How to freeze onions

Barney Desmazery

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Learn the best way to freeze onions, including the technique of open freezing, and save on waste in the kitchen, then try our favourite onion recipes.

By freezing surplus onions, you'll not only cut down on food waste but save yourself time in the kitchen when you come to cook. Onions are, after all, the base for so many dishes.

Discover top tips for other foods you can freeze, then browse our favourite freezable recipes. Read our review of the best fridge freezers for expert buying tips.

How to freeze onions

If you can fit a baking sheet into your freezer, then line one with a silicone sheet or some baking parchment. If you don’t have room, find a shallow container that will fit and line that.
Peel the onions and then chop, slice or quarter them.
Scatter the pieces over the sheet so they are not touching. (Use a separate sheet for each size of onion pieces.)
Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours, until the onion is frozen through. Tip the pieces into containers or freezer bags and label them.

Frozen onions will keep for 3-6 months in the freezer – any longer and the texture or flavour might deteriorate.

Open-freezing the onions on trays first avoids clumping and makes it easier to portion out.

Want some recipe inspiration? Check out our favourite onion recipes for quiches, curries and soups.

Want more advice on freezing food? Read our expert guides...

Healthy freezable recipes
Freezable recipes for new parents
Our best ever meal prep recipes
10 freezer essentials and recipes ideas
Best fridge freezers

Which ingredients are you looking to freeze? Leave a comment below...

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