How long do onions last?

Checked 24 Oct 20264 official publishers, 7 sources

Bulb (yellow, white, red): 2 months in the fridge, 10-12 months in the freezer for best quality and 1 month in the pantry.

Official stance

“Bulb onions store well in a cool, dry place. Freezing is usually not recommended for preserving whole onions, but see below if desired.” Extension

Storage times for onions by state and place
State	Pantry	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Bulb (yellow, white, red)	1 month FoodKeeper Extension	2 months FoodKeeper Extension	10-12 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension
Green or spring	1 month FoodKeeper	1 week FoodKeeper	10-12 months best quality FoodKeeper
Powder	3-4 years FoodKeeper	Not stated	Not stated

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Pantry	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Bulb (yellow, white, red)	1 month	2 months	10-12 months
Nebraska Extension	Bulb (yellow, white, red)	1 month	2 months	10-12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Green or spring	1 month	1 week	10-12 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Powder	3-4 years	-	-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

“Onions fresh dry net bag 32°F cool dry area 6 months” Extension
“Dice (about 1/4-inch pieces). No blanching is required. ... Onions frozen this way are best used within a few months.” Extension
“Young green onions may be chopped for salads and cooking and frozen without blanching, but they will not be crisp.” Extension
“Water blanch for 3 minutes (smaller onions) to 7 minutes (larger onions) ... These would be considered suitable for cooking only.” Extension
“Onion and paprika change flavor during freezing.” Extension

What the sources say

For yellow, white and red onions, FoodKeeper gives 1 month in the pantry, 2 months in the refrigerator and 10 to 12 months in the freezer, all from the date of purchase.¹

The Nebraska Extension chart lists the same three times in its row for onions.²¹

Green or spring onions keep 1 month in the pantry and 10 to 12 months frozen in FoodKeeper, but only 1 week in the refrigerator.³

Onion powder, commercially bottled or bought in bulk, lasts 3 to 4 years in the pantry.⁴

Utah State University Extension lists 6 months for fresh dry onions held in a net bag in a cool, dry area at 32 °F.⁵

The National Center for Home Food Preservation says bulb onions store well in a cool, dry place, and that freezing is usually not recommended for whole onions.⁶

It still gives methods: diced onions in pieces of about 1/4 inch need no blanching and are best used within a few months, while whole bulbs are blanched 3 to 7 minutes by size and are suitable for cooking only.⁶

Chopped young green onions can be frozen without blanching, though they will not be crisp.⁶

On its page about foods that do not freeze well, the National Center notes that onion and paprika change flavor during freezing.⁷

Rules that apply here

Freezing and refreezing Fridge and freezer temperature

Garlic Potatoes Celery

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 294: Onions, yellow, white, red, etc.. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Onions, yellow, white, red, etc.. DOP_Pantry: 1 Months; DOP_Refrigerate: 2 Months; DOP_Freeze: 10-12 Months
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Onions 1 month 2 months 10 to 12 months (freezing onions)
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 295: Onions, spring or green. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Onions, spring or green. DOP_Pantry: 1 Months; DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 10-12 Months
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 475: Onion powder, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Onion powder, dried, commercially bottled or purchased in bulk. DOP_Pantry: 3-4 Years
Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Onions fresh dry net bag 32°F cool dry area 6 months
Freezing Onions - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Bulb onions store well in a cool, dry place. Freezing is usually not recommended for preserving whole onions, but see below if desired.Dice (about 1/4-inch pieces). No blanching is required. ... Onions frozen this way are best used within a few months.Young green onions may be chopped for salads and cooking and frozen without blanching, but they will not be crisp.Water blanch for 3 minutes (smaller onions) to 7 minutes (larger onions) ... These would be considered suitable for cooking only.
Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Onion and paprika change flavor during freezing.
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.