Last Updated on 6th July 2023 by
Fruits and veggies can go bad within days if they are not tended to properly. Improper storage, a lack of care, and poor environmental conditions can cause your fresh produce to rot quickly. The tomatoes can turn brown and nasty looking, and the bananas will soon become spotted and then gooey.
When your veggies and fruits begin to ooze at all, it is time to let them go. You want to avoid wastage whenever you can, though, right? I try to keep my food in top condition or as long as possible and keep an eye on when they might go bad so that I use them before then. I hate to waste food that I paid money for.
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Food Waste
Food waste is a huge issue, one that many people try to avoid, especially restaurants who have to order large quantities of food. It is a good idea for restaurants to use catering software to manage their food orders and prevent waste. A lot of the catering software available allows you to order food and keep tack of your inventory.
Part of the problem tends to be poor time and food management. We often eat whatever we feel like rather than what needs to be eaten. It is important that you plan to eat food that is about to expire so that it is not wasted.
Green Onions Shelf Life
For green onions, the shelf life is about four to five weeks. That seems like a long time, but that is an optimistic estimate. They only manage to last that long if you take proper care of them. Roses will last for days and even weeks longer if you know how to care for them once they have been picked and placed in a vase. They always look so fresh in the flower shop, and that’s because the people who are selling them know how to keep them looking their best and staying fresh.
Think of how many unsightly green onions you have seen in the market or grocery store? It’s probably not been many, and that’s for the same reason. The people who sell them are doing a good job of caring for them, ensuring that they stay fresh and look appealing. You can do the same thing, if you know proper storage and preservation tricks, and I want to teach you those. Keep reading if you want to find out how to keep green onions fresh.
How to Store Green Onions
The onions may come with a rubber band or other packaging on them, and that needs to go. They should not come into contact with any packaging from the store once they enter your home. Those bits of packaging can cause premature browning and spoiling. So, toss out the rubber bands, plastic bags and whatever else might be packaging the green onions.
Next, you want to cut off the root of the green onion. Basically, just slice off the knob on the end.
You need to prep the onions for fridge storage. I want to show you how to keep green onions fresh in the fridge, as that is the best place to store them. You should cut them in half so that they will store more easily. Then wrap them in a paper towel to get rid of any excess moisture. Don’t wrap them too tightly, though, because you don’t want them to be smooshed. If there is a lot of moisture on the green onions, then you can dry them off and use a new paper towel to wrap them.
Keeping them still wrapped in a paper towel, you can place them into a plastic bag and put them in the fridge. Place them into your crisper drawer so they will stay fresh for longer. You may want to label the green onions with the date you placed them in or with the date they might be good until. Remember that if you store them properly, they can last for up to five weeks.
The crisper drawer in your fridge is the best place to keep them. That would be the drawer under one of the lower shelves. All of your vegetables can store in here and stay fresh for longer, as this protects them from excess moisture.
Anytime you pull the green onions out to use them, be sure to get rid of extra moisture that may have accumulated. You can dry them off with a paper towel and empty water from the bag that might have formed there. Keeping them somewhat dry is a great way to extend their shelf life.
What to Use Green Onions For
Now that you know how to keep green onions fresh after cutting and in your fridge, I want to share a few ideas of what to do with them. If you have some food prep ideas to play with and you will have green onions keeping in your fridge for some time, you can make sure you have the right ingredients to make some of these dishes.
I like green onions chopped up and used as garnish on soups. They make for a great topping in carrot soup, pumpkin soup, potato soup and really any kind of vegetable soup.
They are also a great garnish for baked potatoes or mashed potatoes once the onions have been chopped.
I also mix them into my stir fry, Chinese noodles, egg drop soup, egg rolls, and many other Chinese dishes. Green onions are a great addition to most Chinese foods and are a common ingredients in Asian cooking of any kind.
You don’t have to cook green onions to use them. I like to add them fresh and raw to soups and salads, and I love the crispy, fresh taste they offer. They don’t have as strong of a taste as Vidalia or white onions, so there isn’t any need to cook some of the taste out.
How to Tell if Green Onions Are Going Bad
What do your green onions look like when they are starting to spoil? They may be brownish and slimy, or if they are really spoiled, they may look black. Look for anything strange about their appearance and give them a sniff if you aren’t sure.
The smell is often a surefire sign that the onions are going bad. If they smell off in any way, you need to discard them. You don’t want to take your chances with spoiled vegetables.
FAQs
What’s the best way to store green onions to maximize their freshness?
The best way to store green onions is in the refrigerator. Place them in a container with a small amount of water at the bottom, cover the tops with a loosely fitting plastic bag, and then place them in the fridge. This can help keep the green onions fresh for a week or longer. Alternatively, you can wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag before refrigerating.
Can I freeze green onions, and if so, what’s the best way to do it?
Yes, you can freeze green onions. To do this, wash and trim the onions, then chop them into the size you typically use for cooking. Spread the chopped onions out on a baking sheet and freeze them until they’re solid to prevent them from clumping together, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be used directly from the freezer in cooked dishes.
How can I tell if my green onions have gone bad?
Green onions that have gone bad typically become slimy or mushy, and may develop a rotten smell. The green tops might also become yellow or brown. If you see any of these signs, it’s best to discard the green onions.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!
Morgan Blake
Thursday 25th of March 2021
Thanks Pauline for the storing tips!!