We love green onions — I often use sliced bits of the tops as a garnish, and I also use them in salads and cooking.
But I’ve always had a problem with them getting slimy in the refrigerator . . . or the tops totally drying out and becoming brown if I didn’t put them in the refrigerator.
Last summer, on a whim, I tried a new approach: I just stuck them in a glass of water. After a couple of days, a few of the tops wilted and then started to turn brown. Oops! I thought.
But I cut the wilting “leaves” off and used them in dinner that night, and put the bottoms back in the glass of water.
Not only did they stay good, they actually regrew their tops!
I now routinely keep green onions a couple of months or more — basically, I only buy more when I want to use the white part as well (say to dip in hummus) or because they’re not regrowing as fast as we’re eating.
TIPS to store your green onions this way:
- If you use chlorine in your water, don’t put the green onions in the water if you can smell the chlorine — too much chlorine will kill the roots. Let the glass of water sit for an hour or so until the chlorine dissipates, then put the green onions in.
- Keep the glass where it won’t fall or spill. I find that a drink holder in the cockpit is perfect on all but the roughest passages.
- They don’t have to be kept in sunlight but will grow faster if they are.
- Change the water every two to three days. You don’t need to use a lot of water; keep it at a level roughly even the top of the white part of the green onions.
- If a few leaves start wilting, remove them and use them (I find this happens when I bring some new ones home; rarely thereafter).
I store a lot of my veggies outside the refrigerator (there’s just no room in the tiny one I have) but I have to admit that this is one of my favorite tricks: not just no need for refrigeration, but they last longer and reproduce!
Want some help with that tiny refrigerator? Check out our step-by-step how-to:
Louise Stanley says
Will try this at home! Love your info!
Amy Marincel says
I tried them both. Same result. I’m currently using a PC.
The Boat Galley says
We’re working on it. You on Windows? What browser?
Amy Marincel says
Yes, Chrome. But it also didn’t work on my Android phone.
Amy Marincel says
Ed- I don’t think so but if it gets me all the way to the “your cart is empty” part, does that seem like ad blocker? I turned off the pop up blocker and that didn’t have any different result.
The Boat Galley says
We’ve figured out the problem . . . now just to fix it.
Amy Marincel says
Whew. Glad it wasn’t just me. =)
The Boat Galley says
Amy Marincel I just sent you a PM. Nope it’s not you.
The Boat Galley says
Ed Howe It’s a problem on the site. The developer is working on it.
The Boat Galley says
Amy — can you try clicking on the buy button now and see what happens?
Amy Marincel says
Giddy up! They both worked.
Thanks.
Amy Marincel says
The Boat Galley- Now it’s asking for a first name but there isn’t a space for that…..
The Boat Galley says
Okay . . . we’ll get that in there.
The Boat Galley says
Hang on a second . . .
The Boat Galley says
Can you try it one more time? I really truly think it’s solved now. And be sure to check your FB messages!
The Boat Galley says
Amy Marincel Can you try again? And check your FB messages — I’m giving you a copy free for your trouble, but I’d like to see if you can get to the payment screen (if you do pay, I’ll issue a refund)
Amy Marincel says
It must have gone to another part of my messages but I did find it….although it wouldn’t let me respond there. Thank you so much. I have to go through the whole payment process to see if it works. Last time it kicked me back after I hit “Pay’
Amy Marincel says
It appears to have worked! …..and don’t worry about it. You work hard and I love your articles. 😉
The Boat Galley says
It worked!!! Go ahead and download it from there and let me know when you have it and I’ll refund it. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Amy Marincel says
Got it. THanks again for all your hard work. You really don’t have to do that though.
The Boat Galley says
Amy Marincel Thanks but you really helped me.
The Boat Galley says
Amy Marincel I just processed the refund for you. If you have any problems with the download, send me an email and I’ll send you the files. carolyn (at) TheBoatGalley (dot) com
Amy Marincel says
Thanks a bunch. You have been a great help and inspiration. Take care.
Suzette Alispach says
Great tip! I seldom buy green onions for the very reasons you mention. But I do love them! I will definitely give this a try.
Karin Kleer says
Once you’ve used all the green you can cut an inch or so of the white part left, spindly roots still attached, replant and they’ll re-grow! Just keep sticking them into the same soil, cut off as much as you like. No need to buy more! I do this at home, and on the boat. When cruising, plant them in soil in a plastic cup with small holes punched into the bottom for drainage, and leave in a cup holder. Somewhere in the cockpit/sunshine is best.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I found they’re regrowing — or at least the green parts are — just in the water.
Coleen says
Carolyn, this method also works for keeping asparagus spears fresher a little longer. But they cannot regrow, alas.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Ohh, thanks. I should have thought of that!
Jim Shell says
Certain lettuce varieties have been reported to regrow in this same manner. I have not tried it but it does look like it will work on many green leafy vegetables.
Carol Zip says
I found that if I put a plastic bag over the onions, it helped keep the tops from browning and drying up.
Anonymous says
This is one of those “Huh! I did not know that!” things — I’m on my third bunch of green onions since early August — they keep growing and growing, but finally get a little spindly and it’s time for a new bunch. Soooo much better than using one or two then ages later finding a squishy smelly mess in the fridge. Since our boat fridge is only one drawer, we can’t waste that space! Now my onions sit in a small jar on a lipped shelf, secured with that plastic velcro-like stuff on the bottom..
Anonymous says
Yes, this works and they only took a few days to start growing.
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
Great idea! Thank you Carolyn.
On the subject of chlorine if you take on municipal water it is worth some time with Google to find the water utility and find out what compound they use. Chloramine for example bonds with the water molecules and doesn’t outgas, unlike pure chlorine or chlorine dioxide. If that is a regular problem for you there are drops you can get at a fish store to break the bonds.