Why You Need to Store Your Onions and Potatoes Separately
The surprising reason these two pantry staples need to be kept apart.
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By Alice K. Thompson for Food Network Kitchen
Alice is a contributing writer and editor at Food Network.
Been stashing long-lasting potatoes and onions together? It's understandable: Many of us snuggle them into a single basket or bin since storage recommendations for both are so similar. But, as it turns out, the only place they should really mingle is in your cooking. Read on to learn everything you need to know about storing potatoes and onions, plus get some delicious recipes to bring them together at mealtimes.
Storing Potatoes and Onions: What to Know
Onions and potatoes store best in a similar environment: a cool, dry place. And both like to have a ventilated container, like a paper bag, basket or open bin. Stored properly, these pantry staples will last for months.
But, here’s the catch: Storing potatoes and onions together will drastically shorten their shelf life. The reason? Onions produce ethylene gas, a gas that causes potatoes to spoil prematurely. Conversely, potatoes’ high moisture content can cause onions to turn brown and mushy. Here are the details, plus proper storage recommendations for each.
What is Ethylene?
Ethylene is a plant hormone that encourages produce to ripen. While many fruits and vegetables contain ethylene, a few common varieties emit enough ethylene gas to affect produce stored around them. Onions are one of these, as are apples, bananas and avocados. That said, not all produce is affected by ethylene; oranges, garlic and berries, for instance, are not ethylene sensitive.
You may have heard that if you want fruits like bananas or avocados to ripen quickly you should seal them in a paper bag, or in a paper bag with an apple. This shows ethylene at work: A buildup of ethylene gas in the bag will accelerate ripening. On the flip side, it’s easy to see why ethylene producers should be kept away from produce you don’t want them to ripen and spoil.
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How Far Away Should Onions and Potatoes Be Stored?
Since ethylene gas is the culprit of premature spoilage, you want onions and potatoes far enough apart so normal ventilation will keep them fresh. Mostly that means not keeping them in the same bag, basket, box or drawer. A few feet apart in an airy pantry should be fine.
Can Garlic Be Stored with Onions?
Yes, garlic heads can be stored alongside onions. This is because garlic isn’t sensitive to the ethylene onions omit. Don’t, however, toss the bulbs into a basket with your spuds — garlic wants to stay dry and potatoes are high in moisture.
How to Store Potatoes
Store potatoes in a cool, dark place with good ventilation. Potatoes need airflow to stay fresh, so store them in a container like a basket, open box or breathable bag. And don’t refrigerate them; the fridge is too cold and will trigger the potatoes’ starches to convert to sugars. Get more details on storing potatoes here.
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How to Store Onions
Choose a cool place away from sunlight to store onions. They can be stored on the counter as long as it’s away from the stove or a window. Onions like to stay dry, so don’t store them in anything that could trap moisture; a wire basket or paper or mesh bag is ideal. And like potatoes, the cold environment of the fridge encourages onions’ starches to turn to sugars, hastening spoilage, so don’t refrigerate whole onions. Get more onion storage tips here.
Recipes for Potatoes and Onions
Sure, they need to be kept apart in your cupboard, but by all means let them mingle in the pan! They’re one of the most successful duos for dishes across the globe. Here are a few of our favorite recipes combining the two.
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Potatoes and onions are the stars of the frittata-like egg dish known as tortilla espanola. It’s typically served as a tapa in Spain but you can also cut it into generous wedges for an excellent brunch or light meal.
This recipe inspired by Indian chana aloo gets heft from Yukon gold potatoes and chickpeas, and its flavor and crunch from fried onions. You can buy premade crispy fried onions or fry your own.
Teri Lyn Fisher
This picture-perfect stew is inspired by the rich and delicious peanut-based dishes of West Africa. Sweet potatoes provide lush color and flavor, and yellow onions bolster both the meatballs and the sauce.
The potato-onion combo is a hallmark of chowders from across America. This recipe for New York’s famously tomatoey clam soup is packed with flavor and simple to make. You can even use canned clams if you like.
Teri Lyn Fisher
This gorgeously bubbly and browned casserole shows off russet potatoes and onions at their comfort-food best. An easy white sauce and a generous amount of grated Cheddar and baked ham makes them irresistible.
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