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

Onions are a healthy vegetable that is used in a wide variety of dishes. It's convenient to have it close at hand, but can onions be kept in the refrigerator and for how long?

Let's take a closer look at how and how much to store onions (including peeled ones) in the refrigerator, is it possible on the bottom shelf to keep it fresh.

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.

In the refrigerator, the average temperature is from + 1 ° C to + 3 ° C. This is an optimal storage indicator, allowing you to keep the onion without sprouting, and even keep it peeled.

But there are also some downsides. using the refrigerator as a storage for vegetables:

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

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

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

You will find a lot of useful and important information about onion storage here.

Preparation for storage of onions

Onions in the refrigerator can be stored in several ways, taking into account the condition of the product, its type and volume. Better than others, a vegetable that was harvested on time and dried with high quality is preserved.

During the harvesting process, the roots should not be damaged, as should the bulbs themselves. It is most convenient to dry onions outdoors, avoiding sunlight. Another option is to tie and hang it in bunches.

After drying, the vegetable must be completely dry, including the top... Otherwise, the vegetable cannot be stored for a long time.

Immediately before storage, the entire volume of vegetables is sorted out, rejecting the damaged ones. Dried tops and roots are pruned.

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

All possible options

The duration of its keeping in the refrigerator and the necessary packaging largely depend on the form in which the onion is sent for storage.

Crude

Unpeeled prepared onions in the refrigerator can be sent to the vegetable compartment. A container for eggs is suitable as a container... Each bulb will be in it separately.

Purified

If after cooking there is already peeled onion, you can store it in the refrigerator. For this:

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

The maximum shelf life under such conditions is up to 20 days. You can learn more about how to store peeled onions. here.

Cut

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

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

1. The slice is smeared with sunflower oil and put in 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 rest of the onion is wrapped in foil. The product can be stored in this form no more than 4-5 days.
3. A layer of salt is poured into the container. On it, cut down, put an onion. Storage - no more than a week.

Fried

Stir-fried vegetable - can be stored for a long time only in one case - when it is frozen:

1. The vegetable is cut.
2. Fried in vegetable oil.
3. Cool down.
4. Placed in containers or plastic bags.
5. Placed in a freezer.

When using such a blank, you can not defrost it in advance, but immediately send it to the prepared dish, for example, to soup.

Marinated

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

Procedure:

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

In ½ hour the product can be ready for use. Additional originality will be given to the dishes by light frying before serving. The pickled product is stored - up to six months.

How to pickle onions for the winter, the video will tell you:

Vegetable freezing rules

The vegetable can be frozen in various versions:

• entirely;
• sliced;
• already cooked.

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

• provide compact storage;
• defrost in the future as much food as necessary at one time.

Procedure:

1. Wash and peel the onions.
2. Chop finely.
3. Put immediately in 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 preserved.

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

How to freeze onions for the winter, video recipe:

Storing the green onion

Green onions are more difficult to store than onions. Greens are more demanding on the conditions of detention, and can quickly disappear.

In fridge it is possible to save it in several ways:

• in craft 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 the wilting.

You can learn about storing green onions in the refrigerator here, about ways to save it for the winter - here.

Leek

Small amounts of leeks can be kept in the refrigerator. The vegetable compartment is best suited for this.

When placed in it cut off excess leaves, and distribute it in polyethylene bags, 6-8 pieces in one... Cellophane allows you to maintain the required moisture level. Temperature suitable for storage is up to + 5 ° С.

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

Sevok

In an apartment keep sevok best in the refrigerator. Before being placed in the cold, it is warmed up for half a month. And before landing, you also need warming up.

Necessary storage conditions:

• low humidity;
• the temperature is cool.

10 recommendations

Good quality refrigerated onion storage can be obtained subject to the technology and taking into account the following tips:

1. If the storage conditions do not specify washing the onions, this should not be done.
2. In addition to fresh storage, leeks, chives and onions can be stored in the form of pickles and pickles.
3. For a large harvest, storage in the refrigerator is not suitable due to the lack of space.
4. Excessive humidity can provoke decay of a vegetable and the appearance of mold.
5. For freezing, the vegetable can be cut into rings, half rings, squares.
6. Do not store the dried vegetable in the refrigerator.
7. Very small substandard onions can be pickled whole without chopping.
8. Violation of the growing conditions for vegetables (high humidity, excess fertilizers, etc.) can shorten the shelf life.
9. White onions are seasonal and are best consumed fresh. It is stored worse than other varieties.
10. Before storage, the dry top of the vegetable is cut off, leaving only a small part - it will prevent rotting.

Conclusion

The refrigerator allows you to extend the shelf life of onions, even if they are damaged and not in condition - by freezing and pickling. Depending on the variety and condition of the vegetable, the optimal storage option is selected, which allows you to have a healthy vegetable on the table all year round.