Green onions are a staple in many kitchens around the world, but they can be tricky to keep fresh and flavorful. You can buy them fresh or dried, but if you don’t have access to either of those options, there are still ways to store green onions in your fridge.
To start, you’ll need a container with a lid that seals well. If you don’t have one already, try using an old yogurt cup or even a plastic baggie. Then fill it with water until it covers the bottom third of the container and put your green onion inside on top of that layer of water. Put the lid on tightly and place this container in your refrigerator.
Green onions have a surprisingly long shelf life if you store them correctly. To keep green onions fresh as long as possible, you should place them in a plastic bag and put them in the crisper of your refrigerator. The crisper is the part of the fridge that’s designed to keep vegetables and fruits crisp for longer periods of time. You should also make sure not to wash green onions until you’re ready to use them. If you do wash your green onions before storing them, put them in water right away so they don’t dry out.
Green onions, sometimes called scallions or bunching onions, are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. They can be used raw in salads or cooked in soups, stews, and stir-fries. Because they last longer than other types of onions, green onions are often used in dishes that require long cooking times. If you find yourself with an abundance of green onions and don’t have time to use them before they go bad, it’s possible to store them for several days at room temperature or for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. To keep your green onions fresh for this length of time, place them inside a plastic bag before placing them in the refrigerator.
One of the most common ways to store green onions is in the refrigerator, where they can last up to 2 weeks. To refrigerate, first, wash and dry your scallions thoroughly. Then, cut off their roots and place them in a glass of water. Store this glass in the refrigerator so that the green onions have access to cool water at all times. If possible, cover your glass with a plastic bag before storing it in the fridge to help keep out moisture. Alternatively, wrap your scallions tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them directly into the fridge without water.
Make sure the onions are dry.
- Make sure the onions are dry.
- Place the green onion bulbs in a colander, and rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or soil. Let the water drain and pat dry with paper towels; this will ensure that there’s no moisture left on the onions that could cause molding later on.
- Place them in a plastic bag: As with other vegetables, it’s important to store onions in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag so that they don’t become dehydrated or develop mold. Snip off any roots at either end of your green onion stalks before placing them into a ziplock bag and sealing tightly shut with minimal air inside.”
Wrap the onions in paper towels.
Wrap the onions in paper towels. Place the wrapped onions in a plastic bag and seal it shut. Store them in the refrigerator vegetable bin. Do not store green onions in plastic wrap, as this will cause them to sweat and become limp or soggy. You can also store green onions upright, as long as you don’t let them sit for too long (they will end up with discoloration).
Paper towels are much better than newspaper because newspaper is an absorbent material that will wick moisture away from your greens and leave them dry and wilted.
Place them in a plastic bag.
Plastic bags are the ideal storage solution for green onions. They’re airtight, moisture-proof, lightproof, and odor-proof — all of which make for a great place to store your green onion stash. Plus, they’re cheap and easy to find in any grocery store or supermarket. There are also reusable versions of these bags that you can buy online if you want an even greener option (I recommend them).
Unfortunately, plastic is not a very sustainable choice because it takes thousands of years for it to decompose in landfills (and sometimes even longer if incinerated). But if you don’t mind buying disposable products every once in awhile when necessary then this one isn’t so bad because it’s pretty hardy.
Clip the bottom of the bag shut.
Next, you’ll want to clip the bottom of the bag shut. You can use a clothespin or a bag clip, but whatever you use must be clean and dry. If you are using a clothespin, make sure it doesn’t touch any part of your onions (or vice versa). The same goes for the bag clip—make sure it doesn’t come into contact with your fresh green onions.
Once you have clipped or pinned closed the top of your green onions container, place the container in your refrigerator vegetable crisper drawer and store there at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Store the bag in your vegetable crisper drawer.
Place the onion bag in your crisper drawer, which is the best place to store green onions. The crisper drawer is a cool, dry area that’s ideal for storing vegetables, fruits, and meat.
Use this same method with any other types of herbs you have on hand. You can also try different methods with different types of herbs to see what works best for you.
By storing green onions in the refrigerator, they will last up to two weeks
If you want to store green onions for longer than a few days, keep them in the vegetable crisper drawer of your refrigerator. You can also store them in a plastic bag or paper towel inside the crisper drawer if you don’t have room for it to breathe in there.
If you are storing green onions on the countertop or anywhere else where there is good air circulation and it won’t be too hot or cold, that’s fine too. Just make sure that you keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out or become damaged from being exposed to heat/cold for too long.