Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (2024)

How to Store and Handle Vidalia Onions

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (1)

The water content in Vidalia onions is much higher than in regular storage onions. This characteristic contributes to Vidalias’ sweet taste, but it also shortens their shelf life and makes them more susceptible to bruising.

To keep them at their sweet best, Vidalias must be handled and stored with care by the grower, the retailer and you, the consumer.

The key to preserving Vidalias is to keep them cool, dry, and separated.

When stored properly, our Vidalias can last as long as 1-2 months on the counter, or 3-6 months when placed into refrigerator veggie bin (mentioned below).

How to Store Sweet Vidalia Onions

Option 1
  • One of our favorite places to store Vidalias is the veggie bin in the refrigerator. Wrap each bulb individually in paper towels, which will help absorb moisture, and place them in the crisper with the vents closed. Also consider placing those wrapped onions into a brown paper sack, loosely closed at the top (onions prefer dark, cool, dry places). A few will naturally go bad, but many will keep for months. Buy a big bag at the end of the season and you should have Vidalias through the holidays!
Option 2
  • In the legs of clean, sheer pantyhose – believe it or not this is a great way to store sweet onions. Tie a knot in between each Vidalia and simply cut above the knot when you want to use one! Be sure to hang in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area.
Option 3
  • On elevated racks or screens, not touching, and in a cool, dry place.
  • Don’t store with potatoes – they make onions spoil quicker.

How to Preserve Sweet Onions for Cooking

Vidalias can be dried
  • Chop evenly and spread on a cookie sheet, then bake using the lowest temperature setting. Remove when thoroughly dry but not brown. Store at room temperature in airtight containers.
Vidalias can be chopped and frozen
  • Chop evenly and spread on a cookie sheet, then place in the freezer. When completely frozen, remove and seal in freezer containers or bags. Remove the amount you want as needed.
These flavorful sweet onions can be frozen whole
  • Peel, wash, and core jumbo Vidalias.
  • Drop into a plastic freezer bag
  • Once frozen, the Vidalias can be removed like ice cubes. Whole frozen Vidalias can be baked, but note that freezing changes the onion’s texture, so frozen onions should be used for cooking only.

Source: VidaliaOnions.org Storage & Handling

We ship Vidalia Onions farm-to-door

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (2)

5 lb. box of
Vidalia Onions

$45

Shipping Included

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (3)

10 lb. box of
Vidalia Onions

$50

Shipping Included

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (4)

25 lb. box of
Vidalia Onions

$80

Shipping Included

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (5)

40 lb. box of
Vidalia Onions

$120

Shipping Included
Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com (2024)

FAQs

Vidalia Onion Storage Tips | VidaliaOnions.com? ›

Wrap each bulb individually in paper towels, which will help absorb moisture, and place them in the crisper with the vents closed. Also consider placing those wrapped onions into a brown paper sack, loosely closed at the top (onions prefer dark, cool, dry places).

What's the best way to store Vidalia onions? ›

Vidalia Onion Storage & Prep Tips
  1. The best way to preserve sweet onions and to prevent bruising is to store them in a cool, dry place and separated from each other.
  2. Always handle sweet onions carefully. ...
  3. Wrap sweet onions separately in paper towels or newspaper and store in the refrigerator.

Can you slice and freeze Vidalia onions? ›

Ways to preserve Vidalias for cooking:

Store at room temperature in airtight containers. Chopped and frozen. Chop onions evenly, spread on a cookie sheet, then place in freezer. Once completely frozen, remove and seal in freezer safe containers or bags.

How do you make sweet onions last longer? ›

Take each bulb and wrap them in a dry paper towel to help manage moisture, and make sure to place them in the crisper with all vents closed. This is the easiest way to extend the life of your sweet onion.

What is the best container to store onions? ›

How to Store Onions. Whole onions should be stored at room temperature in a well-ventilated container, such as a wire basket, perforated plastic sack or open paper bag. Whether you have red onions, Vidalia onions, Spanish onions or even shallots, they're best stored whole.

What's the best way to keep onions the longest? ›

Ideally, onions should be stored in a cool, dark place between 45 and 55 degrees F. Whole, raw onions will last two to three months when stored in a cool, dry place. Places that provide these conditions may include your cellar, pantry, unheated basem*nt, or garage.

Is it better to freeze onions raw or cooked? ›

Not only do onions freeze exceptionally well, it truly is as easy as chopping them up and chucking them in the freezer. There is no need to cook them first, unless, of course, you'd like to be able to quickly add the depth of flavor that caramelized onions provide to a dish.

Do onions get mushy after freezing? ›

Frozen onions will be soft and aren't recommended for raw dishes or recipes where you want them crisp. I also do not use frozen onions in recipes where onions are the main attraction – like caramelized onions or French onion soup. For those recipes I choose the best fresh onions I can find.

Can onions be vacuum sealed and frozen? ›

Onion, along with garlic, shouldn't be vacuum sealed at all. Vacuum sealing fresh onions, garlic and mushrooms can lead to bacteria growth which can cause botulism – a very dangerous, potentially lethal, disease.

How to store onions in a garage? ›

Keep storage onions in a cool, dark, and dry place. Moisture and light lead to mold (ew) and sprouting (annoying, though not a deal-breaker), so stow your storage onions (red, yellow, and white as well as shallots and the diminutive pearl and cippoline) in a dry, well-ventilated basket, bin, or large bowl.

Is it better to store onions in the fridge or pantry? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While they can be stored whole in the fridge, Yee notes that this causes the onion to convert starch to sugar, and can result in soft or soggy onions.

How do you store Vidalia onions long term? ›

The key to preserving Vidalias is to keep them cool, dry, and separated. When stored properly, our Vidalias can last as long as 1-2 months on the counter, or 3-6 months when placed into refrigerator veggie bin (mentioned below).

Can Vidalia onions be frozen? ›

Vidalia Onions can be chopped and dried in the oven. Use the lowest setting and remove when thoroughly dry but not brown. Store at room temperature in airtight containers. Vidalia Onions can be frozen.

How to store onions in summer? ›

Because of their higher water content, spring/summer onions bruise easily and have a shorter shelf life. If you want to enjoy them as long as possible during their season, follow these simple tips. Spring/Summer Onion Storage Tips: Store onions in a cool, dry, ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.

Do onions last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While they can be stored whole in the fridge, Yee notes that this causes the onion to convert starch to sugar, and can result in soft or soggy onions.

Can you store onions in a Ziploc bag? ›

Do not wrap onions in plastic or store in plastic bags. A lack of air circulation will reduce shelf life. Onions should feel firm and dry, be free of gray or black mold, and should not have any visible sprouting.

Can I freeze onions for later use? ›

Not only do onions freeze exceptionally well, it truly is as easy as chopping them up and chucking them in the freezer. There is no need to cook them first, unless, of course, you'd like to be able to quickly add the depth of flavor that caramelized onions provide to a dish.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 5444

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.