How Long Do Green Onions Last (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 3 – 4 Weeks

Green onions, also known as scallions or spring onions are onions that taste milder than normal onions. The leaves of green onions are used as a vegetable, eaten raw or cooked. Its leaves are chopped and added to other dishes. They are one of the most versatile vegetables that one can get their hands on.

Green onions look nothing like normal onions. These onions are white and green. They belong to the genus Allium. The defining characteristic of this onion species is that it lacks a fully developed bulb. Green onions have hollow, tubular green leaves growing directly from their bulb.

Scallions are cooked or used raw as a part of various salads and form part of several Asian recipes. It is used in soups, noodles, seafood dishes, sandwiches, curries, and can form part of stir fry too. In China, green onions are commonly used together with ginger and garlic to cook a wide variety of dishes with vegetables and meat. The white part of the scallion is fried with other ingredients of the dish whereas the green part is used for garnishing and decorating the finished food.

How Long Do Green Onions Last?

The precise answer to how long do green onions last depends to a large extent on how and where the green onions are stored after purchasing them from the market. When they are properly stored, green onions can last up to 3 to 4 weeks.

To maximize the shelf-life of green onions, one can store them in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator.

Green onions, that are not stored properly, will start spoiling in a shorter duration of time. Those onions that start spoiling will become soft, mushy, and discolored. If one notices such pale onions that have an off smell or appearance, discard those immediately as they might not be fit for consumption.

Why Do Green Onions Last This Long?

When stored properly and efficiently, green onions can last longer for about 3 – 4 weeks without spoiling. To extend the shelf-life of green onions, it is best to store them in a clean plastic bag, inside the fridge. They have a shelf-life of about four days when stored outside the fridge. However, if green onions are stored in the fridge, they can last a few weeks without getting spoiled.

It is imperative to remember that the shelf-life of green onions will depend on how well they are stored. One should always ensure to clean and wash them thoroughly. Some of the tips to store green onions to make them last longer are as follows. After green onions are purchased, remove the rubber band (if any). After that, they can be put in a plastic bag in such a way ensuring that the green stalks of the green onions are not folded or stripped.

One can also freeze the green onions in the freezer. Freezing them will ensure to make them last longer than they would have last by storing them in the refrigerator. One can wash, dry them properly, chop them into fine pieces (if desired), and store them in airtight containers or freezer bags. In this way, green onions can also be kept inside the freezer where they can last for about several months or even a year.

Conclusion

Although green onions are known by different names like spring onions, scallions, etc around the world, it is widely loved by all. Green onions have a young underdeveloped white base, called bulb with long green stalks. Both these parts of the green onions can be used in various recipes.

Green onions provide an amazing taste and flavor when added to soups, salads, and various other Asian cuisines. They are also commonly used for garnishing several dishes. When one uses green onions, it automatically enhances the taste of the food prepared with them. Green onions can be consumed either cooked or raw. Either way, green onions taste delicious and are healthy, and can last for few weeks when stored properly in the fridge

References

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1012547004545
2. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/student_orgfarm/6/