Onions are a common kitchen staple and regularly called for in many dishes. This staple ingredient will last up to three weeks if stored properly. If you find they’re starting to sprout or go soft, you can still put them to good use with our top five ways.
1. Freeze Them
Tired of having your onions sprout or go soft before you get a chance to use them? Chop and freeze them in a thin layer in a tightly sealed freezer bag. Break off a chunk as needed and use within 3 months.
2. Caramelize Them
Slow and steady is the key to beautifully caramelized onions. Use a wide bottom skillet with a little salt and oil, then stir and watch carefully as they soften and turn sweet and golden brown. Use them for dips, on crackers, in French onion soup or as a topping for sandwiches, tacos, burgers or on Mini Pizza from Bread.
3. Pickle Them
Pickled onions make a tasty and attractive condiment, perfect for burgers, tacos and sandwiches. Even half an onion can be quickly pickled using the steps in Bob Blumer’s Pickled Lettuce recipe – just swap the lettuce with sliced onions.
4. Make Stock
Onions are a classic aromatic to use when making soup stock. Use whatever type and amount of onion you have. You can even use the papery bits and ends in stock. Use this Turkey Stock by Christine Tizzard as inspiration.
5. Regrow Your Onions
Unlike other onions which should be stored at room temperature, green onions should be kept wrapped in a paper towel in a container in the fridge. You can also regrow green onions by simply cutting 2.5 cm (1 inch) up from the root end and placing in a glass of water on your counter. Replace water every 2 days and watch the greens regrow – repeat several times.
Did You Know?
Did you know you can take the sharp bite out of raw onions by soaking sliced onions in cold water for 10 minutes? And, you can reduce tears by placing onions in the fridge for 15 minutes prior to chopping. But don’t store onions in the fridge, store them in a cupboard.