Green onions or scallions are one of the most popular ingredients. Generally, they incorporate flavor or color to a menu. In terms of versatility, eating green onions can either be cooked or raw and can also be for garnishing. That’s why it is very essential to have them available on hand. The problem is the proper way on how to keep green onion fresh.
Basically, if not stored properly, the scallions may develop limp and get slimy before you had to use them. In this blog post, we will give you some helpful tips on how to store scallions and maintain its freshness. Aside from that, we will also share some important tricks that you have to remember in consideration of green onion’s storage.
How to Keep Green Onion Fresh
Green onions or scallions are onions’ offspring that are harvested just prior to their maturity and become a big, paper-skinned onion. The scallions basically have the best and sweet taste. That’s why it is very important to know how to keep green onion fresh. Below are storage tips to maintain the freshness of the scallions.
Short Term Storage
Basically, storing the green onions may depend on your need in using it. For example, you will have to use scallions within a few days, then how to keep green onion fresh only requires leaving them over the countertop. However, make sure that the kitchen does not have a very high temperature. Keep in mind that in three days time, green onions begin to show indications of wilting.
Long Term Storage
Maybe you want to know how to keep green onion fresh and could last for more days. So, the best solution for this is to store them inside the refrigerator. The green onions basically include a greater amount of moisture compared to the old onions.
That’s the reason why storing them on room temperature for long hours in a few days may generally result in molds. Basically, storing them inside the crisper drawer of the fridge while being sealed in a plastic bag will let them fresh for two weeks time.
Long Term Storage: One Way on How to Keep Green Onion Fresh
Keeping the freshness of the green onions generally depends on controlling the moisture. What they actually need is a humid surrounding so that their firmness would last. Yet, accumulation of excess moisture will trigger the beginning of rot.
How to Keep Green Onion Fresh: The Jar Storage Technique
There are other types of onions that do not necessitate storing inside the refrigerator. With this in mind, the refrigerator is not an essential place to house green onions. Basically, the jar storage technique is one way on how to keep green onion fresh through storing it over the windowsill.
Step 1-Hold the scallions
Initially, look for a jar of a heavy-bottomed type and is generally tall. Put the onions over there and let it hold the green onions. Make sure that the jar is tall enough so that it won’t flop over once stored inside.
Step 2-Fill with water
Put the green onions inside the jar with the root-side down position. Afterwards, measure around an inch or two of water and fill the jar with it. Just ensure that the water is either cold or in a room temperature so that you would successfully achieve the way on how to keep green onion fresh.
Step 3-Place in the windowsill
Lastly, the step on how to keep green onion fresh through the jar storage technique is by placing the jar over the windowsill. As simple as that! With this step, you will discover that the scallions will maintain its freshness and will also grow at the same time. Just a friendly reminder here on how to keep green onion fresh: make sure to change or add some water every few days.
How to Keep Green Onion Fresh: The Jar-Refrigerator Process
Generally, proper storage technique is one best way on how to keep green onion fresh. The jar-refrigerator process is basically suitable in case there is no windowsill inside your kitchen. The refrigerator is not essential storage for scallions; however, you can still put it there if needed.
Basically, the procedure on how to keep green onion fresh using the jar-refrigerator process also uses the same procedure with that of the jar storage technique. The only difference is that the jar-refrigerator process needs covering for the onion tops using a plastic bag.
Step 1-Hold the scallions
Initially, look for a jar of a heavy-bottomed type and is generally tall. Put the onions over there and let it hold the green onions. Make sure that the jar is tall enough so that it won’t flop over once stored inside.
Step 2-Fill with water
Put the green onions inside the jar with the root-side down position. Afterwards, measure around an inch or two of water and fill the jar with it. Just ensure that the water is either cold or in a room temperature so that you would successfully achieve the way on how to keep green onion fresh.
Step 3-Put covering on the tops of the scallions
Look for a plastic bag such as a simple grocery bag or a zip-top bag. Basically, cover the top portions of the green onions using the bag. Eventually, secure the bag a little bit to keep some amount of humidity in it.
A zip-top bag only requires proper closing of each side. In case you are using a grocery bag, use rubber band or string in closing the part where it gets in touch with the jar’s mouth.
Step 4-Refrigerate
Lastly, the step on how to keep green onion fresh through the jar-refrigerator process is to put the jar inside the refrigerator instead of the windowsill. Also, don’t forget to change the water in a few days to guarantee the way on how to keep green onion fresh.
How to Keep Green Onion Fresh: The Paper Towel Method
Below is the paper towel method, one of the proper storage technique on how to keep green onion fresh. This procedure will also give off humidity without the addition of extra moisture. Check the step-by-step method here to properly know how to keep green onion fresh.
Step 1-Take the root out
Basically, in order to cut the root of the green onion, you need to begin with lining up the green onions. Afterwards, cut the roots off.
Step 2-Divide in to two
Let the line-up of the green onions stay in place. Eventually, cut them into two so that they may fit inside the bag.
Step 3-Dry the divided green onions
Generally, one way on how to keep green onion fresh is to remove the extra moisture by patting off the green onions using a paper towel.
Step 4-Wrap it off
Get some pieces of paper towel, around three sheets of towel suitable in one bag. Moreover, wrap it around the green onions. Put half of the green onions over a group of paper towels. Eventually, place the other half into the other group of paper towels. Do not wrap the paper towel around the green onions tightly to prevent it from crushing.
Step 5-Put it on in a bag and refrigerate
Finally, the last step on how to keep green onion fresh is to place the set of green onions into the plastic bag. It is better to put some label with the date on each plastic bag. Seal the bags afterwards and store it on the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
*Note:
Once you are in need of green onions, gently remove them from the plastic bag. Take off the excess moisture by patting them down. In case you will not able to use it all, rewrapped the green onions back into the bag and store it again.
Other Ways of Storing Green Onions: Freezing It
One more way of storing and preserving green onions easily and conveniently is through freezing. Generally, frozen scallions can be enjoyed all-year-round. Moreover, frozen scallions are typically perfect as toppings in soups or hot meals without the need for thawing prior to use. Below is the step-by-step method on how to keep green onion fresh through freezing:
Step #1
Basically, wash the scallions using cold water.
Step #2
Put the onions over the countertop and dry them out by patting. Generally, use paper towel in drying to avoid freezer burn.
Step #3
Cut the green onions in rounds using a sharp knife.
Different methods of cutting green onions
Basically, one way on how to keep green onion fresh involves cutting it into rounds. However, there are also other ways of cutting the green onions that contribute to its freshness. Check here for those various cutting methods.
Cutting green onions in rounds
- Initially, hold the knife vertically to the stalks of the green onions.
- Traversing through the leaves and stems, slice the green onions up straight through rocking movement to achieve thin rounds.
Generally, green onion rounds are frequently used for garnishing meals and creating colorful touches over meals. It is basically perfect to top it over Spicy Noodles with Pork or Scallions and Bok Choy.
Cutting green onions diagonally
The diagonal cut of green onions is another way on how to keep green onion fresh. Typically, this diagonal cut is good for sautéing stir-fries and skillet meal recipes. The perfect way to cut green onions diagonally is through the following step:
- Basically, slice the roots of the green onions. You can either discard them or set it aside in case you consider regrowing.
- Through a 45-degree angle, hold the knife against the end of the bulb.
- Generally, slice it with about 1/2 inch width.
Diagonal cutting method of the green onion primarily involves the white and light green portions of it for cooking. Yet, you can also cut it into larger portions through the diagonal cut as a garnish. You may generally use this over Chicken Pad Thai recipe.
Cutting green onions lengthwise
Generally, raw green onions in strips or curls are very convenient for garnishing through a lengthwise cut on the leaves. Here is the basic way of cutting green onions lengthwise as part of the way on how to keep green onion fresh.
- Initially, take off the green leaves from the light green and white bulb tips portion of the onions. You may consider setting aside the tip of the bulb for other uses.
- Generally, work only with a single leaf tube per cutting time. Gently slice the green leaves through thin slices using a paring knife or the topmost edge of the chef’s knife.
- Basically, put the sliced strips of green onions in a bowl with iced water. This will result in green onion curls for garnish.
- Eventually, allow it to stand for 30 minutes time.
- Drain it and pat it dry prior to garnishing.
You can usually garnish this green onion curls on top of the Scallion-Ginger Beef & Broccoli. However, you can also use the rounds and diagonal cut green onions on that recipe.
Step #4
Afterwards, put the finely diced scallions in a Tupperware with lid closure or freezer bag.
Step #5
Fill it until the top, but remember not to push them down.
Step #6
Lastly, place it inside the freezer.
Some Tricks to Remember
In relation to the way on how to keep green onion fresh, here are two simple life hacks that you must have to know:
Basically, you need to wash the green onions through running water. Afterwards, you must have to pour water on the drinking glass. You may also consider using a repurposed jar or easy-to-wash jar. Moreover, pour on the water which is sufficient enough to soak the roots.
Trick #1: Water, water, water!!!
There will generally be times that the water dries out after a few days or weeks. In case that happens, try to rinse the scallions again, most likely the bulbs and the roots. Eventually, pour on shallow water again on the glass. In times, the water will become brown; just change the bulbs, roots, and the water.
Trick #2: Trim the crop tops
Another good trick on how to keep green onion fresh and stay longer is to give a quick haircut over the scallion’s top portion. This way also makes the green onions perfectly fit on the top shelves of the refrigerator. You can basically take off the rubber bands at the bottom part of the green onions but don’t forget to leave the rubber band on top portion in place. Through this, the green onions will stay on an upright position with the ease of pulling out the piece that you need.
Final Thoughts
There are actually lots of ways on how to keep green onion fresh. By considering using any of those methods on storing the green onions or scallions, you can basically maintain the shelf life of it. Aside from that, keeping it fresh for a long time period will let you and your family enjoy this finicky ingredient.
Moreover, maintaining the freshness and keeping their best taste provides great advantages in terms of budget. It also makes the dishes deliciously-tasting and reduces food waste at the same time. Although it may generally take time for a single stalk of green onion to make a difference, the freshness and quality of the scallions give way for the better food industry.
