Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of onions (not pickled) last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened onions refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned onions after opening, refrigerate in covered glass or plastic container.
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How long do opened canned onions (not pickled) last in the refrigerator? Canned onions that have been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.
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Are canned onions safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided they have been stored properly, the can or package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially canned onions will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the onions will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened canned onions, freeze them: to freeze canned onions, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do canned onions last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - onions that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long do canned onions last after being frozen and thawed? Onions that have been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; onions that were thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened canned onions are bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the onions: if the onions develop an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded.
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Discard all onions from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
