by Amanda "middle of nowhere" C.
Member since:
July 25, 2006

Keeping Onions Fresh: Any Ideas?

May 17, 2008 04:38 PM EDT
views: 180 | comments: 25
I know most vegetables can be frozen with little work. What about onions? Videlias are in season now and I love them...plus the onions are very cheap right now...cheap like 40 cents a pound.

Like everyone else on gather, I'm trying to stretch my food dollars as far as possible. It seems like an elderly women once told me that you could keep onions by tying them in a panty hose and then hanging them in a cold place, like an unfinished basement. Am I dreaming this or does anyone else know if it works?

As for freezing, will these onions lose their sweet flavor when froen? And can I simply chop or slice them, put them in the Zip-lock back and throw them in the freezer? Do I need to do anything else?

Please help me, experienced cooks...
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Comments: 25

Vivian P. May 17, 2008, 4:42pm EDT
you can freeze chopped onions I do it all the time
j - Frugal Mom - r. May 17, 2008, 4:44pm EDT
Wow, that is just awesome! Amanda thank you for asking, and Vivian thank you for making me smarter. I didn't know this. My local store has onions on sale dirt cheap this week, but even though I put my onions in the fridge, they still don't last long. I will definitely have to buy a couple of extra bags and freeze them.

Thanks again!
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 17, 2008, 4:53pm EDT
Thank you so much. I suppose then I can have videlias all year. Vivian... at the risk of sounding really stupid, can you freeze slices as well? I'd like to be able to pull them out and thaw them for onion rings.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) May 17, 2008, 5:02pm EDT
Onions will freeze very easily. I always save what I freeze for soups, casaroles and any other baking dishes I do. They also tatse great on the grill.
Marianne R. May 17, 2008, 5:22pm EDT
I have no idea, but it looks like other people do.

PS: DVRed programs count towards ratings as long as they're viewed within 24 hours.
You can freeze chopped onions for sure. Sliced....I don't know how they would hold up, since you would want to batter & fry them.
Ellie !. May 17, 2008, 6:18pm EDT
I just bought a bag at Costco today...I wonder about those bags that are supposed to preserve freshness...I think I'll go put some in one.
They freeze wonderfully chopped but I doubt sliced ones would. The pantyhose thing is something I've heard as well, but can't give an opinion on.
J R B. May 17, 2008, 6:43pm EDT
I chop some, grate some, slice some, place them in sandwich bags in the freezer.
JoAnn C. May 17, 2008, 6:50pm EDT
I see you got your question answered about freezing. I have seen plastic containers to onions cut in half in. I don't know how well they work since I don't buy onions.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 17, 2008, 7:04pm EDT
You guys have been a great help!
☃ Aunt Shanny May 17, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
What Viv said. And I always make sure to use a good freezer bag and date it :)
Randall C. May 17, 2008, 7:23pm EDT
When I had a garden, I would pick them, and leave the dirt on them, then tie them in groups of four, with a small string, and hang them from my shed. They kept all winter
Randall C. May 17, 2008, 7:25pm EDT
Maybe that won't do you any good though. fresh onions don't have any dirt. So I would go with the bags
Larry H. May 17, 2008, 8:22pm EDT
Have not a clue, thanks for sharing
Dagmara H. May 17, 2008, 9:23pm EDT
I know you can freeze onions, or when you need only half I put another half to the back and put it to the refrigerator and it last pretty long.
Risa G. May 17, 2008, 10:36pm EDT
Yes, you can freeze them. Chop them, slice them, whatever. They freeze quite well. I've done that before. I used to drive down to GA all the time during Vidalia season, buy a 20 lb bag and drag it all the way home to NY (at the time). I would cut up at least half of them and freeze them. I also wrapped some in newspaper and put them in the basement where they lasted quite awhile too. Just keep them in a cool place. They will go rotten in a warm area.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 17, 2008, 11:57pm EDT
Thanks so much everyone. Risa, this is exactly why I want to save them. The vidalias are here for such a short time!
Wilma D. May 18, 2008, 12:17am EDT
And don't put whole ones in the fridge because they'll sprout.
Christine Zibas May 18, 2008, 1:38am EDT
What an interesting article. I am so wasteful. I never use as much as a recipe requires for onions and always end up throwing them out. Sounds like they will work fine in the freezer. Not only is it frugal, it prevents waste (and repurchasing another onion).
donna h. May 18, 2008, 10:30am EDT
I wish they were 40 cents a pound by me
Curt L. May 18, 2008, 2:00pm EDT
A great article with lots of good comments! Thank you, Amanda!
Jane C. May 21, 2008, 12:08pm EDT
You can also dehydrate them, very useful in soups and crockpot dishes as well as dips and sauces!
Sandra T. May 23, 2008, 1:46pm EDT
I didn't have a clue Amanda, so I came to read what everyone else said! Now I know to freeze onions! I'll wait for them to get cheap and them get some to freeze! Thanks everyone for the tips!
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 23, 2008, 6:31pm EDT
I have bought plenty of vidalias and now have them in Ziploc bags, some onions sliced and some onions diced. Thanks everyone for your opinion!

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