How long does chopped onion last (+3 ways to tell)
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does chopped onion last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of onion in different conditions. Moreover, we are going to discuss the ways to tell if an onion has gone bad and the risks associated with the consumption of onions that have gone bad.
Onions find their way in almost all the recipes of all the cuisines that are made around the globe. So it is just possible that you cut some extra onion than you need and if you are wondering for how long you can store it, we got your back as we will tell you exactly “how long does chopped onion last”.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long does chopped onion last in the fridge?
Chopped or cut onions can last for about 7 to 10 days in the fridge without going bad. But an important point to keep in mind is to always store the chopped onions in an air-tight bag or container as none of us wants every food present in our fridge to smell like onion, right?
Raw whole onions can last for almost 10 to 14 days when kept in the fridge according to the USDA standards. While the cooked onions can last for approximately 4 days when kept in an air-tight container in the fridge.
How long does chopped onion last at room temperature?
Chopped or cut onions can last for less than a day if they are kept uncovered at room temperature. Peeled and chopped onions will not only lose their moisture over time but can also become the favorite spot for many bacteria and other microbes to grow upon.
Raw unpeeled onions can last for 2 to 3 months easily when kept in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
How long does chopped onion last in the freezer?
Cut or chopped onions can last for about 8 months in the freezer in an air-tight bag or container. Moreover, you can also significantly increase the shelf life of cooked onions to 12 months by keeping them in the freezer.
How should you store onions?
Unpeeled raw onions should be stored in a cold, dry, and well-ventilated place. Therefore you can easily store them in your pantry. It is not advised to store whole raw onions in the fridge as they can readily absorb moisture from the fridge that can change their texture and mouthfeel.
Chopped or diced onions should be stored in air-tight bags or containers in the refrigerator or they can even be stored in the freezer for quite long.
Other FAQs about Onions which you may be interested in.
What can I use instead of green onions?
How to tell if an onion is bad?
Are onions poisonous the next day?
What is the nutritional profile of onion?
Onion is a low caloric food and with 100 grams of an onion having only 40 calories. When we talk about its nutritional profile, an onion has 9% carbohydrates, 1.7% dietary fiber, and 89% water. Its fat content is so low that 100 grams of onions have just 0.1 grams of fat. Onion is also a good source of many vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin C, and potassium.
How to tell if the onion has gone bad?
You can easily tell whether or not the onion has gone bad by looking at its color, texture, and smell.
Color
If you see any mold or dark-colored spots on your raw onion then it is the indication that your onion has gone bad and it is best to get rid of it.
Moreover, if you see some green sprout beginning to grow on the onion, it shows that your onions will go bad in some time.
Texture
The healthy onions are rather firm so if you feel something soft, squishy, or slimy then it is the indication that your onion has gone bad.
Smell
The healthy onion itself has some strong and sharp smell but if you smell something off then it is probably the indication of your onions going bad.
What are the risks associated with eating bad onions?
Eating an onion that has gone bad causes many health problems especially food poisoning. Onions can get contaminated with Salmonella that can cause serious health implications and gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever. Moreover, there can be present Lysteria Monocytogens in the onion that has gone bad which can cause listeriosis if consumed by vulnerable populations like children, elderly, pregnant ladies, and immunocompromised people.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does chopped onion last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of onion in different conditions. Moreover, we discussed the ways to tell if an onion has gone bad and the risks associated with the consumption of onions that have gone bad.
