🧅
How long does onions (whole) last?
Updated 2026-05-13 · USDA FoodKeeper & FDA guidelines
Pantry / counter
2 months
Cool, dark, dry — never with potatoes
Refrigerator
2 months
Cut onions in airtight container
The short answer
Onions (whole) lasts as long as you store it correctly — which can mean anywhere from a few days on the counter to a year in the freezer. The numbers above represent best quality per USDA and FDA guidelines, not absolute safety limits.
Why these numbers vary
Whole bulb onions. Storage life depends on temperature consistency, humidity, packaging, and how fresh it was when you got it. Refrigerators that swing between 38°F and 45°F shave days off these numbers; vacuum-sealing or freezing extends them.
How to tell if onions (whole) is bad
- Soft, mushy
- Sprouting (cut and use rest)
- Black mold at neck
- Strong sulfur smell
Storage tips
- Keep separate from potatoes — they spoil each other
- Mesh bag in cool pantry
- Cut onions go in fridge airtight
Ad slot · article-mid
Frequently asked questions
How long does onions (whole) last in the pantry / counter?
Onions (whole) lasts 2 months in the pantry / counter. Cool, dark, dry — never with potatoes
How long does onions (whole) last in the refrigerator?
Onions (whole) lasts 2 months in the refrigerator. Cut onions in airtight container
How can you tell if onions (whole) is bad?
Watch for: Soft, mushy; Sprouting (cut and use rest); Black mold at neck.