When you end up with more chopped onions than you need for a dish, you may like to store the excess for later. Or, you may have bought a big bag of onions at a sale, and are wondering how to store them for later. In either case, placing chopped onions in the freezer may seem like a good idea. But, can you freeze chopped onions?
Yes, you can freeze raw chopped onions for use in cooked dishes such as soups, stews, and casseroles. Freezing changes their texture, so they won’t have the same fresh crunch after thawing. Pack them in freezer-safe bags or containers and keep them at 0°F (-18°C) or below.
Let’s delve deeper into this now.
How Do You Freeze Cut Onions?
Onions are a versatile pantry ingredient that finds use in various dishes.
Whole, cured storage onions keep well in a cool, dry place with good airflow. Other types need different care, as explained in the onion storage guide.
Once you peel or cut an onion, keep it refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below if you aren’t freezing it right away. Discard cut onions that have been left out for more than two hours, or one hour when the air temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
Nonetheless, there are occasions when you may not need an entire onion for a dish.
Or, you may like to chop onions in advance as part of your food prep and store them for later.
In such situations, it may seem like a good idea to store chopped onions in the freezer.
Freezing is useful when you want to keep chopped onions for later meals.
Thawed onions lose some of their crisp texture, so they suit cooked dishes better than recipes that depend on a fresh crunch.
Flavor and aroma can also change during storage. Good packaging and a steady freezer temperature help protect quality.
You can use frozen onions in casseroles, soups, stews, and dishes where they add volume and flavor to the dish.
Use fresh onions for salads if you want their crisp texture.
Use bags or containers that are designed for freezing. Seal them well to protect the onions from drying out and absorbing other odors.
Keep the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below. Proper packaging and a steady temperature help the onions keep their quality.
So what’s the best way to freeze cut onions? Let’s find out.
The Best Way To Freeze Chopped Onions
These methods are for raw chopped or diced bulb onions, which can be frozen without blanching. Whole bulbs need different preparation, so follow the NCHFP’s whole-onion instructions if you want to freeze them.
Fully mature, firm onions that don’t yield to the touch are ideal for freezing.
After choosing the best onions for freezing, follow these steps to chop and store them properly.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and use a clean knife and cutting board. Wash the onions under cool running water, then dry them with a paper towel before peeling and trimming them.
- Chop or dice the onions into pieces about 1/4 inch across.
- Choose bags that are labeled for freezer storage rather than ordinary sandwich bags.
You can also use airtight freezer-safe containers. When packing chopped onions directly into containers, leave 1/2 inch of space at the top.
However, these consume more space compared to bags that you can easily stack inside the freezer compartment.
There are two ways to store chopped onions.
1. Tray Pack
Spread the chopped onions in a single layer on a clean, rimmed baking tray, as Nebraska Extension recommends. Freeze them until they are solid.
Then transfer the onions into a thick freezer bag.
Remove the excess air by pressing down the bag. Seal the contents in place and return the bag to the freezer.
The main benefit of this method is that you can easily measure the onions out for recipes because they remain separate.
2. Dry Pack
Directly transfer the chopped onions into thick freezer bags after you cut them.
Seal the bag after expelling any excess air. Label it with the contents and the date.
Lay the bags flat in the freezer until the onions are frozen solid. You can then stack the bags to save space.
For most cooked dishes, you can use the onions straight from the freezer without thawing them first.
How Long Do Chopped Onions Last In The Freezer?
For raw chopped onions, plan to use them within a few months for the best quality, as NCHFP recommends for diced onions.
Food that was safe when frozen and stays continuously at 0°F (-18°C) remains safe, although its quality can decline. USDA explains that freezer-storage times are quality guidelines, so the few-month recommendation isn’t a safety deadline.
These guidelines are for raw chopped onions. For onions that you have already cooked, see our cooked-onion storage guidance.
How To Thaw And Use Frozen Chopped Onions?
If you will not be using an entire frozen batch of onions, freeze them as individual portions.
Another option is to tray pack them.
For this method, you should flash-freeze the onions before bagging them. So they will not clump together.
Remove the portion you need and return the rest to the freezer.
Most cooked dishes don’t require you to thaw the onions first. Nebraska Extension says frozen onions can be used with little or no thawing, so you can add the portion you need as the dish cooks.
If you need to thaw them first, put the portion in a covered container in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Don’t leave frozen chopped onions on the counter to thaw.
As frozen onions thaw, they may release liquid because ice crystals can damage plant cells.
Which Onions Freeze Best?
Choose fully mature bulb onions that are firm and in good condition.
Chop and store them when they are at the peak of their freshness for best outcomes.
Discard onions that show signs of spoilage. Freezing does not kill most bacteria, so it won’t make spoiled onions safe to eat.
For the best quality, freeze fresh onions before they soften or sprout.
