Updated 29 July 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
Store whole onions in a cool, dry, dark place with good airflow, such as a pantry or a mesh bag, where they last one to two months. Keep them out of the fridge, which makes them soft, and away from potatoes, which speed each other’s spoilage. Once cut, refrigerate onions in a sealed container.
Whole onions: cool, dry, dark, airy spot, not the fridge, away from potatoes. Cut onions: fridge, sealed, 7 to 10 days.
Storing Whole Onions
- Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place with air circulation, like a pantry or mesh bag.
- Do not refrigerate whole onions; the damp cold turns them soft and moldy.
- Store them away from potatoes, as each releases gases and moisture that spoil the other.
- Kept well, whole onions last one to two months.
Storing Cut Onions
Once peeled or cut, wrap onions tightly or seal them in a container and refrigerate, where they keep for 7 to 10 days. If cutting onions makes you tear up, see why onions make you cry. Use airtight glass containers to keep the smell from spreading in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should onions be stored in the fridge?
Whole onions should not; the cold, damp environment makes them soft and moldy. Only cut or peeled onions belong in the fridge, sealed in a container.
Why shouldn’t you store onions with potatoes?
They release moisture and gases that make each other sprout and spoil faster. Keep them in separate, well-ventilated spots.
