If you have onions in your freezer, you always have some on hand when you need them.If you want to maintain the flavor of the onions, you need to prepare them properly.While you can freeze chopped onions, you may want to puree or blanche them before you use them to boost their flavor.
Step 1: Cut the onions with a knife.
Use a knife to cut off the top of the onions.The onion should be sliced in half.It is not a good idea to chop the onions any smaller than 12 inch (1.3 cm) pieces because they may end up becoming encased in ice when you freeze them.If you freeze onions for use in dishes such as fajitas, you can slice them instead of chopping them.
Step 2: The onions should be in a freezer bag.
Transfer the onions to a plastic bag when you chop them.Place them in a single flat layer in the bag to prevent them from clumping together when they freeze.Seal the bag by squeezing all the air out.If you want to prevent onions from sticking together when frozen, place them in a single layer on a baking dish.When they are partially frozen, you can place them in the freezer bag and not worry about them clumping together.Use plastic bags that are thick enough to protect the onions from freezer burn and keep the onion scent in the bag.Double your bags if they seem too thin.
Step 3: To freeze the bag, label it.
Before throwing the onions in the freezer, you should use a pen or marker to label the bag with the date and type of onion.Make sure the onions are in a single layer when you place the bag in the freezer.You can keep onions in the freezer for up to 6 months.Stacking onion on top of each other will save space in the freezer.Make sure the onions are in a single layer.
Step 4: Put the onions in a container and chop them up.
Remove the top and bottom of the onions with a knife.Remove the papery skin by peeling it off.You can use the knife to chop the onions.
Step 5: Place the pot of water in the boiling point.
Put the stockpot on the stove.The water should come to a full boil after you set the burner to high and allow it to.The amount of water you should boil depends on how many onions you have.For every pound, use 1 gallon of water.
Step 6: The onions need to be added to the pot.
The onions should be in the pot when the water comes to a boil.Depending on how many blanched onions you have, allow the onions to cook for 3 to 7 minutes.The longer onions are left in the boiling water, the better.It is easier to place chopped onions in a wire basket and then set them in the boiling water if you use a metal strainer.You can easily remove them when they are done.If you don't have a basket or strainer, you can remove them from the boiling water with a spoon.
Step 7: The onions should be placed in a bowl of cold water.
When you remove the onions from the water, place them in a bowl of ice or cold water.Allow the onions to sit in the cold water for the same amount of time that you boiled them to stop cooking.The ice or cold water that you place the onions in after boiling should not be more than 60 degrees.When onions are in the cold water, stir them several times to make sure they are cooling evenly.
Step 8: Place the onions in freezer bags.
When the onions have cooled down, drain them in a strainer.Remove the excess water by shaking and blotting it with a clean towel.Place them in the freezer when they are dry.To keep track of how long the onions are in the freezer, label the bag with the date.
Step 9: Cut the onions into small pieces.
Remove the top and bottom of the onions with a knife.Prepare the onions for pureeing by cutting them into pieces.You don't need to chop or dice the onion, just cut it into chunks that are small enough to fit in a blender.If you want to know how small you should cut your onion, use the pitcher from your blender.You should cut the onion into small pieces if it is not large.It is possible to cut it into eighths in a large pitcher.
Step 10: The onions should be placed in a puree.
Put the onions in a blender when you cut them.Hold down the button until the onions are ground into a puree.If you freeze a lot of onions, you will need to puree them in batches.It is more difficult for the appliance to puree when the pitcher is over filled.When pureeing onions, you may need to push down on the onions to get them into contact with the blades.Before placing the ladle on the pitcher, set the handle of the metal ladle through the opening in the blender's lid.The rounded end of the ladle should be inside the pitcher, so when you start pureeing, you can press down on the onions.The bottom will not get caught in the blades because it is rounded.
Step 11: You can transfer the puree to ice cube trays.
After pureeing the onions, use a spoon to pour the puree into the ice cube tray.Allow the puree to fully freeze and then place the tray in the freezer.To keep the onion smell out of the freezer, cover the ice cube tray with a sheet of plastic.
Step 12: The onion ice cubes should be left in the freezer.
Carefully remove the onion ice cubes from the tray.Store them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.You can use the onions within 6 months if you label the bag with the date you froze them.These onion cubes can be used to add sauces, gravies, and soups.