How to store green onions (also known as spring onions or scallions) to keep them fresh for weeks. I’ll show you the 4 best ways to store a bunch of raw green onions and avoid unnecessary food waste.
More Food Storage Hacks: berries, bell peppers, lettuce, carrots and celery, radishes, asparagus, and herbs.
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I hate spending money on real food, only to find that food rotting in the fridge.
The good news!
When food is stored under the right conditions and with proper care and proper storage, fresh produce can last for days and weeks, saving money and time!
Control The Moisture & Save Your Green Onions: A bunch of green onions is a tricky food to keep fresh and crisp. Green onions need humidity to stay crisp and firm. The most important part of storing green onions is to control the moisture. The methods shared here do exactly that.
4 Different Ways to Store Green Onions
I’ll break down the easy steps for each storage method below, but first let me highlight the 4 best options. Choose any of these methods to maintain the freshness of green onions and their crunchy texture.
Method 1: Like a Bouquet of Flowers in the Fridge
Shelf Life of Green Onions Stored This Way: 2-3 Weeks (or Longer)
What You’ll Need
- Green onions, with the green parts, white part, roots still intact
- Drinking glass, mason jar, or other tall glass/jar
- Rubber-band
- Gallon-size plastic bag or reusable bag (such as a Stasher bag)
Step By Step Instructions
- Step 1: Fill jar with water: Fill the jar a 1/4 full with fresh water (about an inch of water).
- Step 2: Add green onions: Place the green onions root-side bowl in the jar so the roots sit in the water.
- Step 3: Cover: Cover the onions with a bag, then secure the opening of the bag around the top of the jar using a rubber-band.
- Step 4: Store in the fridge for weeks: Store the green onions in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (or longer). Change the water as needed. There will be some moisture that builds up inside the bag. This is fine and normal.
Method 2: Paper-Towel and Bag in the Fridge
Shelf Life of Green Onions Stored This Way: 2 Weeks
What You’ll Need
- Green onions, with green parts and white part (can have roots or not)
- Paper Towel
- Ziplock Bag or reusable bag (such as a Stasher bag)
Step By Step Instructions
- Cut the Onions in Half: So the green and white parts are separated. This way the onions will fit in the paper-towel and bag.
- Wrap in a Paper Towel: Place the onions (both greens and whites) on a paper-towel and roll up, so the onions are positioned inside the rolled up towel.
- Place in a Bag: Place the wrapped onions in a bag. Alternatively, use a storage container. Store in the fridge.
Method 3: Loose in the Crisper Drawer in the Fridge
Shelf Life of Green Onions Stored This Way: 1-2 Days
If you plan to use the green onions quickly (within a couple of days), store them loose in the crisper drawer.
What You’ll Need
- Green onions, with the green parts, white part, and roots still intact
Step By Step Instructions
- No steps needed here; just place the green onions directly in the crisper drawer in the fridge.
- Don’t store the onions outside the crisper drawer, as the onions will go limp quickly.
- If the green onions are limp, after a couple of days, and you haven’t used them yet, they’re still safe to eat. Place them in a jar filled 1/4 way full with water to continue storing them, or use the paper-towel and bag method.
Method 4: Like a Bouquet of Flowers On the Counter
Shelf Life of Green Onions Stored This Way: 3-4 Days (Up to 1 Week)
What You’ll Need
- Green onions, with the green parts, white part, and roots still intact
- Drinking glass, mason jar, or other tall glass/jar
Step by Step Instructions
- Fill a jar with water: Fill the jar a 1/4 full with fresh water (about an inch of water).
- Step 2: Add Green Onions: Place the onions root-side bowl in the jar so the roots sit in the water.
- Store on Counter: Place the jar on the kitchen counter, at room temperature, near a window so they get plenty of light.
Video Guide: How I Store Green Onions (My Favorite Method)
How to Freeze & Use Green Onions for Long-Term Storage
Freezer Shelf Life: 3-4 Months
To keep the onions fresh for a long time (months), freeze fresh green onions. This is a great way to preserve unused green onions, too!
Freezer storage tips
- Remove the root before freezing (video tutorial).
- Either chop the green onions, or store whole (without the root).
- Place the onions in an air-tight container or bag, then store in the freezer.
- Use the green tops and white white parts in soup, stir-fry, an omelet, fried rice, or make chicken broth or veggie broth.
- Previously-frozen onions are not enjoyable raw, such as in salads, since they will not have a crisp texture. It’s best to use the onions for cooking.
How to Store Green Onions and Keep Them Fresh (4 Ways)
Ingredients
Method 1: Like a Bouquet of Flowers in the Fridge (Shelf Life: 2-3 weeks)
- green onions with the roots still intact; do not cut off the roots
- mason jar or drinking glass or other tall glass/jar
- rubberband
- gallon-size plastic bag or reusable bag
Method 2: Paper-Towel and Bag (Shelf Life: 2 weeks)
- green onions with or without the roots still intact
- paper towel
- plastic bag or reusable bag
Method 3: Loose in the Crisper Drawer (Shelf Life: 1-2 days)
- green onions with the roots still intact
Method 4: Like a Bouquet of Flowers On the Counter (Shelf Life: 3-4 days, up to 1 week)
- green onions with the roots still intact; do not cut off the roots
- mason jar or drinking glass or other tall glass/jar
Instructions
Method 1: Like a Bouquet of Flowers in the Fridge (2-3 weeks)
- Fill the jar a 1/4 full with fresh water (about an inch of water).
- Place the green onions, root side down, 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 using a rubber-band.
- Store the green onions in the fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (or longer). Change the water as needed. There will be some moisture that builds up inside the bag (this is okay and normal).
Method 2: Paper-Towel and Bag (2 weeks)
- Cut the onions in half so the green and white parts are separated. This way the onions will fit in the paper-towel and bag.
- Roll up the green onions (both greens and whites) in a paper-towel.
- Place the wrapped onions in a bag. Alternatively, you may use a storage container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Method 3: Loose in the Crisper Drawer (1-2 days)
- No instructions needed; just place the onions directly in the crisper drawer in the fridge.
Method 4: Like a Bouquet of Flowers On the Counter (3-4 days, up to 1 week)
- Fill the jar a 1/4 full with fresh water (about an inch of water).
- Place the green onions root-side bowl in the jar so the roots sit in the water.
- Place the jar on the counter, at room temperature, near a window so they get plenty of light.
Video
Notes
Don’t let it rot!
FREE PRODUCE GUIDE
21 Storage Hacks to Keep Your Produce Fresh
How to Prep & Store Cut Green Onions in the Fridge
Wash and chop green onions so they’re prepped and ready to use throughout the week. An easy time-saving meal prep hack!
Prep Cut Green Onions for the weeK
- Chop green onions, discarding the root, then place the onions in a small jar with an air-tight lid (I love snap containers or mason jars).
- Store in the fridge for up 5 days.
- To enjoy, spoon out as many green onions as needed. This is a great way to have ready-to-use onions for chicken fried rice, omelets, or salads.
When and How to Clean Green Onions
- Whole Onions: Don’t wash the onions in advance if you plan to store the onions in whole form. Just wash when needed. This will prevent extra moisture build up, which can cause premature decay.
- Cut Onions: If you plan to chop the green onions in advance, wash the onions before chopping and storing.
HOW TO WASH & Clean
- Run the onions under fresh, cold water. Use your fingers to rub off any extra dirt on the onions. Remove and discard any wilted or slimy parts from the onions at this time.
- Thoroughly dry the onions using a towel.
- If you want to use a produce wash, 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.
How to Use Green Onions
- Stir-fry: Add them near the end of cooking or sprinkle on top of the stir-fry.
- Topping for baked potatoes, frittatas, salads, fried rice, and soups.
- Use as a filling for egg muffins.
- Add whole green onions when making homemade chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Saute chopped onions in butter before adding eggs when making fluffy scrambled eggs. The green onions and eggs pair perfectly together.
- Omelet: Top on a cheese or spinach and feta omelette.
- Re-grow green onions after cutting off the roots and placing in water.
Can you use the storage methods to store red, yellow, and white onions?
No, these methods don’t work for other types of onions. Store red, yellow, or white onions on the countertop, at room temperature, until ready to cut. Once cut, store in the fridge.
Yellow, red, and white onions are much heartier than green onions.
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This works very well. Kept my onions fresh for 2 weeks and counting.