A Quick Glance…
Onions can last between two weeks to three months, depending on the variety and storage conditions. The general rule is that whole, unpeeled onions will last for several months when stored in a cool, dark, and dry place with good ventilation. They should not be stored in plastic bags, as this can cause moisture accumulation leading to mold. Cut or peeled onions, however, should be refrigerated in a sealed container and are typically good for about one to two weeks. Remember, the lifespan of an onion can be affected by factors such as how fresh it was when you bought it, the storage conditions, and the specific variety of onion.
How to store onions?
The best way to increase the shelf life of onions is to store them whole. Keep them in a well ventilated and cool area. Onions will start to sprout and rot if they are exposed to too much sunlight.
You do not want to keep onions in a Ziploc bag as this does not allow the onions to breathe. If they are kept in a bag, this will speed up the rotting process. Onions will last long in climates that are cool and dry with less moisture in the air.
So do not be surprised if your onions have a shorter shelf life in the summer opposed to their shelf life in the winter. If you store your onions chopped, their shelf life will extend. You can keep them in a plastic container in the fridge.
Should you store onions in the fridge?
When you are storing onions, their shelf life varies on how you are storing them and where. If you keep your onions whole and are storing them in the pantry, your onions will be able to last up to 6 months.
Climate will play a huge role in how long your whole onions will last. It is not wise to store whole onions in the fridge or freezer, as they will spoil quicker. If you have chopped or diced onions, if you stick them in the fridge they can last you are 6-10 days so plan on using those onions quickly.
If you stick them in the freezer, they will last you up to possibly 8 months. This is a smart move if you are planning on using these onions over multiple meals or if you just do not feel like having to continuously buy onions.
What are the signs if an onion has gone bad?
There are many ways to tell if the onions you have are spoiled. The first thing you can do is look at them. Whole onions will develop dark spots on their outside when they start to go bad.
A bigger tell sign is that they will start spouting green from the top. If your onions are chopped, simply look for mold. If you do not trust your eyes, give the onions a feel. They should be firm and smooth.
If the whole onion is soft, that means it is going bad. If you are storing chopped or sliced onions and they feel slimy, they are no longer good. The last thing you can do to check is give them a good smell.
While onions fresh don’t smell great to some, you will notice a difference between a fresh onion and a spoiled one.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion
- https://www.onions-usa.org/all-about-onions/storage-and-handling/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-store-onions
- https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/why-you-shouldnt-store-peeled-onions-1822905
