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Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing onions to save time and money. Learning how to freeze onions (diced, green, sliced, rings, and whole) is a great way to preserve this delicious staple of so many recipes.
Imagine what your meal prep is going to look like if you don’t have to chop an onion for every recipe you’re making.
My friend, that dream can come true if you take just a few minutes to chop and freeze them ahead of time! Freezing onions can change your dang culinary life.
Looking for more ways to preserve onions? Check out our post on how to make onion powder and dehydrating onions.
Can You Freeze Onions?
Heck yes, you can! They’re the perfect staple to have in your freezer for fast weeknight meals and speedy soups and stews.
They’re also perfect in French Onion Pork Chops, Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup, and Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
What is the best way to freeze onions?
Flash freezing, or the act of freezing each piece of food individually, allows the food to be stored without clumping together.
In this instance, we’re going to put the onions on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze them for a few hours. Easy peasy!
Can You Freeze Green Onions?
Yes! However, they won’t really hold their shape once defrosted. I would use them only for flavoring dishes and not as a garnish. Follow the directions in the printable recipe card below for freezing diced onions if you also want to preserve green onions.
How to Store Frozen Onions
Once frozen, you can transfer the onions to freezer storage (we love these reusable silicone bags) and scoop out whatever amount you need without having to hack away at a hunk of onions. Other options include:
- Freezer-safe Ziploc plastic bags
- Wide-mouth canning jars:
- 8 oz jam jars = 1 cup chopped onions
- 16 oz pint jars = 2 cups chopped onions
- 32 oz quart jars = 4 cups chopped onions
- Freezer-safe reusable snap-tight containers
How Long Do Onions Last in the Freezer?
Frozen onions will last in a conventional freezer for six months. If you have a deep freeze/stand-alone freezer, you’re safe to keep them in there for up to a year.
TOOLS FOR FREEZING Onions
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment or Silpat
- Reusable freezer bags or wide-mouth mason jars
- Straw (optional)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Food processor if you have a butt-ton of onions to process
Pro Tips
- If you have a lot of onions to chop at once, use the “pulse” or “chop” function on a food processor.
- If you have a lot of onions to freeze at once, lay another piece of parchment on top of the onions and top with an additional layer.
- Make sure you’re using sturdy freezer-safe storage to keep the onion smell contained.
- If onions make you cry, chill whole onions in the fridge for 1 hour prior to cutting.
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How to Freeze Onions
Ingredients
- onions
Instructions
Freezing Diced Onions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silpat.
- Chop or dice the onions to your preference.onions
- Place the onions on the baking sheet and move them around so they aren't too clumped up, and place the tray in the freezer. Freeze for 3 hours.
- Break apart any clumps that have formed on the baking sheet and transfer the onions to freezer-proof storage.
How to Freeze Onion Rings/Strips
- Drop the sliced onions into boiling water for 15 seconds.
- Once the time is up, strain the onions through a colander and immediately add to a bowl of ice water for two minutes.
- Strain again and set aside to drain. Allow onions to dry on a clean towel.
- Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze for 3 hours. Transfer to freezer storage.
How to Freeze Whole Onions
- Blanch small onions for 3 minutes and large onions for 7 minutes.
- Once the time is up, immediately add the onions to a bowl of icewater for five minutes.
- Strain and set aside to drain. Allow onions to dry on a clean towel.
- Place on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze for 5 hours. Transfer to freezer storage.
Notes
- If you have a lot of onions to freeze at once, lay another piece of parchment on top of the onions and top with an additional layer.
- Make sure you’re using sturdy freezer-safe storage to keep the onion smell contained.
- Frozen onions will last in a conventional freezer for six months or a deep freezer for a year.
- If onions make you cry, chill whole onions in the fridge for 1 hour prior to cutting.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve found for us, if I freeze onions on a baking sheet first then put into a container, it makes my whole fridge/freezer smell like onions for days! So I just dump them all into a ziploc bag and freeze. I just whack the bag on the counter to get a loose chunk to use when I want some. I know it is not a measured amount and that I will eventually rip a hole in the bag, but those things are worth it to me to not smell the onions forever!
You gotta do what you got gotta do! 🙂
I accidentally left my onions overnight in the freezer before bagging them up and there was no smell. It’s a deep freezer so perhaps they froze more quickly?
I deleted the repeat comment for you. No problemo.