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How Long Does A Cut Onion Last?
To put it simply, cut onions should only be stored in the refrigerator or freezer; they should never be left out at room temperature for long. In a fridge, cut onions will last up to seven days (a whole week), only if they are stored properly in a glass airtight container.
How long onions last depends on how they are stored, how old they are, and if they are whole, chopped, or cooked. Whether you keep them in your pantry or refrigerator, whole or chopped, onions lose their freshness quickly if they come in contact with any sort of moisture. If you do not have a pantry, basement, or even garage, onions are best stored in a refrigerator, where they will last for up to two weeks, or at room temperature, where they will last for around one week. Peeled onions will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, whereas diced or chopped onions will last for just 7-10 days (4).
According to USDA, whole peeled onions are good for 10-14 days when stored refrigerated, whereas diced and sliced onions generally last for 7-10 days when stored refrigerated. If stored in an airtight container, all varieties of chopped onions (half, quarter, or chopped) last for up to two weeks stored in the fridge. The shelf life of onions is longer if chopped or chopped onions are stored in an airtight container and then placed in the fridge.
Once onions are peeled or chopped any way, they are best stored in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator. Once they are chopped, onions can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7 days. Whole onions stored in a cool, dry freezer can generally last for up to 3 months.
| Types | Fridge | Freezer |
| Peeled | 7 days | 3 months |
| Cut | 10 days | 3-6 months |
Whole onions typically last for up to six weeks if stored on the counter, but they can last for up to two months if stored in a fridge. Onions last about 1 -2 months if stored as one whole bulb in the refrigerator compartment. Whole onions, which still have peelings, last several weeks when kept in a cool, dry place, like your fridge drawer.
If you cannot make it to last, whole raw onions need to be kept in a refrigerator to maximize shelf life. Whole raw onions will last for up to 2 months in a refrigerator. That is, if you do not have room for a refrigerator, and keeping onions at room temperature is the only option, whole, raw onions will last for two to four weeks at room temperature.
Chopped onions have even shorter shelf lives, remaining in your refrigerator for around 1 week before quality starts to decline. Keeping chopped onions in the freezer may increase their life span to 5-8 months, but it will eventually turn soft and soggy when it is time for them to thaw. Onions will also last for at least two or three months in the refrigerator — just keep in mind their texture can become slightly soft in the refrigerator since onions soak up moisture quite readily.
If you’re interested in How Much Chopped Onion Equals One Onion, take a look at my other article.
When you keep cooked onions in the refrigerator, once you put them into a proper container, they will stay good for three to five days. As discussed earlier, the storage of cooked onions is essential for keeping them cool and available for use up to three to five days. However, it is critical to put the cooked onions into an airtight container, or, if that is not available, in a sealable bag, immediately, several hours after cooking.
If your onion has been sliced, you will want to make sure that it is sealed inside of a sealed container or zip-lock food-storage bag so it is kept separate from the rest of your foods in your fridge. For a half-sliced onion, store in a plastic food storage bag, an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap. The best way to store a cut onion is by placing it into an airtight container and keeping it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
A plastic container that you can seal is best to keep onions nice and fresh, but if you cannot find a container, wrapping your chopped onions tightly with plastic wrap or foil works well. Like the Half Onion Storage Guide, chopped onions only need to be placed in the refrigerator; but unlike half onions, these would be hard to store wrapped in plastic. Onions can also be stored in the freezer, and the best way to store them is by first peeling the top layer, and then cutting or cutting onions, then placing in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. When choosing onions, look for ones that are solid, without soft spots, and completely covered by their skin, which should look papery and dry. Do not pick onions with mold, discoloration, bruises, cuts, or any strange odors. Spring onions contain more moisture than other onions as well, so the best way to store them is in a sealable plastic ziploc bag inside your fridges vegetables section.
If you’re interested in How long can brown sugar be stored, take a look at my other article.
Like white and yellow onions, red onions will last for about 30 to 60 days when stored in your refrigerator. Frozen onions may keep for up to eight months, but expect to lose crunchiness and their distinctive flavors if you store them that way too long. If you keep onions at room temperature (like the pantry), they will last around 2 or perhaps 3 weeks during warmer months, and around one month during cooler months. Freezing onions really helps them last much longer, and is a good way to save them for cooking favorite dishes.
It is also critical that you store your uncut onions in a mesh bag or an open basket instead of plastic bags, as plastic bags lack proper ventilation, which helps onions last longer. Summary Whole onions are best stored in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated room, whereas peeled, cut, cooked, and pickled onions may be kept in a refrigerator. Of course, you can buy pre-cut onions at local supermarkets or grocers, but you will want to be sure to immediately store them in the refrigerator, discarding them once they expire. How long onions keep fresh will vary depending on a few factors like if they are peeled or not, whole or chopped, raw or cooked, etc. Whole, unpeeled onions typically last for up to two months if properly stored.
Can an onion last a month in the fridge?
Whole raw onions can be kept in the refrigerator for two to three months. Onions should not be stored in plastic bags since the lack of air movement can shorten their shelf life. Instead, store onions in a loosely covered paper, mesh bag, or basket to allow air circulation.
How do you keep cut onions from smelling in the fridge?
An onion that has been cut in half or thinly sliced can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. To reduce oxidation, moisture absorption, and stinkiness, store them in an airtight container or plastic bag. But make sure to utilise it within a week.
Should I store chopped onions in water?
We put sliced onions in zipper-lock bags and submerged them in water for two days before comparing their smell and taste to freshly sliced onions. Everyone agreed that the onions in the water had the strongest flavour and the most offensive smell but for a week you can’t store in water. If you have extra simply just slice or chop and put in refrigerator.