If you find the vegetables in your fridge are going off too quickly, you might be storing them wrong. An expert has shared her top tips for keeping onions fresh for three months or longer
We all recognise the annoyance of reaching into the fridge for some fresh veggies only to find them spoilt quicker than expected. Onions, a basic ingredient in countless home-cooked dishes, can actually last up to three months when stored properly, says one expert.
Contrary to popular practice, keeping onions in the fridge might be making them go mouldy more quickly because cold temperatures speed up the conversion of starch to sugar in onions, just like in other allium veggies. Cooking whizz and creator of Little House Living, Melissa, said: “While whole onions can be stored in a fridge, it is not recommended. That is because whole raw onions absorb moisture quickly and can turn softer in the fridge.”
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She’s dishing out top tips on how to keep both whole and sliced onions fresher for longer. To extend the life of your whole onions, Melissa advises stashing them in a cupboard or drawer. If they’re on the counter, shield them from direct sun exposure.
Melissa further advises: “Store your onions in a dry [spot] where moisture cannot seep through to keep them from spoiling or rotting. Avoid storing onions in areas such as under the sink or in the basement, where it is humid.”
She explained that storing onions in an area that is too hot could cause them to dry out and begin to sprout, which can lead to rot and spoilage. Similarly, if onions get too cold they will become moist and could lose their firmness and turn mouldy.
Melissa also advises removing vegetables from their original plastic packaging, which is often used in supermarkets. Instead, place them somewhere with good airflow.
They can be stored in a mesh or paper bag. Melissa stated: “Plastic bags will invite a great deal of moisture and make the onions rot faster than you want them to.”
Peeled onions can last up to 10 days in the fridge when stored correctly, the expert added, while peeled onions could last up to 14 days. Melissa says they should “always ” be stored in the fridge.
Onion pieces should be stored in a container to avoid exposure to ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening process.
Melissa further added: “Sliced, chopped, and cooked onions should always be stored in the fridge. These types of onions are not suitable for pantries and will rot quickly outside your fridge.
“Half-cut onions should be wrapped tightly in cling film or plastic wrap and then put into an airtight container, while chopped onions should be put in a plastic zipper bag.”
