Sometimes you just need to cook with half an onion and are at a loss as to what to do with the rest. Fortunately, you can store chopped onions, but they must be stored differently than whole onions. Without the outer skin intact, chopped onions are susceptible to bacteria and fungi. To use leftover chopped onions, you need to prepare them properly, choose a suitable container, and store them at the right temperature. With a little preparation, leftover onions can be reprocessed in time.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Putting Leftover Onions in the Fridge
Step 1. Keep the onions clean before storing
Reduce exposure to harmful bacteria by preventing cross-contamination with raw meat and dairy products. Use a different cutting board for meat and produce. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat and make sure the knife is clean.
- If there is enough space, prepare a special place to process produce and meat separately so that bacteria do not spread during cooking.
- Avoiding cross-contamination is very important especially when preparing food for storage because food storage will allow the process of bacterial growth to occur.
Step 2. Wrap the large onion in plastic
If the onion is halfway or there are several large chunks, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will protect the onions from outside air and help retain moisture.
Step 3. Put the smaller pieces of onion in an airtight bag
If the onions are smaller, use a bag with a lid to store them. Never use cloth bags as they are made to store whole produce and will not protect chopped onions from exposure to air.
Step 4. Use reusable containers if available
You can buy airtight plastic containers for food at the grocery store. This kind of container is perfect for storing chopped onions.
There are also new products made from silicone that can stretch and cover the exposed parts of the crop. Be careful when using it for leftover onions. This thing can't cover the whole onion so it can make the refrigerator smell
Step 5. Place the onions in the refrigerator at or below 4 °C
Leftover chopped onions should always be stored in the refrigerator-not at room temperature. Storing it at a low temperature will inhibit the growth of bacteria so it is safe for reuse later.
Ignore storage recommendations that say chopped onions can be stored at room temperature. Some general tips include storing onions in a bowl of water on the table. All of these methods will only stimulate the growth of bacteria
Step 6. Use or discard chopped onions for at least 7-10 days
Process the leftover onions in the refrigerator as soon as possible. However, do not use it again if it has been stored for more than 10 days.
Keep all chopped onions by the same deadline, regardless of variety. While you may find different storage suggestions for other onion varieties-such as onions, white, red, pearl, or Vidalia-these suggestions are only relevant for whole onions, not chopped ones
Step 7. Check if leftover onions are fresh enough to reuse after storage
Discard any onions that look cloudy, sticky, slimy, or moldy. Sniff the onion to make sure it doesn't have an odd smell, and if it gives off a strong or unusual smell, throw it away.
Step 8. Cook the stored onions
Never serve onions that have been stored raw. Onions should be cooked beforehand as the heat can kill any bacteria that may have grown during storage.
Method 2 of 2: Freezing Leftover Onions for Longer Storage
Step 1. Slice the onion into small pieces
Large pieces-such as halves or chunks-don't freeze well. To freeze them effectively you'll need to slice the remaining onions into small, square-shaped pieces about 0.5 cm in size.
Smaller onions will freeze more evenly. While larger chunks are often frozen (freezer burned)
Step 2. Place the chopped onions in a freezer-safe container
You can use a special sealed bag for the refrigerator. Alternatively, use a freezer-safe glass or plastic container. Regardless of the type of container you use, make sure the onions are spread out as thinly as possible. The thinner the spread, the easier it will be to re-thaw before use.
Step 3. Write the date the onion was chopped on the container
Write the date directly on the container, on the label, or on a piece of paper. After that, glue it to the container.
It's easy to forget things that are stored in the freezer. By writing the date on the onion container, you will keep track of when it will be stored
Step 4. Store onions in the freezer for a maximum of 6-8 months
Even if the onions are frozen, they won't last forever. Check the date before use to make sure the onions haven't been stored for more than 8 months.
Step 5. Use frozen onions for a soft textured serving
Frozen onions will become soft and sometimes a bit sweet when cooked. Use frozen onions for stews, soups, casseroles, and other dishes where the onion is soft and doesn't show up too much.
Step 6. Put the frozen onions directly into the pot or pan while cooking
There is no need to thaw frozen onions before cooking. In fact, defrosting onions before cooking will make them juicier. If you're only using partially frozen onions, but they're all frozen together, run warm water over the bowl until you can separate the onions you want to cook as needed.
Tips
- Choose onions that are in good condition so that they last longer when stored. Do not use onions that are spotted or benyai.
- Treat all chopped onions the same way, regardless of variety.
Warning
- Distinguish between storage suggestions for whole and chopped onions.
- Follow the directions on the package if you are buying chopped onions. Chances are the onion was chopped a long time ago and won't last as long as a freshly chopped onion.
