What happens when you keep onions in the pantry for a long duration?
And how can you tell if you’ve got a rotting onion?
How long do onions last in the pantry?
Onions aren’t as fragile as tea, but they still degrade over time.
They’ll start to lose their crunch after about six weeks, and their flavors will become milder after two months.
It’s important to note that onions don’t last forever—they can rot away quickly if not stored properly.
That said, they can last for a while in a well-stocked kitchen cupboard.
How should onions be stored?
There are a couple of ways to store onions without ruining them.
First off, never leave any raw onions out at room temperature for longer than 24 hours.
This causes bacteria to grow, leading to rotten, stinky onions.
To avoid this, put your onions in the refrigerator immediately—or, preferably, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the freezer until you need them.
How long do onions last in the pantry?
Once they’re frozen, you can thaw them out in the microwave or by running hot water over them.
Another way to prevent onions from going bad is to cover them with a paper towel before placing them in the fridge.
Doing so inhibits moisture loss, which helps prolong their shelf life.
What is the shelf life of onions?
An onion can last up to two months in the fridge, depending on how much you use it.
If you’re planning to make a large batch of soup or stew, you might want to freeze some of it right away so you can enjoy it later.
Otherwise, just let it sit in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it.
What causes onions to go bad?
Like tea, onions decay over time.
When you cook with them, the heat breaks down the sugars in the onion, causing the onion to soften and develop a sweet, mushy texture.
Over time, this process continues, resulting in a soft, mushy onion that’s difficult to chew.
You can slow down the process by keeping your onions refrigerated.
This keeps the enzymes responsible for breaking down the sugars from working too hard.
You can also keep your onions covered with a paper towel to minimize exposure to light and air, which speeds up the rate at which they decompose.
How can you extend the shelf life of onions?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to extend the shelf life of onions.
You can try freezing them, but that doesn’t help much.
You can also try adding vinegar or lemon juice to the mix, but these techniques won’t work very well.
Instead, the best way to extend the shelf life of onions is to cut them into smaller pieces.
Smaller chunks break down faster, which means you can get more bang for your buck.
Plus, smaller bits are easier to eat.
What are some signs that an onion has gone bad?
Onion odor is the most obvious sign that an onion has gone bad.
But other signs include wilted leaves, discoloration, and mushy, slimy spots.
These are all indicators that the onion has begun to spoil.
If you notice any of these things, throw it out.
Can onions be stored in the fridge?
Yes, onions can be kept in the fridge, but you need to take extra precautions to protect them from getting contaminated by bacteria or fungi.
First, clean your fridge thoroughly.
Then, wash your hands before handling the onions.
After that, dry your hands completely, then rub them together to remove any dirt.
Put the onions in a bowl, then cover them with a damp paper towel and place them in the fridge.
Keep doing this every day until you’re ready to use them.
What are some signs that an onion has gone bad?
As mentioned above, there are many signs that an onion has gone bad.
Some examples include:
A foul odor
Discolored spots
Wilting leaves
Mushy, slimy spots
These are all signs that the onion has spoiled, so discard it immediately.
Make easy microwave onions
Equipment
- 1 microwave
Ingredients
- 1 tb onion
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Place the onion, chopped or cut into slices, along with the onion rings, in a microwave-safe container first.
- Be sure to properly cover the onion chunks in the butter and oil before adding them.
- Cover the dish and cook it in the microwave for 2 minutes at practically full power, stirring every 2 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Depending on how darkly golden-brown and brown you want your onions to be, cook for a further 8 minutes. You will start to notice that your onions are thoroughly cooked after a few minutes.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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