If you’ve ever bought onions, garlic, or ginger only to find them sprouting, rotting, or drying out too quickly, then you know how frustrating it can be.
Especially when you need them for cooking and they’ve gone bad.
These three ingredients are common in most kitchens, but if not stored properly, they can spoil faster than expected.
So, how can you keep your onions, garlic, and ginger fresh for months without losing their quality? Let’s get into it.
Onions are best kept in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Follow these steps to keep them fresh:
1. Use a mesh bag or basket
Avoid plastic bags because they trap moisture, which makes onions rot faster. Instead, store them in a mesh bag, paper bag, or an open basket where air can circulate.
2. Keep them in a dark, cool place
A pantry, cupboard, or any dark and cool spot (around 10-15°C) is ideal. Avoid storing onions near potatoes because potatoes release moisture, making onions spoil quickly.
If you’ve already sliced or chopped an onion, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and make sure to use it within 7 days to prevent it from absorbing other food smells.
Garlic lasts longer than onions, but only if stored correctly. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
1. Keep it in a dry, cool place
Like onions, garlic should be kept in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place. A mesh bag, a paper bag, or a basket works best.
Refrigerating whole garlic can cause it to sprout quickly, making it taste bitter.
3. Store peeled or chopped garlic properly
If you’ve peeled garlic cloves, store them in an airtight container in the fridge and use them within two weeks. Minced garlic can also be stored in olive oil in the fridge for up to a month.
Ginger can dry out or become mouldy if not stored properly. Here’s how to keep it fresh for months:
Place unpeeled ginger in a ziplock bag and store it in the fridge. This keeps it fresh for 3-4 weeks.
2. Freeze ginger for long-term storage
To store ginger for months, freeze it. Simply place unpeeled ginger in a freezer bag and freeze it whole. When needed, grate it straight from the freezer. No need to thaw.
If you’ve already peeled ginger, store it in a jar with water and change the water every few days.
This method keeps ginger fresh for up to a month.
With these simple storage tips, you can keep your onions, garlic, and ginger fresh for months! No more wasting money on spoiled ingredients. Just remember to store them in the right place, with the right conditions, and they’ll stay fresh.
