Can Onions Go Bad?
Yes, onions can absolutely go bad. Knowing the signs of spoilage is crucial to preventing food waste and ensuring food safety.
Several indicators signal that your onions have gone bad:
- Squishy Texture: A soft, mushy onion is a clear sign of spoilage. Discard these immediately.
- Unpleasant Odor: A strong, foul smell indicates that the onion has started to decompose.
- Excess Moisture: Excessive moisture or wet spots are warning signs of bacterial growth.
- Brown or Dark Spots: The appearance of brown or dark spots signifies decay.
- Softened Texture: Even if not completely mushy, a noticeably softened texture suggests the onion is past its prime.
According to multiple sources, like This Healthy Table (https://thishealthytable.com/blog/onion-gone-bad/), if your onion has gone bad, it will be quite obvious. These sources emphasize that squishy, stinky, or overly moist onions should be discarded.
Storage and Shelf Life
Proper storage significantly impacts how long onions last. Whole, unpeeled onions can last for two to three months in a cool, dry place, as noted on Quora (https://www.quora.com/How-long-can-I-keep-uncooked-unpeeled-onions-if-stored-in-the-fridge). However, cut onions should be refrigerated in a sealed container and used within about a week (https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/7707/how-long-should-i-keep-a-cut-onion). Chopped onions can last up to eight months when frozen (https://www.southernliving.com/food/veggies/onions/how-to-store-onions).
While soft onions might still be usable (https://www.reddit.com/r/Cooking/comments/8qxawy/how_long_do_onions_last/), it's best to err on the side of caution and discard any that show signs of spoilage.
