It’s discouraging to spend money on real food, only to find that food rotting in the fridge. Learning food storage tricks is super helpful when it comes to eating real and saving money. We’ve already talked about how to store berries, lettuce, carrots and celery, and herbs.
Green onions are another tricky produce item to keep fresh and crisp. I’ve found an easy trick for how to store green onions. This easy storage trick keeps green onions crisp and fresh for 2-3 weeks (or longer!). I’ll share my favorite fridge storage method, plus 3 other popular storage methods.
Purchasing Tips
First, it’s important to point out that no matter how you store green onions, a bad bunch of onions is just that. No method will delay the inevitable if the green onions have already gone bad. It’s important to buy the freshest green onions.
What to look for when buying green onions…
- roots still intact
- firm white ends
- a vibrant green color in the middle area, between the white base/roots and darker green tops
- a crisp feel and look, avoid green onions that are wilted or feel/look limp
How to Store in Water: The Best Method
Say goodbye to wilted green onions! Here’s how to store green onions properly to keep them fresh for weeks.
The best way to store green onions and keep them fresh for weeks is to store the onions like a bouquet of flowers, in the fridge in a jar of water.
If you read my post on storing fresh herbs, you’ll notice that I use this method to keep herbs fresh for weeks as well. The most important part of storing green onions is to control the moisture. Green onions need humidity to stay crisp and firm.
What You’ll Need
- green onions (also known as scallions), with the roots still intact (do not cut off the roots)
- drinking glass, mason jar, or other tall glass/jar
- rubber-band
- gallon-size plastic bag or reusable bag (such as a Stasher bag)
Step 1: Fill a jar with water
Fill a drinking glass or mason jar a 1/4 full with fresh, clean water.
Step 2: Add the green onions
Place the green onions in the jar so the roots sit in the water.
Step 3: Cover with a Bag, Seal with a Rubber-band, and Store in the Fridge
Cover the green onions with a bag, then secure the opening of the bag around the top of the jar with a rubber-band.
Store the green onions in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (or longer). Change the water as needed (I usually change the water once a week). There will be some moisture that builds up inside the bag. This is fine and normal. There’s no need to change the bag unless you feel there’s too much moisture.
Without the bag, the green onions tend to go limp at the top.
To use the green onions, remove one onion or as many as needed from the jar, then wash and chop.
Other Fridge and Counter Storage Methods
If you want experiment with other storage methods, there are other ways to store whole green onions. Here are a few methods that also work:
Paper-Towel and Bag
If your green onions don’t have the roots in-tact (or you want to cut the roots off) this is the best method to use. Start with root-less green onions, then cut the onions so the green and white parts are separated (this way they’ll fit in the paper-towel and bag), then wrap the green onions (both greens and whites) in a paper-towel, then place in a Ziplock bag (or reusable bag).
The onions will last about 2 weeks when stored this way.
Loose in the Crisper Drawer
If you plan to use the green onions quickly (within a couple of days) and don’t want to fuss with putting the onions in a jar of water or bag, store them loose in the crisper drawer. I don’t recommend storing outside the crisper drawer, as the onions will go limp quickly. You can regulate the humidity in a crisper drawer, making it ideal for loose veggie storage.
If the green onions are limp after a couple of days, and you haven’t used them yet, they’re still safe to eat. Just place them in a jar filled 1/4 way full with water to continue storing them, or use the paper-towel and bag method (above).
On the Counter
Store green onions, with the roots still in-tact, in a jar that’s filled 1/4 way full with water, on the counter. It’s best to store the onions near a window so they get plenty of light (just like a plant needs to stay fresh and vibrant).
The onions will last about 1 week when stored this way. Any longer and the onions will begin to deteriorate and get slimy at the roots.
Freezer Storage
For long-term storage, you can freeze green onions. This is a great preservation method. It’s best to cut first, before freezing (how to cut green onions video tutorial).
Store the cut green onions in an air-tight container or bag, then store in the freezer for up to 4 months. Use in soup, stir-fry, an omelet, and other cooking recipes. Previously-frozen onions are not enjoyable raw, such as in salads, since they will not have a crisp texture.
Another freezer method is to remove the roots, cut the onions in half, and store in a Ziplock bag in the freezer. Use a few onions at a time to make a flavorful chicken broth or veggie broth (use instead of a white onion).
How to Store Cut Green Onions
Sometimes I’ll wash and chop green onions on the weekend so they’re prepped and ready to use throughout the week.
If you’d like to prep green onions in advance, chop the green onions, then place the onions in small jar with an air-tight lid (I love snap containers or mason jars). Place the lid on the jar and store in the fridge for up 5 days. Spoon out as many green onions as needed throughout the week.
How and When to Wash
I don’t recommend washing green onions in advance if you plan to store the onions in whole form. If you plan to chop the green onions in advance, wash the onions before chopping and storing.
To wash green onions, run the onions under fresh, cold water. Use your fingers to rub off any extra dirt on the onions. I also like to remove any wilted or slimy parts from the onions at this time. Thoroughly dry the onions using a towel. Check out this post to learn how to cut green onions.
If you want to use a produce wash, you can either soak the green onions before use in this homemade produce wash or spray the produce wash on the green onions before running the onions under water. Personally, I don’t use a produce wash on green onions.
How to Use Green Onions
I typically buy a bundle of green onions every few weeks at the farmer’s market and use the onions in a variety of ways. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use green onions in our everyday meals.
- Add chopped green onions to stir-fry. The green onions take just minutes to cook, so add them near the end of cooking or sprinkle on top of the stir-fry.
- Add chopped green onions on top of baked potatoes, frittatas, salads, omelettes, fried rice, and soups for a mild onion taste.
- Add chopped greens to the filling of egg muffins for an easy grab and go breakfast.
- Add whole green onions when making homemade chicken broth or vegetable broth. Store extra veggies in a bag in the freezer and use the veggies to make broth, this is a great way to use extra green onions.
- Saute chopped green onions in butter before adding eggs when making fluffy scrambled eggs. The green onions and eggs pair perfectly together. I also love to saute up a bit of chopped greens (Swiss chard, kale, or spinach) with the green onions before adding the eggs.
- Re-grow green onions after cutting off the roots and placing in water.
How to Store Other Favorite Fruits and Veggies
How to Store Green Onions and Keep Them Fresh for Weeks
Equipment
- rubberband
- gallon-size plastic bag OR reusable bag (such as a Stasher bag)
Ingredients
- green onions (also known as scallions), with the roots still intact (do not cut off the roots)
Instructions
- Fill a drinking glass or mason jar a 1/4 full with fresh, clean water.
- Place the green onions in the jar so the roots sit in the water.
- Cover the green onions with a bag, then secure the opening of the bag around the top of the jar with a rubberband.
- Store the green onions in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (or longer). Change the water as needed (I usually change the water once a week). There will be some moisture that builds up inside the bag (green onions need humidity). This is fine and normal. There's no need to change the bag unless you feel there's too much moisture. Without the bag, the green onions tend to go limp.
- To use the green onions, remove one onion or as many as needed from the jar, then wash and chop.
Video
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