How to Store Green Onions in the Refrigerator or Freezer

Green onions (Allium cepa), also called scallions, are fresh young onions identified by their slender shape and mild flavor. The white stalk has the same sharp, sulfur-y taste typical of alliums, albeit with less bite. Meanwhile, the dark green leaves have a fresher, grassy flavor. When just harvested, scallions give off a strong smell (similar to regular onions) that’s noticeably bright and earthy, with notes of garlic and apple.

People sometimes use the terms “scallion” and “green onion” interchangeably to refer to allium plants that grow in clumps with stringy roots; long, tender green leaves; and thin, bulb-less white stalks. Green onions sometimes go by the name “bunching onions.”

If you store green onions properly, they can have a shelf life of more than a week. Follow these steps to prep and preserve green onions:

1. 1. Split the bunch. Green onions you purchase from the grocery store will likely come bunched together with a rubber band. Remove the rubber band to prep them for storing. Use a cutting board to chop off the root end at the bottom of green onions, below the white part of the scallions. Then chop the bunch of green onions in half, right in the middle of the green part, so it can fit into a food storage container, such as a plastic bag or freezer bag.
2. 2. Wash and dry the onions. If the green onions do not come pre-washed, you can rinse them with water and a nontoxic veggie spray. Pat the bunch of green onions with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Dispose of the damp paper towels and use fresh ones to wrap the green onions.
3. 3. Cover the onions with paper towels. Lay the paper towels down lengthwise and place the green onions on top. Fold the paper towel over the white part of the green onion and over the green, top end of the scallions, ensuring you cover the sliced areas. Then roll the bunch within the paper towel, so it’s wrapped and covered completely.
4. 4. Refrigerate the onions. Place the wrapped onions into your storage container or plastic bag, then place the sealed container in the refrigerator—in the crisper drawer if possible. Green onions are light and delicate, so avoid storing veggies on top of them.

Alternatively, you can keep full green onions fresh by keeping the root ends intact and storing them in a glass or mason jar with about an inch of cold water. Place a plastic bag over the greens and secure it with a rubber band to keep them from wilting. Change the water every day or two.

Freezing green onions can extend their shelf life and reduce food waste. If you have a few bunches of green onions that you don’t plan to use within a week, freeze them as soon as possible to preserve their freshness.

When opting to freeze green onions, you may want to wash, dry, and slice them before placing them in a sealed, airtight container. Chopped green onions will thaw quickly, making it easy for you to sprinkle them into recipes as needed. Green onions can last in the freezer for up to four months. Their texture will change slightly after they defrost, so use previously frozen scallions in cooked preparations, such as in slow cooker meals or a stir-fry, rather than as garnishes.

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