Ingredient guide
Cooking With Onions
Storage that prevents sprouting and the cooking stages that build flavor.
How to store onions
Cool, dry, dark, and ventilated — away from potatoes, which speed spoilage.
How long does onions last?
1–2 months whole; 7–10 days cut and refrigerated.
Signs it has gone bad
Soft, mushy layers, dark mold at the neck, or a fermented smell.
Cooking notes
- Sweating takes 5–8 minutes; true caramelization needs 35–45 minutes on medium-low.
- Salt early to draw out moisture and speed softening.
Quick ways to use up onions
- Base for nearly any soup or sauce
- Caramelized for sandwiches
- Quick-pickled for tacos