The Absolute Best Ways To Keep Scallions Fresh
Scallions, or green onions, are undoubtedly a must in the kitchen. Absolutely versatile, these crispy green stalks, which can be used raw or cooked, not only bring an incredible flavor but also a great aroma to any dish in which they are included. Unfortunately, green onions are as good as they are delicate ... and if you're not careful, it is very likely that your scallions will be rotten much sooner than you would like.
While StillTasty says green onions can stay fresh for up to 10 days if stored properly (and even longer if frozen), handled the wrong way you'll find wilting stalks and brittle skins faster than anticipated. The good news is that, by making a few simple changes to your storage routine, you can extend the shelf life of scallions by many days and always have them on hand, ready to be chopped and served.
Store scallions in water in the refrigerator
According to Cook's Illustrated, keeping your scallions in a jar of water in the refrigerator is one of the most effective storage methods and can keep the green onions fresh for more than a week. The process is very simple: just place the stalks in a jar with about an inch of water (enough to cover the roots) and then cover with a plastic bag. This will keep them fresh and ready to use when needed, the same way you'd store celery or broccoli.
However, it is important to keep in mind that if days go by and you have not yet used your green onions, you'll need to change the water to prevent them from rotting or drying out. Cook's Illustrated recommends you do this every three days, but there is no reason to not do so more often if you are concerned.
Wrap scallions in a damp paper towel
If you find it inconvenient to keep a jar of water in the fridge, luckily there is another successful method to keep green onions fresh for a long time. Per My Korean Kitchen, you simply have to wet a paper towel and then use it to wrap the stalks. The outlet notes that it is super important that the moisture level is controlled — too much water will cause the scallions to rot, while too little water will cause them to dry out.
Simply store your wrapped scallions in a plastic bag and leave it in the fridge. Again, if your scallions have not been used for several days, it is best to replace the towel with a new one and trim off any dry or dead looking ends. Sue, the mastermind behind the Korean cooking blog, says this method has allowed them to store the green onions for over four weeks!
You can keep scallions on the windowsill
This is undoubtedly the best way to keep scallions fresh, not only because they will last almost forever, but also because it allows them to keep growing while being stored, creating an inexhaustible source of scallions. According to The Kitchn, under the right conditions the stalks with grow fast — within a week of being left on the windowsill, their scallions grew almost four inches!
Like the first method mentioned, this one also requires placing your green onions in a jar with enough water to cover their roots. But instead of storing them in the fridge, the jar should be left on a windowsill, where it will also get sunlight. With the necessary care, changing the water as it gets dirty and adding more as the sun evaporates it or if the onions start to dry out, this method should keep your scallions fresh for weeks, if not months.
You can even transplant your scallions to a pot with soil or your garden if you want to make sure they last as long as possible. (Allrecipes says that, if left in the jar with water, your scallions will eventually stop growing.) Either way, this storage method is sure to help keep your scallions fresh for quite a while, making the most of your purchase and helping you avoid food waste.