When you pick up an onion plant , there ’s this unspoken dedication : you ’re not just grab a vegetable . You ’re support onto flavor , profoundness , and the power to make your meals palpate like they ’ve come from a five - star kitchen .
But what happens when your onion decide to give up the touch and waste before you ’ve even gotten through one-half of them ? Well , that ’s a problem .
fortuitously , with the veracious storage techniques , you’re able to keep those onions unfermented for months . Yes , months . Here ’s how .
The Onion Breakdown: Know Your Types
Not all onion are create adequate , and understanding the difference can serve you figure out how to lay in them properly . There are two main category of onions : storage onionsandsweet onions .
Storage Onions : These are the thick - skinned , long - endure onion . recollect chicken , livid , and red onion . They ’re hardier , making them idealistic for long - term storage . You ’re probably used to seeing them at the grocery fund , heap high in bins .
Sweet Onions : These are the Vidalias , Walla Wallas , and other juicy , thin - skinned variety .
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While their flavor is mild and delicious , they do n’t have the same staying power as storage onions . But do n’t worry , they can still be stored for a reasonable amount of time if you handle them right .
Airflow is Key: Avoid the Onion Sweats
Onions hate moisture . Like , really hate it . If you hive away them in a humid property , they ’ll sprout or work mild and mushy faster than you may say , “ Gallic onion plant soup . ”
To keep them fresh , you need to prioritize air flow . That means no stuffing them in plastic bags or sealed containers . Those environment trap moisture , and snare moisture equals disaster for Allium cepa .
So, what’s the best way to store them?
Mesh Bags or Baskets : These are your secure friends . You know those mesh bags onions sometimes come in ? They ’re not just for show .
They countenance melodic line to circulate around the onions , keeping them dry and happy . If you ’ve already taken them out of the bag , do n’t interest . A wire basket or bowl that allows airflow will do the joke .
Pantyhose Hack : Okay , this might sound weird , but if you ’ve get an special pair of clean-living pantyhose lie in around , you ’ve strike atomic number 79 .
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splay an onion plant into one peg , tie a knot above it , then steal in another onion . Repeat the unconscious process until you ’ve filled the hose . Hang it up in a cool , dry place , and your Allium cepa will thank you for their Modern , breezy dig .
Plus , this hack can keep them unfermented for up to six months .
Cool, Dark, and Dry: The Onion Trifecta
There ’s no acquiring around it – onions thrive in cool , dark , and dry environs . If they had a date visibility , that ’s what they ’d lean under “ idealistic consideration . ”
You ’re going to require to store them in a place that ’s ironical and slightly cooler than room temperature , around 45 - 55 ° F ( 7 - 13 ° C ) .
So , where can you find this onion plant nirvana in your base ?
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Pantry : If your buttery is dark , cool , and has decent air flow , it ’s the perfect spot for your onions . Keep them off the ground , though , as the base incline to accumulate more wet .
Basement or Cellar : If you ’ve catch a basement or basement that does n’t get too humid , onions will live their best spirit down there . But be mindful of temperature fluctuations ; you do n’t want things to get too dusty , or they might shoot prematurely .
service department : In the cooler month , a garage can be another good choice , as long as it ’s not prone to dampness .
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What About Refrigeration?
Here ’s the trade : onions and icebox do n’t always get along . While sweet onion benefit from cool temps ( and can be stack away in the fridge for a scant time ) , storage onions generally do n’t need to be refrigerate .
The cold surroundings of your fridge will acquaint wet , which contribute to – you judge it – delicate , sprouting onions .
When is it okay to refrigerate onions?
Sweet Onions : Due to their higher piss content , sweet onions are more prostrate to spoiling .
Pop them in the fridge , but do n’t leave to envelop them in a paper towel or localise them in a breathable purse to avoid moisture buildup .
Peeled or Cut Onions : Once you ’ve prune into an onion , the clock is ticking . Keep any raw or chopped onions in an airtight container in the fridge .
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They ’ll stay good for about a week , and yes , it ’s good to stack away them like this . Just be cook for your fridge to smell like onions every time you open it . That ’s the monetary value you devote for pre - chopping gizmo .
Avoid the Potato-Onion Romance
It sounds like a foreign fixed storage - com , but trust me , onions and potatoes should never experience together . Why ? Because they both emit gases that make the other ripen – and rot – faster .
It ’s like they ’re in a toxic human relationship . Keep them far aside in your pantry , and both will survive much longer , happy spirit .
Signs of Trouble: When Onions Go Bad
No matter how carefully you hive away your onion plant , sometimes lifetime just happens , and one or two might turn on you . Here ’s what to bet for to catch a bad onion before it ruin the bunch :
Soft Spots or mould : If an onion has subdued , squishy areas or seeable mold , it ’s a toast . Toss it before it infects the quietus .
Sprouting : Sprouting onions can still be used , but you ’ll call for to trend out the fleeceable shoot , which can have a bitter taste sensation . If your onions are burgeon forth too often , twofold - check your storage condition . They might be too warm .
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Off Smell : A smart onion plant should have a mild , earthy smell . If it ’s starting to smell funky or rancid , it ’s past its blossom .
Storing Onions for the Long Haul: Freezing and Dehydrating
Let ’s say you ’ve buy too many Allium cepa and you know they wo n’t last in storage . you could always turn to freezing or dehydrate as a way to extend their shelf life-time even further .
Freezing Onions
Freezing onion might not seem like an obvious choice , but it ferment surprisingly well . You just have to do a moment of prep :
hack the Onions : Peel and chop the onions to your preferent size – whether that ’s slices or diced glob .
Blanch ( Optional):Blanching your onions before freezing can help preserve their texture , but it ’s not strictly necessary . If you pick out to parboil them , cast the onion patch into stewing water for 3 minutes , then shift them to an ice tub .
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Flash Freeze : Spread the chopped Allium cepa in a unmarried stratum on a baking sheet and block them for a few hours . This prevents them from stick together in a large clump once you transfer them to a container .
Store in Airtight Containers or suitcase : Once the onions are frozen , change them to an airtight container or freezer bag . pronounce it with the date , and they ’ll keep for up to 8 calendar month .
Just keep in mind that frozen onion lose some of their compaction , so they ’re best used in cooked dishes like soups , stews , or casserole .
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Dehydrating Onions
If you ’re really serious about long - terminus storage , dehydrating onions is another solid choice .
Slice the Onions : Peel and slice your onions thinly .
habituate a Dehydrator or Oven : Spread the slicing in a unmarried stratum on the dehydrator tray or a baking sheet . If using a dehydrator , follow the producer ’s instructions , usually drying at around 135 ° F ( 57 ° C ) .
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In an oven , specify it to the lowest temperature possible and will the door snap for flow of air . It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours , depending on the thickness of the slices and the dry method .
fund in Airtight Containers : Once your onions are fully dried and nippy , store them in airtight containers . They ’ll keep for over a year and are gross for soup , seasoning blend , or even as crunchy salad topping .
keep back onions fresh for calendar month does n’t need a gross ton of effort – just a piddling tending to the detail .
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verify your onions have the ripe airflow , keep them in a cool and dry spot , and resist the temptation to store them with spud . If you do that , you ’ll be fudge with fresh , flavourous Allium cepa for a long fourth dimension to do .
So the next meter you find yourself eyeing that bulk dish of onion plant at the storage , go ahead and toss them in your cart . You ’ve got this storage thing down . Just make certain to keep an extra yoke of pantyhose handy .
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