Refrigerator is one of the most useful inventions for the mankind, as we can prevent the food from getting spoiled and keep them stored for longer duration. Everything from vegetables to milk is kept in the fridge to keep them safe and edible for long duration. We often tend to store chopped vegetables in the fridge to reduce the time taken in morning for preparing breakfast/lunch meals.
But, it is advised that we must not keep chopped onions in the fridge. But, do you know the real reason why? Read more to find out.
Why avoid storing chopped onion?
Onion is known to have a bad smell and contains Sulfur, which causes tears while chopping. Keeping chopped onion in the refrigerator can cause bacteria to grow in it. There are pathogenic bacteria in the environment, due to which onion becomes oxidized, and the onion will get spoiled. Consuming this onion, can cause stomach issues and can even make you feel sick. Not just that, but the nutrients present in onions also are lost when kept for long in a refrigerator. The onion juice that comes in your hand as you cut an onion, comes in contact with air which can cause bacteria to grow in the onion. That's why it is forbidden to keep cut onions in the refrigerator.
Tips to store onions in the fridge
- Chopped onions can be stored in the refrigerator, just make sure that you use a box for this. Keeping onion in a container will keep it fresh and you can use it for a long time.
- To keep onions fresh for a long time, keep them cut in a polythene bag. By doing this the onion will not get spoiled.
- If you have a busy lifestyle, and want the chopping to be done at night, then, you can store the onion in an airtight glass jar and then put it in the refrigerator.
- Never keep onions in an open container, if you have to do the chopping prior to your cooking schedule. Make sure to cover with a lid, always.
ALSO READ: 7 reasons why you should add raw onions to your daily diet
FAQs
Keeping chopped onion in the refrigerator can cause bacteria to grow in it. There are pathogenic bacteria in the environment, due to which onion becomes oxidized, and the onion will get spoiled. Consuming this onion, can cause stomach issues and can even make you feel sick.
Why should onions not be stored in the fridge? ›
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
For this reason, he says it's best to store onions in a cool, dry place like a cellar, pantry, or even a garage. While they can be stored whole in the fridge, Yee notes that this causes the onion to convert starch to sugar, and can result in soft or soggy onions.
Can we keep chopped onions in the fridge? ›
You can store extra cut or chopped onion in an airtight container or plastic bag in your fridge, but make sure to use it within five to seven days. The longer onions sit in there, the stronger they smell, and you don't want your fridge to reek of onions, infusing everything else in there.
Why are my eyes more sensitive to onions? ›
But do you know why your eyes burn? When you cut into an onion, you are actually breaking open microscopic cells filled with enzymes that turn into volatile gasses when they escape. This causes a chemical reaction and creates a lachrymatory agent similar to the chemicals in tear gas.
Does ginger become toxic once refrigerated? ›
Refrigerating garlic can lead to mold and cancer, so buy unpeeled garlic and keep it outside. Storing half an onion in the fridge can cause mold and bacterial growth. Refreezing ginger can result in mold and kidney/liver failure.
Is it okay to put garlic and onions in the fridge? ›
Small amounts of things that like it moist like greens, roots, and tubers can be stored in the refrigerator, and things that like it drier like onions, garlic, and winter squash can be stored on the counter top.
What vegetables should not be refrigerated? ›
WHAT VEGETABLES SHOULD NOT BE REFRIGERATED? Vegetables that should not be refrigerated include avocados, bell peppers, onions and potatoes. Some vegetables that you may want to refrigerate include mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and asparagus.
Should you refrigerate potatoes? ›
According to the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) new advice, potatoes can be now stored in the fridge or in a cool, dry place. Previously, experts had warned consumers against storing potatoes in the fridge, because reports have highlighted the potential health risks of keeping them at low temperatures.
How to tell if cut onion is bad? ›
Employ the sniff test: An onion that is decomposing may smell like rotting food. Avoid onions that have specks of what may look like black dirt on the skin. This is actually mold. Avoid onions with cuts or breaks in the skin, as these channels offer an opportunity for bacteria or mold spores to enter.
Can you put chopped onions in the freezer? ›
To freeze chopped onions, wash bulbs well and chop as fine as you like. Thawed onions tend to lose their shape, so if you chop pieces super fine in a food processor, your thawed product may resemble mush. Slip chopped onions into zipper bags, arranging in a thin layer. To use, break off a piece of the frozen layer.
These ingredients are considered to be "rajasic" or "tamasic" in nature, associated with heightened activity and a negative influence on spiritual practices, meditation, or mindfulness. Thus, to maintain a pure and calm state of mind, some individuals choose to avoid them.
Why do we cry when we cut onions? ›
When an onion is cut, certain (lachrymator) compounds are released causing the nerves around the eyes (lacrimal glands) to become irritated. These compounds consist of methionine and cystine that are part of the amino acid family. (Protein is made up of several of these amino acids grouped together.)
What chemicals are in onions? ›
Onion (Allium cepa) is a member of the family Amaryllidaceae and one of the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium. Onion has plentiful chemical compounds such as allicin, quercetin, fisetin, other sulphurous compounds: diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide.
Is garlic poisonous when refrigerated? ›
Putting Garlic in the Fridge
Storing fresh garlic in the fridge is generally not a good idea. This is because garlic bulbs are low-acidity, making them prone to Clostridium botulinum, better known as the culprit behind botulism.
When should you throw out ginger? ›
Other visual cues that indicate it's time to toss the ginger include blemishes or mold on the exterior or cut ends, or a discolored interior (dark yellow, brown, gray cast) when sliced. Texture: Fresh ginger is firm, so if it's soft or mushy to the touch, it's a tell-tale sign that the ginger has gone bad.
Which fruit when kept in the fridge becomes poisonous? ›
Apples are the fruit that can potentially turn poisonous if kept in the fridge for an extended period of time. This is due to the release of ethylene gas by apples, which can react with other fruits and vegetables to produce a toxic compound called formaldehyde.
Do onions get moldy in the fridge? ›
Black mold on onion is caused by aspergillus niger, a common fungus in soil. To discourage mold growth, store onions in the refrigerator up to two months. Rinse off small amounts of the black mold on the outer scales of the onion under cool, running tap water or cut off the affected layers.
What is the best way to store leftover onion? ›
THE BOTTOM LINE: Store leftover halved onions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in a zipper-lock bag or airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. Alternatively, chop them and freeze them for up to six months. Be sure to use the stored onions only in cooked applications.
What should you not store near onions? ›
It's not just potatoes you need to worry about. Other produce that releases ethylene gas, such as apples, citrus, and bananas, will accelerate an onion's degradation, as will moisture-rich fruits such as melons and cucumbers, says Alibrandi. An onion's absorbent nature also means it easily picks up smells.
Why shouldn't you refrigerate tomatoes? ›
The Short Answer: Don't Refrigerate Tomatoes
The standard rule is to keep tomatoes out of the refrigerator. It all comes down to science: Tomatoes contain an enzyme that reacts to cold temperatures, causing the cell membranes to break down and leaving you with a piece of fruit that's mushy and mealy.
