How to Freeze Onions and Keep Them Fresh for Months

You’ve probably heard the saying, "The path to bad onions is paved with good intentions." Maybe you left them on the counter too long, and now they're starting to rot. Avoid future waste (and save some cash) by freezing them instead.

Freezing onions not only helps you use up all your purchase, but having pre-chopped onions ready in the freezer is a game-changer during meal prep, especially when those busy weeknight dinners roll around.

Can You Freeze Onions?

Onions freeze incredibly well, and it’s as simple as chopping them up and tossing them in the freezer. No need to cook them beforehand, unless you want the added convenience of having caramelized onions ready for quick use in your dishes.

If you plan to freeze onions whole, be prepared for a blanching step. However, whole frozen onions aren't as convenient as chopped ones, so it's better to cut them up raw before freezing.

While onions freeze well, they’re best suited for cooked dishes rather than raw ones like salads, as their texture changes after freezing. Frozen onions will hold their flavor for 3-6 months, though they may lose some potency after that time.

The Best Way to Freeze Onions

Before you start chopping, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure the zip-top bags you're using are thick. Standard freezer bags are likely not thick enough, so double or triple-bag them. The onion's odor can permeate a freezer and it will go through thin bags. If keeping onions in a garage or basement accessory freezer is an option, go with that.
• Consider freezing onions in the portion you'd like to use, e.g., smaller portioned bags rather than one big one. This way, you can use all the onions in the bag at one time – once they're frozen it's difficult to remove only a portion due to clumping.

Get the recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions

• For the most space-saving storage, lay the filled bags flat on a cookie sheet until frozen, then collect and stack or stand them in the freezer.
• If your onions are soft and/or have sprouted, puree them in a food processor with olive oil and use ice cube trays to freeze the mixture. Then transfer the cubes to a zip top bag. This cube will add delicious flavor to soup, gravy, sauteed beef dishes, etc.

How to Freeze Onions

1. Peel the onions and remove any soft or discolored spots.

2. Chop or slice the onions into the sizes you use most often, typically into slices or chunks. Avoid finely dicing or using a food processor, as thawed onions will become mushy. If you have a large batch, consider freezing some sliced and some chopped for versatility.

3. Store the chopped onions in freezer bags, pressing out excess air before sealing. Alternatively, use an airtight container, preferably glass to avoid odors. Spread the onions in thin layers separated by plastic wrap. Another option is freezing the chopped onions in ice cube trays, then transferring the frozen cubes to zip-top bags.

4. Label the bags with the date so you can keep track of freshness and use the older ones first.

How to Thaw and Use Frozen Onions

Frozen onions are perfect for cooked dishes like soup, stews, braises, stir-fries, burgers, meatloaf, pasta sauce, casseroles, chili, or any recipe that starts with sautéed onions. Just toss them in directly from the freezer—no need to thaw. You can even coat frozen slices or rings in flour to make quick and easy onion rings.

Since frozen onions lose their crunch, they aren't suitable for raw preparations. Also, avoid trying to caramelize them after freezing—they won’t brown properly like fresh onions, as the excess moisture will prevent the desired caramelization.