Dried onions are a popular spice in Vietnamese cuisine, adding a delicious flavor to many dishes. Because onions are frequently used, many housewives buy a large quantity when they come across good-quality dried onions at the market.
How to store dried onions to prevent them from sprouting
Storing dried onions can be a challenge because they tend to sprout, shrivel, or spoil over time. Is there a way to store dried onions without them sprouting or going bad? Here are some tips to consider.
Choose quality dried onions
In order to store onions for a long time, you need to buy a batch of dried onions that meets the following criteria:
– The onions should be firm, plump, have a thick outer layer, and be uniform in size. The dry outer layer should easily peel off.
– The onions should not be wet or have soft spots or mold when you hold them.
– Avoid buying onions that have sprouted, as they will not stay fresh for a long time.
– It is not recommended to choose onions with a strong smell, as this indicates that they may be rotten or spoiled under the outer layer.
Store dried onions in a mesh bag or basket
Storing dried onions in the refrigerator for a long time is not a good idea because the refrigerator can be too humid. Additionally, the onions will cause your refrigerator to absorb their aroma, affecting other foods.
To store dried onions without them sprouting, you should place them in a mesh bag, basket, or woven bag to create gaps for air circulation. Creating air vents allows the onions to breathe and prevents them from becoming spoiled or soft due to low humidity.
If you don’t have a mesh bag, you can use a long string, tie it tightly around the purchased dried onions, and hang it in a well-ventilated area.
How to store dried onions to prevent them from sprouting: Hang them in a ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. (Image: Pinterest)
Keep the basket or bag of onions in a cool and dark place
The location where you store the onions also needs attention to prolong their shelf life. Place the basket or bag of onions in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area in the kitchen. Avoid placing the onions in places with extremely low temperatures (below 10 degrees) or high temperatures.
High humidity makes the onions prone to rotting. On the other hand, direct sunlight and high temperatures can cause the onions to become dry and withered.
Even with careful storage, you should regularly check the bag of onions to remove any that show signs of spoilage, softness, or color changes. Avoid situations where mold and moisture spread to other onions in the bag, causing widespread damage.
Note: Do not use plastic bags or airtight containers to store onions as they will prevent air circulation, causing the onions to quickly spoil, mold, and sprout.
Avoid storing onions together with potatoes
Do not store dried onions together with potatoes because the moisture from the potatoes can make the onions damp and spoil faster. Additionally, potatoes can easily absorb the aroma of onions, resulting in a different taste for the cooked dish.
Tips for storing peeled dried onions
Peeled or finely chopped dried onions should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for longer. If you only need to use a small portion of peeled or chopped onions for cooking, you can wrap the remaining portion in plastic wrap or a resealable plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator. With this method, you can keep the onions fresh for 2 to 3 days.
However, the best way to store peeled dried onions is to use a lidded container or jar, and place the remaining portion of onions in it; the onion aroma will not permeate other foods in the refrigerator.
If you want to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the pre-cut onions. After peeling the onions, rinse them thoroughly, drain them completely, chop them finely or leave them whole, place them in a zip-top bag or container, seal it tightly, and place it in the freezer. Frozen dried onions can be used within 1 to 3 months. Do not store them for too long as it will cause the onions to lose their distinctive flavor.
Source: VTC News
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How to store dried onions to prevent sprouting, molding, and preserve their flavor for a year
Ladies, learn how to properly store dried onions to have them ready for cooking whenever you need them. Check out the tips below!
How to store dried onions for a long time without sprouting.
Below are some simple tips that will help you preserve onions for months without sprouting or rotting.
