Ever wondered whether you can freeze onions? You can — and it’s an easy, practical way to reduce food waste and save money. Freezing onions lets you keep extras on hand for recipes without worrying they’ll spoil.
Not long ago I ended up with more onions than I could use before they started to go soft. A grocery pickup only offered a whole bag, not single onions, so I decided to freeze the excess. It was a simple solution that stopped food from being wasted and made future meal prep easier.
Freezing onions is straightforward and intuitive, but a few tips make the results better. Read on for practical guidance and best practices.
Steps to freeze onions:
- Place the onion on a cutting board, remove the papery skin, and chop to your preferred size.
- Transfer the chopped onion to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the bag with the contents and date so you know how much and when it was frozen.
- Lay the bag flat in the freezer so it freezes evenly and saves space.
How to cut onions for freezing:
Cut onions for freezing the way you’ll use them. Avoid freezing a whole onion; instead, dice small, dice medium, slice into strips, or chop roughly depending on recipes you usually make. I use diced onions most often, so I freeze diced pieces for convenience.
Pro tip on freezing onions:
Freeze onions in portions you’ll actually use. For example, freeze some bags with a whole diced onion and others with half an onion. That way you can grab a smaller portion when a recipe calls for less. Always use freezer-safe bags or airtight containers — onions are aromatic, and proper packaging reduces odor in the freezer and minimizes freezer burn.
How to use frozen onions:
Frozen onions can be added directly to cooking without thawing. If you prefer, thaw them in the refrigerator, but they work well straight from the freezer. Be aware that adding frozen onions to hot oil can cause a bit more splatter than fresh, so take usual safety precautions when sautéing.
How long do onions last in the freezer:
Chopped onions maintain best quality for up to eight months in the freezer. For practical purposes, you’ll probably use them sooner, but always mark the date on the bag so you know when they were frozen.
Recipes that use diced onions:
- Whole30 Bolognese Sauce
- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Instant Pot Parmesan Risotto
- Instant Pot Chili
