How Long Food Lasts

Produce / Fresh Vegetables

How long do onions last?

Quick answer

Onions (yellow, white, red, etc.) keep 2 months in the fridge and 10-12 months in the freezer.

  • Yellow, white, red, etc. 2 months in the fridge · 10-12 months in the freezer
  • Spring or green 1 week in the fridge · 10-12 months in the freezer
Form

Fridge

From purchase

2months

Freezer

Can be frozen: yes

10-12months

Pantry

1month

Mine has been in the fridge for

Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?

United States
Yes
United Kingdom
Only after cooking

How long do onions last in the fridge?

  • Yellow, white, red, etc.2 monthsFrom purchase
  • Spring or green1 weekFrom purchase
  • UK advice2 daysAfter cooking

Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.

Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.

How long do onions last in the freezer?

  • Yellow, white, red, etc.10-12 months
  • Spring or green10-12 months
  • UK advice3 months

Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Your freezer should be around -18°C

A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.

Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.

Can you freeze onions?

Yes.

How to defrost onions safely

  1. In the fridge
  2. In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
  3. In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
  4. Cook it from frozen

You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm

It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted

There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.

Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.

It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.

Can you refreeze onions?

  • In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
  • In the United StatesYes

You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that

Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.

Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.

Can onions be kept out of the fridge?

  • Yellow, white, red, etc.1 month
  • Spring or green1 month

All forms at a glance

FormFridgeFreezerPantry
Yellow, white, red, etc.2 months10-12 months1 month
Spring or green1 week10-12 months1 month
UK advice2 days3 months-

What the official sources say

“Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.”

“Onions, yellow, white, red, etc. 1 month 2 months 10-12 months”

Frequently asked questions

How long do onions last in the fridge?

Yellow, white, red, etc.: 2 months; Spring or green: 1 week; UK advice: 2 days.

How long do onions last in the freezer?

Yellow, white, red, etc.: 10-12 months; Spring or green: 10-12 months; UK advice: 3 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.

Can you freeze onions?

Yes.

Can you refreeze onions?

In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.

Sources

We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.