Health Benefits of Onions and How to Store Them

As an avid home cook and former pro baker, I’ve always looked at onions as a flavor builder more than anything else. They’re the foundation of many recipes, and they can even improve your health, according to researchers. When you eat them regularly, onions can potentially support your digestive, heart and eye health. Onions also naturally possess antibacterial properties, and they may be able to lower your cancer risk.. 

All of that for a root vegetable? Yes. But, they’re only as good as they are fresh. A spoiled onion is one that’s overly sprouted, soft, dry or moldy, and it’s not very useful for flavor building or for health boosting. Since onions are often purchased in bulk, storing your bulbs correctly is important, especially as holiday festivities approach. Onions spoil when they’re exposed to light, moisture and excessive heat. To avoid those conditions, I always keep mine in a wire basket in my pantry, and they’ve lasted for months with this method. 

Caxxa Wire Basket 

This Caxxa basket is similar to the one I own, which is no longer available. The open wire design allows for air circulation, which is key to staving off spoilage. Proper ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup. I’ve stored many alliums (like garlic, onion and shallots) in containers only to find that the lack of air can accelerate spoilage. The same goes for the refrigerator, which is a high-humidity environment. I’ll always put my basket into my pantry because it’s cool, dark, and dry.

In addition to its wire material, this bowl’s size and shape can help keep onions fresh. It’s round, so it’ll fit large, bulbous alliums neatly. The wide diameter (over 11 inches) allows you to place several onions in one layer, which is another effective storage tactic. Less stacking means more breathing room! 

Because of the bowl’s airy design, shoppers say produce like onions “can breathe all around.”  Users also report that “it’s sturdy, serves its purpose and for the price, it’s perfect for what I need!” With over 1,130 perfect ratings, it’s safe to say that this basket is a certifiable staple. 

So get the most out of your onions by keeping them on hand, fresh and ready to use. A wire basket placed in a cool, dry area is a tried-and-true way to do this. Oh, and another tip: Never store it with your potatoes! Onions can cause these spuds to spoil faster than you can eat your Thanksgiving plate. 

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At the time of publishing, the price was $18.