What to do with all those bulk onions? I almost always buy my onions in the 3 lb. bags, but used to end up on the losing end when half of them went bad. I've found a solution to that!
I dice up all the onions that I'm not going to use right away and put 2/3 cup of the chopped onions into ziplock bags. These bags go into the freezer until the onions are needed. I make a lot of soups and gumbos so the slightly limp texture is fine, and the taste is the same as fresh.
This also works for celery and bell peppers!
By Ann B. from New Orleans, LA
Please can someone tell me if you can freeze fried onions, and if so how?
By Dee from Essex
Whenever you have part of an onion left over from the recipe you are making, don't throw it away, instead wrap it up in some foil or put in a kitchen container and freeze it.
When freezing onions, do they have to be sliced? or can you freeze the whole onion?
By Ginger from OK
You can freeze the whole onion but unless you are going to put it in a soup whole or something, I'd suggest chopping it up. It's just easier to handle when you defrost it.
What effect does it have on onions to freeze them when they are fresh?
By Jo Ann M
In my experience, they get kind of mushy when they're thawed, so not good to use in a recipe that needs fresh, crisp onions. I've had great success in pre-dicing them and then throwing them in the pan to carmelize for use in recipe that calls for that sort of thing (chili, soups, casseroles, etc...).
How do you freeze onions?
By Karen
Peel them, chop them and put them in freezer bags. You can freeze green peppers and celery this way too.
Is cutting up onion and keeping it frozen carcinogenic or safe?
By zozo
I've never heard that frozen onions cause cancer. I've purchased frozen chopped onions at the grocery store, and haven't given it a second thought. I'm pretty sure I've purchased frozen stir fry mixes containing onion, and I think I've seen frozen onion rings.
Can I freeze onions?
By Frank
No problem! Just cut, slice, or dice and place in freezer bags or freezer containers. The texture may change for eating raw, but for cooking, they are just fine. I do it all the time.
Yes you can! I dice them up and sometimes will add them to diced green onions and chopped celery. When I'm cooking it saves a ton of time to have these waiting and already prepped!
You can freeze just about anything that will be cooked when you thaw it. Like Binkylou says, they are great to have on hand. The best way is to chop them the way you want them, then spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze them like that. When they are good and hard, put them in a freezer bag. This way, you can take out a tablespoon or a cut, plus they thaw faster when not in one big clump.
Can you freeze onion?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Franco from Fayetteville, AR
I dice the onions up and put them in baggies in the approximate amount that I think I will be needing for certain things.
I freeze onions all the time, chopped up and ready to use.
We buy bags of onions and cut up and freeze them in zip lock bags ready to use for cooking The only time we use freshly chopped onions is in potato salad.
Hello Franco, I often chop up a bag of onions, freeze them in a single layer on a cookie sheet in the freezer (helps draw out some of the excess moisture) and then divide them up into freezer bags to store in the freezer. They work great for most crock pot recipes, soups, stews, gravies, and some casseroles, but not for fresh salads or burgers.
I really don't notice the difference in flavor as much as the difference in texture. I don't use them as a "fresh" ingredient in potato salads (as Kathryen said) or any kind of salad, sandwich spread, etc. It's a great time saver if using them in dishes that need the flavor and not necessarily the crunch. Chop up a fresh one when needed!
This is great information! I'm glad you asked the question! I'll start freezing my onions from now on! Thanks everyone!
I buy onion in 5 pounds or more. I prep all the onions at the same time to avoid wasting any of it. I peel them, quarter them, then toss into my blender to puree them.
Can you freeze onions or will they last chopped in a container in the refrigerator for a week?
Bulb onions store well in a cool, dry place. Freezing is usually not recommended since onions change flavor when frozen.
If you like cooking with chopped or diced onions but don't like spending extra money buying prepared onions, try making your own.