colour, it should go in the trash can.
Conclusion: how long do onions last?
With the exception of spring onions, all onions can be kept for a few months if you keep them in a cool, dry place, protected from light. A clay pot that you put in the basement is ideal. In cut and otherwise processed form, vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator. An airtight container and a bowl that you seal with foil are ideal for storage.1