Can You Freeze Cooked Onions? Freezing Guide

Onions are a popular vegetable to cook with. It’s can be used to make soups, stir fry, salad topping, and salsa. If you’re planning to cook some onions, you may end up with some leftovers. Since you don’t want those onions to go to waste, would freezing cooked onions be an option?

Yes, you can freeze cooked onions. Since the onions are cooked, it’s best to store them in the amount that you’ll be using since they will stick together in one clump. Properly stored, cooked onions will last up to 6 months in the freezer.

Does Cooked Onions Freeze Well?

Cooked onions freeze quite well due to the high content of moisture that it has. Since it has a lot of water, it has a higher chance of getting freezer burn.

To avoid cooked onions from freezer burn, try to remove as much water from the onions as possible. This can be done by using a paper towel and gently pressing on the onions to remove any excess water from them.

Freezing Cooked Onions

When it comes to onions, there are several different methods of cooking onions. For freezing, it’s best that the onions are cooked by themselves. If you add other ingredients to the onions, they may not freeze well.

For food like stir fry, it may not turn out as you would like if you’ve tried to freeze it. Since stir fry includes a lot of ingredients, it can cause the onions to become soggy and lose some of their flavors.

Therefore, it’s best to cook onions separately if you’re planning to freeze them later.

How To Freeze Cooked Onions

To freeze cooked onions, it’s simple and straightforward. It just requires some time prepping them for the freezer.

Below are the process of freezing cooked onions:

  1. After the onions are cooked, wait for them to cool down to room temperature. This will avoid condensation in the container during freezing.
  2. Using a clean and dry paper towel, gently press on the onions to remove any excess moisture.
  3. In an airtight container or freezer bag, portion out the cooked onions. Since it will stick together, it’s best to freeze just the amount you’ll need.
  4. If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove any air that may be in there before sealing it. For an airtight container, make sure there are no leaks in the lid before sealing it.
  5. Label the bag or container with the freezing date and place them into the freezer.

If you’re using freezer bags and want to save space in the freezer, you can stack them on top of each other. Just make sure it’s completely frozen first before you do so.

How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Onions?

If the cooked onions are prepared and properly stored, they will last for 6 months in the freezer. After that time, it will still be safe to eat, but the quality of the onions will deteriorate.

Only use an airtight container or plastic bags that are approved for freezer usage. These containers are designed to withstand the extremely cold temperature of the freezer without breaking or cracking.

How Do You Defrost Cooked Onions?

The great thing about cooked onions is that you don’t need to thaw them. Since it’s already cooked, you can simply add them to your recipes straight from the freezer.

This is why it’s recommended to freeze them in portions. You just need to take out the amount you need without having to worry about any leftovers.

However, if you don’t need them right away, you can defrost cooked onions by leaving them in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes. Leaving them in the fridge to thaw for too long could cause them to be soggy from the melting ice.

Can You Refreeze Cooked Onions?

It’s not recommended to refreeze cooked onions. After it has thawed, the onions will become even softer. While you can freeze them once more, you may not enjoy the taste and texture of the cooked onions when it thaws.

However, if you have a change of plan, you can refreeze cooked onions only if they haven’t completely thawed yet.

Can Frozen Cooked Onions Go Bad?

Frozen cooked onions can go bad and it’s usually due to them being frozen for a prolonged period of time or it’s left to thaw for too long.

In the freezer, cooked onions have a shelf life of about 6 months. After that time, the quality of the onions will start deteriorating. The texture of the onions will start to break apart and you’ll lose some of the flavors.

If the cooked onions are in the freezer for a year or longer, it’s best to just throw them out. At this point, the onions will have no more taste to them and they will be really soggy when you thaw them.

Besides the freezer, leaving the cooked onions to thaw for too long could cause them to go bad. Cooked onions don’t need to be thawed though. They can be added straight from the freezer to the meal while it’s cooking.

If you’ve left cooked onions to thaw in the fridge, it will take no longer than 30 minutes for it to thaw completely. After about an hour, melted water will start to make the onions soggy. For that reason, it’s best to take the cooked onions out from the freezer when you’re ready to use them.

Other Questions about Cooked Onions

Can you freeze onion soup?

Yes, you can freeze onion soup and it will freeze well. Before placing the onion soup in the freezer, make sure it’s cooled completely first. Place it into an airtight container that’s made for freezer usage. By doing so, you can keep onion soup fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can you freeze cooked onion rings?

Yes, you can freeze cooked onion rings. This is a great way to save time by cooking them first. Once it’s cooked, let it cool down to room temperature first. On a tray, lay a sheet of parchment paper and place the onion rings on it. Place them into the freezer for about 2-3 hours. Once it’s completely frozen, remove the tray from the freezer and immediately transfer the onion rings to a freezer bag.

When you’re ready to eat some onion rings, remove them from the freezer and simply reheat them in your oven for 5-10 minutes.