An important question: is it possible and how to properly store onions in the refrigerator?

It is impossible to imagine a kitchen without onions. Hence it is grown everywhere and in large quantities. Growing a vegetable is not enough. It is much more difficult to understand how to store onions at home. The owners of private houses and car garages with cold cellars and storage rooms are lucky. What about apartment residents? I offer some recommendations for storing onions in an apartment. First you need to clarify some questions.

1. Preparing onions for storage
2. Onion varieties suitable for storage
3. Ideal conditions for storing onions
4. Places in the apartment for storing onions
5. Onion storage container
6. Onion sets: storage
7. Rules for storing onions
8. Onion diseases during storage

Photo: Onions are an indispensable assistant to any housewife.

Is it allowed and how much?

Onions in the kitchen can be at room temperature and low humidity , but such conditions are favorable for germination.

The temperature in the refrigerator is on average from +1°C to +3°C. This is the optimal indicator for storage, allowing you to keep onions without sprouting, and even keep them in a peeled state.

But there are also some disadvantages to using a refrigerator as a storage area for vegetables:

• short shelf life;
• it will not be possible to place large volumes;
• If storage is carried out without packaging, then the specific smell will permeate all the products.

In the vegetable compartment, onions are best preserved wrapped in a bag or placed in a plastic container.

The need to put onions in the refrigerator may arise when, after preparing a dish, there is excess product left, in some cases even already peeled and chopped.

You will find a lot of useful and important information about storing onions here.

Preparing to store onions

Onions can be stored in the refrigerator in several ways, taking into account the condition of the product, its type and the volume occupied. Vegetables that were collected on time and dried well are preserved better than others.

During the harvesting process, the roots should not be damaged, nor the bulbs themselves. It is most convenient to dry the onions in the open air, avoiding exposure to sunlight. Another option is to tie it and hang it in bunches.

After drying, the vegetable should be completely dry, including the top . Otherwise, the vegetable will not be able to be stored for long.

Immediately before storing, the entire volume of vegetables is sorted out, discarding damaged ones. Dried tops and roots are trimmed.

Read about storing onions in a cellar or basement here, at home in winter - here.

Difficulties and ways to eliminate them

There are several reasons why onions in an apartment can spoil:

1. Re-sorting of vegetables . If there are different varieties in one box, then it will not be possible to avoid rot. This is why it is so important to carefully sort through the crop immediately after harvesting.

2. 
   Damage to vegetables . They must be stored carefully, avoiding injury to the heads.

3. Rotting of one or more specimens . If you don’t sort the bulbs at least once a month, you can lose most of the harvest.
4. Removing the husks before storing . Scales should not be removed from the bulbs. They protect vegetables from spoilage.
5. Root germination . To avoid this problem, you need to treat them with lime or cauterize them.
6. Bulb rotting due to dampness . If the humidity level in the room is high, then next to the boxes you need to place a bucket of sawdust or wood ash.

Read more about why onions rot during storage and how to avoid it in this article.

All possible options

The duration of its storage in the refrigerator and the necessary packaging largely depend on the form in which the onions are sent for storage.

Crude

Unpeeled prepared onions can be placed in the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator. An egg container is suitable as a container . Each bulb will be located separately in it.

Purified

If there are already peeled onions left after cooking, you can store them in the refrigerator. For this:

1. The vegetable is washed.
2. Place in a glass jar or plastic container.
3. Add cold water.
4. Change the water every couple of days.

The maximum storage period under such conditions is up to 20 days. More information about ways to store peeled onions can be found here.

Cut

Peeled and chopped onions are more difficult to preserve than whole ones. There are several ways to cope with the problem.

If half or a segment is cut off from the bulb, then the following options will help:

1. The cut is greased with sunflower oil and placed on this side in a container. It is better to cover the top with a lid. Without a lid, the storage time is a day, with a lid – several days.
2. The remaining part of the onion is wrapped in film. The product can be stored in this form for no more than 4-5 days.
3. A layer of salt is poured into the container. Place the onion on it, cut side down. Storage - no more than a week.

Fried

Fried vegetables can be stored for a long time only in one case - when they are frozen :

1. The vegetable is cut.
2. Fry in vegetable oil.
3. Cool.
4. Place in containers or plastic bags.
5. Place in the freezer.

When using such a preparation, you don’t have to defrost it in advance, but immediately add it to the dish you are preparing, for example, soup.

Marinated

Pickled onions are an original addition to salads, cooked potatoes, pork and other dishes.

Procedure:

1. Wash and peel the onions (3 pcs.).
2. Cut into half rings.
3. Mix the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl (sugar - 3 tbsp, salt - ½ tbsp, vinegar - 7 tbsp, boiled water - 0.25 l).
4. Stir the marinade until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
5. Place onions in a glass jar.
6. Pour over the marinade.
7. Place in the refrigerator.

After just ½ hour the product can be ready for use. Lightly frying it before serving will add additional originality to the dish. The pickled product can be stored for up to six months.

When to harvest

How well the onions will be stored primarily depends on the right moment for harvesting.

It is believed that the optimal time for digging onions is from early August to early September. Naturally, the exact period depends on the climatic conditions of the region and whether the summer was dry or rainy. It is not difficult to determine whether a vegetable is ripe: its husk will easily come away from the bulb, and the feathers will dry out and turn yellow.

It is necessary to harvest on a dry day so that rain does not damage the plant. Try to select for long-term storage those specimens that do not have any damage, stains or traces of insects on their surface.

The vegetable must be ripe, otherwise it will quickly deteriorate during storage. An overripe plant should not be used for long-term storage: it begins to sprout roots and new green shoots within a month or two, which means it will become unsuitable for cooking.

Experienced gardeners know that late-ripening varieties are best stored. And early and sweet ones, such as the Yalta variety, are not very suitable for storing for the winter.

The new crop should be stored in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight. If the humidity is too high, the bulbs will quickly begin to rot.

You can also grow this plant for the next season using nigella - onion seeds. They are black in color, which is why they got their name. It is necessary to wait until the plant is completely ripe, and then cut off the inflorescences and leave them to dry. It is better to store arrows with seeds in a dry place: this way they will be easily separated.

Read more about methods of growing onions in our article.

Rules for freezing vegetables

Vegetables can be frozen in various ways:

• entirely;
• sliced;
• already cooked.

The best option is to cut the vegetable in advance before freezing. This will allow:

• ensure compact storage;
• defrost in the future as much product as needed at one time.

Procedure:

1. Wash and peel the onion.
2. Chop finely.
3. Place immediately into small containers, or, alternatively, freeze in one layer in a wide flat container, and then pour into a bag or container.

A properly frozen vegetable can be stored in the freezer until the next harvest. During storage, a significant part of the nutrients is retained.

The main requirement is not to re-freeze the thawed onion . And do not allow even partial defrosting of the workpiece, which must lie for a long time.

How to freeze onions for the winter, video recipe:

Storing green onions

Green onions are more difficult to preserve than onions. Greens are more demanding on maintenance conditions and can quickly disappear.

in the refrigerator :

• in kraft paper – up to 3 weeks;
• in a cellophane bag – up to 1.5 months;
• in glass containers – no more than a month;
• with a damp cloth in cellophane - up to a month.

When sending green onions for storage, you must ensure that the leaves do not wrinkle or bend, as this will accelerate wilting.

You can learn about storing green onions in the refrigerator here, and ways to preserve them for the winter here.

Varieties suitable for long-term storage

The keeping quality of onions depends on the period of physiological dormancy of a particular variety: the longer it is, the “hardier” the vegetables are. Varieties with dense bulbs and a sharp taste are suitable for long-term storage:

• 'Bessonovsky';
• 'Arzamas';
• 'Spassky';
• 'Strigunovsky';
• 'Rostov onion'.

Semi-sweet varieties are stored indoors until February. Among them the most famous are:

• 'Belozersky';
• 'Krasnodar';
• 'Danilovsky';
• 'Samarkand';
• 'Mechkovsky';
• 'Markovsky'.

Leek

A small amount of leek can be stored in the refrigerator. The compartment intended for vegetables is best suited for this.

When placed in it , excess leaves are cut off and distributed into polyethylene bags of 6-8 pieces per bag . Cellophane allows you to maintain the required level of humidity. Temperature suitable for storage is up to +5°C.

If you are interested in how to store leeks in a cellar or basement, read this article. Read about ways to store leeks in winter here.

Recommendations for storage in the basement

Experienced gardeners know that the best place for long-term storage of crops is in the basement. To ensure that your harvest pleases you for as long as possible, prepare wooden boxes in advance. The boards must be dry, free from mold and insects. It is also necessary to leave a certain distance between the boards for air circulation.

Onions can be placed in boxes in layers, but not more than 30 centimeters in height.

If the floor in your basement is earthen, then the boxes should be placed on boards or special pallets, and not directly on the ground, so that the crop does not absorb excess moisture.

If you don't want to use crates or boxes, you can hang onions from the ceiling: onion braids or small bags are ideal for this.

Is it possible to store peeled onions?

It is better to store the bulbs in their husks without damaging them in any way . However, it happens that after cooking there are several unused heads left. The peeled vegetable has a much shorter shelf life, but can be extended by using an airtight container or processing.

How to properly prepare peeled onions for storage

Pre- peeled vegetables should be washed thoroughly and make sure that there are no spoiled ones among them.

Note! Do not leave peeled or chopped onions at room temperature overnight. During this time, the vegetable will deteriorate and become unfit for consumption.

If you know in advance that you will only need half of the onion for cooking, do not peel the other half. But it should also be processed before placing it in the refrigerator .

Important! Do not store onions near potatoes. They will pick up moisture and quickly deteriorate.

Which onion stores best?

Numerous varieties of onions differ from each other in different criteria, including keeping quality, that is, suitability for long-term storage. Therefore, when choosing a suitable variety for themselves, experienced summer residents always take this technical characteristic into account and, in addition to high-yielding varieties that have the desired taste (spiciness or, on the contrary, sweetness), they are sure to plant those that can then be preserved until spring without any problems.

In addition, you need to know that some onion varieties with high frost resistance can be planted in winter to obtain an earlier harvest, while others are suitable only for spring planting. At the same time, winter, as well as early-ripening and mid-ripening varieties, as a general rule, should be consumed immediately after harvesting, and the latest onions should be left for harvesting.

From the point of view of beneficial properties, it is the most valuable, since during ripening it manages to accumulate the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals and other biologically active substances necessary for our body. And one more important rule: bulbs grown not from seeds, but from so-called sets - small heads with a diameter of 15-30 mm - are better suited for storage.

When choosing a variety of onions to stock up on for the winter, you should pay attention to the following options:

Methods for storing peeled onions

Depending on the condition of the onion and how long you need to keep it fresh, there are different storage methods .

In a refrigerator

The simplest and fastest methods , since after them the vegetable does not need to be defrosted or cooked:

1. Rinse the peeled onions under running water at room temperature. Place in a container with cold water. Store the container in the refrigerator, replacing the water with fresh water at least once every two days. In this state, onions can be stored for up to two weeks.
2. Pour salt onto a flat plate and place the cut side of the onion on it, then place the bowl with the onion in the refrigerator. This way you can keep it fresh for 6-7 days.
3. Wrap tightly in cling film and place in the refrigerator. This way you will extend the shelf life by another 3-4 days.
4. Cut the onion into rings and marinate. To do this, place the chopped vegetables in sterilized jars and pour boiling water for 7-10 minutes. While they are standing, prepare the marinade: mix 1 tbsp. l. salt and sugar per 0.5 kg of vegetable, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and keep on fire for 3 minutes. For taste, add cloves or black pepper to the marinade. Pour the hot mixture over the vegetables and roll up.
5. The same marinade can be used for short-term storage. Pour the marinade into the bottom of the container, place the chopped onions on top and close the lid tightly. In this state it will be edible for another month.
6. If the onion heads are small, you can not chop them, but marinate them whole. Before rolling, pour boiling water over them first and then cold water. Add acetic acid to the marinade.

If the jars have been sterilized, you can store the twists not only in the refrigerator, but also in the cellar or basement.

In the freezer

It is better to store chopped onions in the freezer:

1. Grease the cut area with vegetable oil or fat, place the vegetable in a plastic container and place in the freezer. In this state it can be stored for up to 10 days.
2. Finely chop the onions and place them in a plastic bag so that the onion layer does not exceed 5 cm. In this case, you do not need to tie or close the bag; you should place it open in the freezer.
3. Place peeled onions, cut into rings, into silicone molds and place in the freezer. When stored this way, it can be eaten after heat treatment, since the composition changes significantly due to low temperatures.
4. Freeze already cooked onions. Most often, housewives fry the vegetable in a frying pan and place it in plastic bags, remove excess air and seal it tightly, after which they place it in the freezer. You can fry it immediately with carrots so that you always have a dressing for the soup on hand.

After removing a frozen product from the freezer, you should not put it back there, as the vegetable will lose its beneficial properties, taste and aroma. To avoid this, pack onions in small portions.

Dried

Many people choose drying to store peeled onions, because during the drying process the onion retains all its properties. This method is simpler than the previous ones, although the process of preparing vegetables for storage takes longer.

The advantages of this method are that dried vegetables will not spoil due to a breakdown of the refrigerator or freezer and take up less space.

There are several ways to dry onions:

1. In the oven, place the vegetable cut into rings on a baking sheet. The rings should be thin, no more than 5 mm thick. If the onion is large, cut the rings into 2-3 parts. Can be dried on a cooling plate.
2. In a special electric dryer. If you dry onions in it, you should set the temperature to 40-60°C; the onions dry in such conditions for 5-7 hours. Do not exceed the drying temperature so as not to overdry the vegetable, otherwise it will darken and lose its taste.
3. In the microwave, place the chopped onion in a special bowl and set the desired mode.
4. Outdoors in the sun, placing the onion rings on cloth or paper. If it is not possible to dry in direct sunlight, you can do this in a well-ventilated, dry area.

Don't forget to stir the onions regularly. Properly dried it will be white or pale mauve in color, depending on the variety. If you want the dried vegetable to have a golden yellow hue, first soak it in cold salted water (40 g of salt per 1 liter of water).

Important! During the drying process, onions emit a characteristic odor and fumes that can irritate the mucous membrane of the eyes, so ensure good ventilation of the room in which the vegetable will be dried.

If you want to speed up the process, soak the onions in hot water before cutting.

After drying, the onions can be chopped and placed in fabric or paper bags , metal or ceramic jars and stored in a dry place, where they can be stored in this condition for several years.

Peculiarities

Green

Green onions will keep in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf for 2 weeks. How to store green onions in the refrigerator for a long time? Stale feathers are removed, the roots are moistened with water (feathers cannot be wetted) and wrapped in a wet cloth along with the bulbs. On top of the rag you need to make an envelope out of paper and tie it at the level of the beginning of the feathers with a rope.

To store in the refrigerator, green feathers can also be wrapped in food paper or put onion stalks in a container of water, covering the feathers with a bag. Green feathers can be prepared for the winter by drying them in a convection oven, oven or outdoors. You can learn more about how to store green onions in the article “Storing Green Onions.”

How to store green onions in the refrigerator in this video:

Leek

How to preserve leeks for the winter? Most often, leeks are sprinkled with sand for storage. Sand is poured into the container in a 5-centimeter layer.

Onion stalks are placed on it in rows. The row spacing is covered with a 10-centimeter layer of sand. With this storage method, onions remain fresh for six months.

Less commonly, this type of onion is placed in the freezer or stored dried. The optimal temperature for leeks is 1 - 2 degrees plus, and humidity is 85 percent.

How to store leeks at home? Onions can also winter on the balcony if you make insulation around the container with it from a blanket or, for example, an old coat. Regular inspection of the crop and removal of substandard plants (withered or diseased) is necessary. Read the details in the article “Storing leeks”.

Bulb

How to preserve onions at home until spring? The rustling sound as you turn it indicates that the onions are ready for storage. Onions require a dry place. As a container for it, you can use a basket, box, bag, or store the onions on a shelf (the layer of onions should not be more than 40 cm), sprinkled with dry onion scales on top.

Onions are braided into braids and placed near the stove on the wall. Some housewives store spicy onions on the balcony. To do this, select the strongest onions, dry them and put them first in the refrigerator (in the vegetable department).

Then they put the onions in a box, cover it with a blanket or old warm outerwear (this will protect the bulbs from sudden temperature changes), and take the box out onto the balcony. The amount of onion required for cooking is defrosted in the refrigerator each time before use. Read more in the article “Storing onions.”

Sevok

How to properly store onion sets at home?

A balcony, loggia, pantry, barn are not suitable for storing seedlings (in these rooms the temperature in winter drops below +16 degrees favorable for seedlings).

Centimeter bulbs are stored at room temperature, bulbs less than 1 cm are planted in the garden in the fall, because in the warmth during the winter they dry out greatly and lose the ability to form new bulbs.

Yalta onion

What are the conditions for storing Yalta onions in winter at home?

Sweet onions, which do not cause tears, do not last long, 5 months maximum, in the refrigerator or braided.

If stored longer, the onions become crumbly and dry.

Sevok cannot be stored at temperatures from zero to +16 degrees Celsius.

Under these conditions, the bulbs quickly begin vernalization, and their generative organs are formed much earlier than expected. When such a seed is planted in the ground, it goes to waste without producing a harvest.