How to store Onions
In the freezer: 240 days
In the pantry: 60 days
Keep whole onions in a mesh bag or open basket in a cool dry pantry, 4–10°C ideally. They need airflow; sealed containers trap moisture and rot them. Never store with potatoes — both speed each other's spoilage. Once peeled or cut, refrigerate in a sealed container, away from foods that absorb odors (eggs, butter, leftovers). Green onions and chives are different — those want a damp paper towel and a sealed bag in the fridge, like leafy herbs.
How to store it
- Mesh bag or open basket in cool dry pantry
- Never with potatoes
- Cut onions: sealed container in fridge, up to a week
- Away from odor-absorbing foods
- Freeze chopped portions for cooking convenience
Signs it has gone bad
- Soft or mushy spots on the bulb
- Visible mold (white or black)
- Strong rotten or sulfurous smell beyond normal onion pungency
- Slime or wet patches on outer layers
Signs it has gone bad
How long do onions last?
Whole onions last 1–2 months in a cool dry pantry. Cut onions keep up to a week refrigerated in a sealed container.
Should you refrigerate onions?
Whole onions last longer in a cool pantry than the fridge. Only refrigerate after cutting or peeling.
Can sprouted onions be eaten?
Yes — the inner layers are fine. Remove the green shoot if you don't want a slightly bitter taste, or use it as a chive substitute.