Onions can be kept fresh for up to six months if stored correctly, according to YouTube's Jerry James Stone. In one of his videos, he shared guidance for keeping onions in optimal condition "without them rotting or going mushy."
Stone explained: "I'm going to talk to you about how you properly store onions - if you do it correctly, you can actually store them for up to six months."
Why the Fridge Is Bad for Onions
Stone said: "Onions hate being in the fridge, that's the first thing - never put them in the fridge. If you do, they actually rot and go mushy."
The cold and damp conditions in fridges are unsuitable for whole onions, as they require completely different surroundings. Because onions absorb moisture, refrigerating them can make them soft and cause them to deteriorate far more quickly, though this rule does not apply to peeled or pre-cut onions.
The Ideal Storage Conditions
Stone added: "The other thing about onions is they prefer to be in a dry place, that's cool, and has good ventilation."
He advised: "Avoid storing them in a cramped drawer; instead, aim for a pantry where there's plenty of air movement. That [ventilation's] super crucial as they emit quite a bit of moisture."
Keep Onions Away From Potatoes
Stone warned: "One thing you definitely don't want to do is store onions anywhere next to potatoes. Because of the moisture and ethylene gas onions put out, they cause potatoes to sprout. The food you can store onions next to is garlic - they prefer the same environment."
For supermarket-bought onions in plastic bags, it is recommended to remove them from the packaging before storing, as the plastic traps moisture and can encourage mould. A net or mesh bag promotes better air circulation and helps regulate moisture levels.
For short-term storage, onions can be kept in a bowl on the kitchen worktop or inside a cupboard if they will be used within a day or two. For longer-term storage, onions are best kept in a cool, dry, dark room, such as a cellar or garage, shielded from direct light.
