'Genius' kitchen storage tip to stop onions from sprouting and rotting

It's a common annoyance when onions start to go bad shortly after purchase, but it might be down to where you're stashing them in your kitchen. , along with their allium cousins, should steer clear of the fridge because the speed up the conversion of starch into sugar.

Cooking expert and Little House Living founder Merissa has highlighted that the damp conditions inside a refrigerator can lead to onions turning soft, mushy and even mouldy prematurely. She explained: "While whole onions can be stored in a fridge, it is not recommended. That is because whole raw onions absorb moisture quickly and can turn softer in the fridge."

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Melissa assures that if onions are kept "properly" in a cool, dry place, they can remain fresh for over three months post-purchase.

How to store whole onions to keep them fresh

The golden rule for onion storage is to dodge moisture and extreme heat, which means cupboards or drawers are your best bet.

Melissa advised: "Store your onions in a dry [spot] where moisture cannot seep through to keep them from spoiling or rotting. Avoid storing onions in areas such as under the sink or in the basement, where it is humid."

She explained: "If onions are stored in a hot area, they will start drying out and sprouting, which can lead them to rot and spoil quickly. If they get too cold, onions will become moist, lose their hardness, discolour, and even mouldy".

While it's okay to keep onions on your countertop, it's crucial to shield them from sunlight to prevent sprouting and rotting, reports .

It's essential to ditch the supermarket plastic packaging for onions and opt for an alternative that promotes airflow, like a paper or mesh bag.

Melissa advised: "Plastic bags will invite a great deal of moisture and make the onions rot faster than you want them to."

So, what about storing sliced onions? Once you've cut into an onion, its shelf life dwindles to just a few days, and this is when refrigeration becomes necessary.

Melissa said: "Sliced, chopped, and cooked onions should always be stored in the fridge. These types of onions are not suitable for pantries and will rot quickly outside your fridge.

"Half-cut onions should be wrapped tightly in cling film or plastic wrap and then put into an airtight container, while chopped onions should be put in a plastic zipper bag."

To prevent your onions from spoiling prematurely, store them in a container to protect them from ethylene gas, which is released by certain produce and accelerates ripening.

Onions are highly susceptible to ethylene, and storing them with other veggies can lead to rapid sprouting and spoilage.

When stored properly, peeled onions can stay fresh for seven to 10 days in the fridge, while unpeeled onions can last between 10 to 14 days.