One storage method can keep large red, brown or white onions fresh for much longer than the average three months they typically last in a kitchen cupboard or pantry
Onions, despite their varying shapes and sizes, can be tricky to store, especially the larger white, brown or red ones.
Even though they’re a robust root vegetable, their watery core can become bruised and mushy if not stored correctly, even in the chilliest, darkest kitchen cupboard. While most onions can last an impressive three months on average, there’s a storage method that can keep them fresh for much longer.
And it doesn’t require pricey containers or sophisticated gadgets, but something far simpler. An expert at the Tasting Table suggests that a clean pair of tights is all you need to preserve large onions for an extended period. Although it might be tempting to stick with traditional methods of storing onions in boxes or plastic bags, breathable tights prove to be more effective.
Whether they’re a new pair bought specifically for this storage hack or an old pair no longer in use, the key is to ensure they’re clean. The Tasting Table expert revealed: “It turns out that pantyhose isn’t just good for keeping your legs covered – they also make excellent onion wrappers.
“Why? Onions need to breathe to last a long time. They absorb moisture more readily than other items.” This is precisely why they don’t fare as well as other vegetables in airtight containers or zip-lock bags, due to the lack of free air circulation, reports the Express.
The National Onion Association even advises against storing these pungent root vegetables in plastic bags for this very reason. The Tasting Table expert explained that tights, due to their tiny holes, provide ample ventilation to keep onions “nice and dry”.
How to store onions in tights
The first method involves cutting off the top leg of a pair of tights to make a singular tube-like sack, then placing a few onions into the toe area before tying the opening securely. This sack should then be stored somewhere cool and away from light or heat in the kitchen.
For larger batches, onions can be neatly organised into individual sections within the tights by putting one onion in, followed by a knot, and repeating this process along the length of the leg. Use the onions sequentially until you’ve used up the stash.
Whichever approach you choose, always ensure the onions are washed and dried properly before storing to prevent any soil or moisture from spoiling them.
