It’s only natural for your onions to eventually sprout, but does that make them unsafe to eat?
Plus learn how to keep onions from sprouting in the first place.
You may be left wondering whether it’s still safe to eat sprouted onions.
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Why Do Onions Sprout?
Those hairs are the onion roots.
And like a flower bulb, an onion isn’t the whole plant.
Onions grow stems, and sometimes a flower emerges from the top of that stem.
(You may sometimes see stems attached when you purchase onions at farmers' markets.)
And this is what happens when you see a sprouted onion.
Can You Still Eat an Onion That Has Sprouted?
There’s nothing toxic or unsafe about consuming either sprouted onions or garlic."
That ugly duckling will be loved."
The biggest controversy about eating a sprouted onion seems to revolve around its taste and texture.
And its texture can border on leathery.
While some cooks may find the flavor off-putting, others may embrace its strong flavor.
[It] would be good in a potato salad."
What Can You Do with a Sprouted Onion?
Just keep in mind that the flavor will be more intense.
To mellow them even more, soak them in cold water for 15 minutes.
How Can You Tell If an Onion Is Bad?
To be on the safe side, it’s best to discard the affected produce.
Any produce that’s still good should be rinsed and scrubbed.
We also recommend cleaning and disinfecting the bin or container where the offending onion was stored.
What’s the Best Way to Store Onions to Prevent Sprouting?
Refrigeration also prevents your onions from getting exposed to light.
Like many plants, an exposure to light, especially sunlight, will encourage an onion to sprout.
