How to Store Onions

Learn How to Store Onions to make sure your latest crop or grocery store purchase lasts as long as possible!

The cooler days of late Fall are perfect for digging up the root crops you grew in this years garden. Potatoes, onions, carrots and other root crops are all ready to be harvested.

After they are harvested, potatoes and carrots can go right into storage, provided they are dry. Onions need to be cured first and here’s where you can find out all about how to grow great onions. Here’s how to store onions so you can use them all winter long.

How to Store Onions

Harvesting Fresh Onions

We usually grow at least two long rows on red and yellow onions. This gives us enough usually to last well into late winter, maybe even a bit later. I wait to harvest our onions until the tops have fallen over and then have started to yellow.

If you like you can knock over the stems a week or two before you are ready to harvest. This will help them begin to dry so they can be pulled and cured.

I had already pulled the row of red onions when I took this picture. You can see how the tops have fallen over on the onions still in the ground.

You can also see Chickweed in the foreground. This stuff really got out of hand for a year throughout the whole garden. We spent a lot of hours pulling Chickweed to try to get rid of it.

Look at those huge onions! Graham will love having these to eat over the winter. We should end up with a couple sacks full ready to be stored away.

I grow all our onions from sets instead of from seed. Onions grown from seed take a much longer time to grow to maturity; here’s what we do to grow onions here in the Cariboo.

How to Cure Onions

There are a few ways to cure onions so they will last over the winter. You can braid them so they hang together. Lay them out on newspaper or spread them out on drying racks, place them in a basket or mesh bag, or even wrap them in pantyhose.

You can tie 10 or so together with rope and hang them in an area where they are out of the sun and weather. If you can find a spot where the breeze can get at them, all the better.

However you choose to cure them, put them in a cool, dry place. Leave them alone for a couple of weeks, even three. Check on them during that time, rotating them is a good idea.

Try and brush the garden dirt off of the bulbs. Don’t worry if there is still a bit left on there; as the onions dry, the dirt will fall off. You can give them a final brushing or wipe them off with a dry cloth before putting them into storage.

Do you wash onions after harvest?

Washing the onions after harvesting is up to you. Washing them off with a hose is a fast and easy way to get the onions clean. If you do wash them, dry them in the open air. By curing, your onions will dry over time, whether you washed them off or not. Curing allows the vegetable to dry naturally.

 

Large red onions curing on newspaper. I leave room between them so they cure faster. The onions will pull whatever moisture they can from the green leaves. As the leaves start to dry, they turn yellow.

Small onions and bigger onions set to cure on newspapers. After a couple of weeks, the tops will have dried and the onions should be cured and ready to be stored.

How to Store Onions

At that point, I will cut off the tops. I like to put my onions into mesh bags and I save any from the grocery store (the bags that oranges come in). Don’t store your onions with your other winter stored vegetables, because they will pick up the odor of the onions.

If it looks like the onions have started sprouting, this means they may already be close to going bad. The shelf-life of sprouted onions can be cut short due to mold or other natural rotting.

I keep my onions and garlic in one room downstairs and all the other veggies (potatoes, carrots, etc.) go into the cold room.

FAQ’S On Storing Onions Long Term

• Do not store onions in plastic bag, even if they have air holes. Onions need ventilation and in my mind at least, plastic doesn’t allow for enough air flow.
• A wire basket works  great for onion storage, although I would caution against filling them full. Remember, air flow!
• Crates are great as well, especially if they are stacking. You can store a lot of onions in 4 crates stacked on top of each other. As long as sides are bottoms have slats for air flow, you’re good.
• However you decide to store your onions, remember to don’t overfill the containers. Too many layers will reduce the air flow. You always want as much air as possible and proper ventilation.

 

Squash is another vegetable that should be stored separately, it likes a warmer temperature than most cold rooms provide. In general, we eat our garden potatoes, carrots and garlic until at least March.

Grocery store prices skyrocket in the winter time, especially for fruits and vegetables, so start looking into building a cold room or root cellar of your own. It will save you money and the food you grow is healthier for you.

 

FAQs

Do onions last longer in the fridge or on the counter at room temperature?

I recommend storing your onions somewhere cool and dry, which could mean a counter. If you keep onions in the refrigerator, there’s a high possibility they’ll absorb moisture and become soft or soggy.

Choose somewhere like a basement, garage, or pantry for best results when it comes to long-term storage. You’ll want to keep them out of direct sunlight but ensure there’s a bit of air circulation.

The answer is a bit different when it comes to other kinds of onions. Sweet onions, scallions, green onions, leeks, and chives should be kept in the fridge. Wrap them in a damp paper towel to prevent drying out and be sure to remove any slimy bits.

 

How long do onions stay good?

Whole onions, properly stored, can last up to three months before they spoil. They should last at least a month; after that point, check them for any odd coloration, textures, or odors to guarantee their freshness. If you notice the flavor is off at all, it’s best to stop using those onions.

Should I wash onions before storing?

No, I don’t recommend washing them if you’re looking to store whole onions. The excess moisture can speed up spoilage, even if you feel like you’ve dried them properly.

Can you store cut onions?

Cut onions can be stored, but they won’t last as long as whole onions. Wrap a cut onion tightly in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Cut onions can also be chopped up and kept in the freezer for as long as 6 months in a freezer bag.

 

How to Store Onions

More Gardening and Preserving posts:

• How to store potatoes to use all winter long
• Easy Pickled Onions canning recipe so you can preserve your harvest.
• How I shop for groceries all winter long – without going to the store!
• Why you really need to plan your vegetable and berry garden!
• Looking for the perfect recipe to help you go through your storage onions? Make these Marinated Roasted Onions from Kevin is Cooking!

 

 

 

last update Aug 2024