Can You Freeze Green Onions?
If you bought too many, or your plant was prolific, here's how you can keep green onions for future use.
Some of us call them green onions, others may know them as scallions, but regardless of the name they may go by in your kitchen, these mild members of the extended onion family are an incredibly versatile vegetable used in everything from a stir-fry or pancake to dips and salads.
As they are sold in bunches and tend to grow rather plentifully, you may also discover that you have a surplus from time to time. We are always doing everything we can to avoid food (or money) waste, so keeping these versatile onions for a future use seems like a wise idea.
So, can you freeze green onions? Yes, you can!
"Green onions freeze wonderfully for use in cooked recipes. They will keep their lovely green color and round shape," says Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education. Frozen green onions will still have a bright, savory onion flavor, but slightly milder than when used fresh. This makes them ripe for all sorts of recipes, from stuffing to a certain rather classic and flavorful dip.
Getty Images
Why Freeze Green Onions?
Freezing green onions are an easy way to extend their shelf life and keep you in ready supply of this ingredient whenever the need arises. There are lots of benefits to freezing green onions, too.
Prolongs shelf life: "Green onions, like many fresh herbs and vegetables, have a limited shelf life. Freezing them allows you to keep them fresh for a longer period, preventing waste,” says Lacy Larson, executive chef at Pacific Coast Fruit Company.
Convenience: Frozen green onions are readily available for use whenever you need them, without the need for frequent grocery store trips. This convenience can save time and effort in meal preparation.
Saving cash: "Buying green onions in bulk when they are in season or on sale and freezing them can help save money in the long run, as you'll have a supply throughout the year," Larson says. You can enjoy the fresh flavor of green onions even when they are out of season or unavailable locally.
Less food waste: "By freezing green onions, you reduce the likelihood of them spoiling and ending up in the compost or trash. This is an environmentally friendly way to minimize food waste," Larson says.
"Many times, I will buy a bunch of green onions when I really just need a couple stalks for a recipe, and other times I just want to use the green ends, and will have the white stalks leftover. By freezing what I won’t use that week, I’m reducing food waste and saving money,” Ziata says. Plus, pre-sliced green onions are so convenient to use straight from the freezer.
How To Freeze Green Onions
Follow these steps to properly freeze green onions:
Wash the green onions in cold water and pat dry.
Chop off and discard the root and any wilted tips on the green end.
Slice the green onion crosswise, keeping the white and the green ends separate, if desired.
Freeze in an airtight container. Once in the freezer, the green onions can be stored for three to four months.
If you plan on storing longer, like up to a year, you may wish to blanch the green onions first. “Blanching will help them retain their flavor and extend their shelf life by deactivating enzymes that will start to break down the vegetable," Ziata says. "Bring a pot of water to boil, add sliced green onions, and let boil for about 45 seconds. Drain and shock under cold water to stop the cooking." Pat dry with a towel, then freeze.
Tips For Freezing Green Onions
To have frozen green onions be their freshest and most flavorful when used later, you are going to want to take some special care when preparing them for freezing:
"To prevent the green onions from clumping together when frozen, lay them in an even layer on a parchment-lined plate. Freeze the slices on the plate, then transfer the frozen slices into an airtight bag or container for long-term freezer storage,” Ziata says. Always label and date anything you freeze.
Thawing Frozen Green Onions
The experts agree that you’re going to get the best consistency and texture by adding the frozen green onions directly to whatever it is you are cooking.
"Add the frozen slices right into the soup, chili, or stir-fry. Fold them into cornbread batter, savory muffins, or vegetable frittatas. If you make homemade bread, sauté the green onions in a little olive oil with some chopped peppers. Let cool to room temperature, then fold into the dough with some shredded cheese and bake for a delicious, comfort-food bread," Ziata says. And of course, this is also a great way to make scallion pancakes!
If you do want to thaw the green onions, you can safely thaw them in the fridge overnight and use in raw recipes like slaws and salads. Something to keep in mind though: "I don’t personally recommend it because it won’t have the same crispness as fresh," Ziata says.
Remove from the freezer: Take the frozen green onions out of the freezer when you're ready to use them. "Keep them in their airtight container or bag until you're ready to start," Larson says.
Thaw at room temperature: Place the container or bag of frozen green onions on the countertop, and allow them to thaw at room temperature. "This should take about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces and the room temperature," Larson says.
Thaw in the refrigerator: When thawing in the refrigerator, slow and steady wins the race. "For a slower but more controlled thawing process, you can place the container or bag in the refrigerator and let the green onions thaw overnight," Lawson says. This is a good option if you're planning to use them the next day.
Thaw in the dish: There's no need to thaw the green onions before cooking. "You can add the frozen green onions directly to your recipe without thawing if you're cooking them in a dish with moisture, like soups, stews, or sauces," Larson says. The green onions will thaw and cook with the other ingredients.
Using Frozen Green Onions
The whole reason you should freeze green onions is so that you can have them at their freshest for a longer window in order to use them in various recipes, and to that end, there are a lot of ways to use this ingredient straight from the freezer.
Directly into what you are cooking: For recipes that involve cooking, such as stir-fries, soups, or casseroles, just go ahead and add frozen green onions directly to the dish. "They will thaw and release their flavor as they cook," Larson says. You'll save time and effort because there is really no need to thaw.
Sautéing: If you're sautéing or stir-frying, you can add the frozen green onions to the hot oil or pan, and they will thaw and cook in moments. "You may want to add them early in the cooking process if you prefer them to be softer, or later for a milder flavor and a slightly firmer texture," Larson says.
Garnish: We use items like fresh herbs to garnish our dishes, but chopped up green onions are also excellent for this use and making the finished plate presentation-ready. "While the texture of thawed green onions may not be ideal for fresh garnishes, they can still be used as a garnish on hot dishes like baked potatoes, pasta, or grilled meats," Larson says. Sprinkle them on top just before serving.
Seasoning: You can also use frozen green onions as a seasoning. For example, "you can add them to marinades, salad dressings, or dips,” Larson says.
Omelets and scrambled eggs: Frozen green onions can be added directly to omelets or scrambled eggs without thawing. "They will thaw and infuse your breakfast dishes with a burst of flavor," Lawson says.
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
