Do you ever end up with leftover chopped onions that ultimately get thrown out? Well no need to waste anymore chopped onions because I'm going to tell you about how to freeze onions!
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Now I know what you're thinking:
Can you freeze onions?
The short answer is yes. Whole onions can be frozen as long as you peel and blanch them first, but today I'm going to focus more on chopped onions (and in case you missed it, I also put together a tutorial for how to chop an onion).
You know how you'll sometimes be preparing a meal and you end up with more chopped onion than you need? It happens to me all the time. And I really hate food waste. So if I can avoid wasting ingredients, I'll certainly take the extra step (not that there's much work involved in this). The great thing is that you can save and freeze it to use on a later date.
Here's what you need to know about freezing onions:
- Since they're chopped, the onions don't have to be blanched. But you can if you want, it won't hurt them.
- Frozen onions will keep for 3-6 months.
- You do not have to thaw them to use- I've added them directly to a pan of oil to saute (like when I'm making my grandma's Peas with Onions, which is how I most frequently use my frozen chopped onions). Just be careful that the oil doesn't splatter. You could also add directly to soups and stews.
- Be mindful about how you intend to use them, as thawed onions don't hold their shape extremely well. They work great in cooked dishes, but since the shape and texture can be affected by freezing, if the recipe calls for raw onion, it's probably best to chop a fresh one.
Here's what you'll need to freeze onion:
- A good Chef's Knife
- A Cutting Board
- Zipper bags for storing the onions
- A freezer (Duh. Guys, I'm not going to link this because I'm pretty sure you all have a freezer if you're reading the post).
How to freeze onions
Equipment
- 1 small zipper bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced raw onion
Instructions
- Chop the onion to your liking.
- Measure them out to freeze in whatever portions you'd prefer (I usually go with half cup or 1 cup measurements).
- Place the onions into zipper bags.
- Push the air out of the bag and seal it well.
- Label it with the contents, the measurement and the date. Place in freezer
- When it comes time to use, you can thaw them in a refrigerator or just add them right into what you're cooking.
Notes
Nutrition
One of my favorite recipes that features chopped onions is:
Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Bread Rolls
I also love this recipe which features chopped onions:
You can find a full index of my recipes here.
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