How to Store Green Onions and Prevent It from Wilting

Green onions, more commonly known as scallions, are a versatile ingredient. I first tasted this ingredient when I visited Asian countries. This is the reason behind the unique taste of Korean and Chinese cuisines.

Whenever I am craving for these cuisines, I make sure to include this ingredient in my recipes. And since I love Asian cuisines, I always have a stock of scallions at home. I love how green onions add a hint of freshness to any dish I make, but if there’s one thing I hate about them, it is the fact that they easily wilt.

Because of this, I tried experimenting with ways on how to store green onions, and I have discovered the two most effective ways on how to do that.  I will share them with you in this article.

What You Will Need

Aside from the fresh green scallions, you will need the following materials for proper storage:

Method #1:

  • Glass jar (big enough to contain your green scallions)
  • Cold Water
  • Plastic bag (big enough to cover the top portion of the jar)
  • Rubber band

Method #2:

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Paper towel
  • Freezer bag

Steps on How to Store Green Onions

As I have mentioned above, there are two effective ways on how to store green onions.? Both come with their own pros and cons. I will discuss them below.

Technique #1: In a Glass Jar

This technique is more convenient, but it can consume much space in your refrigerator. If you wish to save time and you have lots of space in your fridge, this method is for you. This is the same storage method used for carrots.

Step 1. Pour water into the jar.

The water must consume about 1-2 inches of the jar.

Pro tip: Use a glass jar that is heavy on the bottom so it can stay upright when placed inside the refrigerator.

Step 2: Place the root ends of the green onion in the water.

Fresh green onions are sold with their roots still attached. When you submerge the roots in water, it provides the green onions the water they need to stay fresh.

Step 3. Cover the jar with the plastic bag.

You can use either a zip-lock or freezer bag for this. Make sure to cover the top portion of the container and the upper part of your green onions.

This step is done to maintain the right level of humidity when the jar is placed inside the refrigerator.

Step 4. Secure the plastic bag.

Using a rubber band, cinch the plastic bag around the top part of the container.

Please keep in mind that the jar need not be airtight so you should avoid fussing too much about this step. You just have to make sure that it is secured enough to keep the humidity in.

Step 5: Place the glass jar in your refrigerator.

Place the glass in a part of the refrigerator where it won’t be bumped to avoid spillage or breakage.

Step 6. Change the water inside the jar after every few days.

If you will still not use the green onions for a few days more, it is a must that you change the water inside the jar to avoid mold growth.

As you replace the water from the jar, you can also rinse off the root sections of the green onions.

Technique #2: Refrigerate It

This method requires more work than the first technique. But it can help you save space in your refrigerator. If your refrigerator is almost always full (like mine), this is the option for you.

Step 1. Remove the root section of your green onions.

Place the green onions in a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut off the root section of the green onions.

After that, cut the green onions in half so it can fit your freezer or zip-lock bag. Try fitting them inside the bag. If there are still a few portions that stick out of the bag, slice them off.

Step 2. Remove moisture from the green onions.

If the green onions still have some moisture, try removing it by wiping off each piece of green onion with a paper towel.

Step 3. Wrap them up with paper towels.

Grab a bunch of green onions and place them in the middle of a large paper towel. Fold the paper towel in a way that they perfectly cover up all the parts of your green onion.

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Place the first bunch of green onions in the ziplock bag. Repeat this step until you can wrap all the green onions. You can place multiple paper towel wraps inside the zip bag but make sure that the green onions will not be squashed.

Step 4. Refrigerate the bag.

Seal the bag well and place it inside the refrigerator.

Pro Tip: I usually place mine at the bottom part of my refrigerator—in the vegetable drawer. Also, you should avoid putting heavy items on top of the plastic bag to prevent squashing the green onions.

Step 5. Take out green onions as needed.

If you are already going to use some of the scallions, take out a paper towel wrap. Open it up and gently wipe down the stalks to remove moisture.

Take a closer look at the green onions. If any parts have already softened, remove and discard it then use the remaining portions in your dishes.

To know more about green onions, please check out this video

Conclusion

Green onions wilt quickly, but with proper storage, you can help keep them fresh for longer. The methods I have mentioned above may require a bit of work but rest assured—it is worth the effort!

With the two methods that I have mentioned above, you are assured that you will have a stock of fresh green onions that will keep your dishes tastier and more delicious!

If you have your own little secret on how to store green onions, please share it with us below!

Reference Links:

  1. https://mykoreankitchen.com/how-to-store-green-onions/
  2. https://www.thebalanceeveryday.com/how-to-store-green-onions-scallions-1389341
  3. https://www.care2.com/greenliving/4-ways-to-extend-the-life-of-green-onions.html

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