Onions are a staple in just about every kitchen, adding that perfect kick to our favorite savory dishes. But if you’ve ever reached into your pantry only to find a green sprout poking out of your onion, you might have hesitated. Many home gardeners and cooks wonder: is it still safe to eat? Here’s the lowdown on what to do with those sprouting bulbs.
Sprouting Onions
The short answer is yes—sprouted onions are totally safe to eat! Unlike potatoes, which can develop toxins when they turn green, onions don’t become poisonous. However, you will notice a change in quality. That little green sprout is fueled by the bulb itself, which means the onion will eventually get soft, shriveled, and lose its signature pungent flavor. My advice? Snip that sprout off as soon as you see it. It’s actually delicious and works great as a garnish for salads. Just a quick reminder: whether they’ve sprouted or not, keep onions away from your dog, as they are toxic to our furry friends.
To keep your onions from sprouting in the first place, you want to store them in a spot that is cool, dark, and dry. If you bought them in a plastic bag, take them out immediately—onions need to breathe! A mesh basket is perfect. If you’re harvesting onions from your own garden, a garage, cellar, or garden shed is usually your best bet. Of course, the easiest way to avoid sprouts is simply to use them up while they’re fresh!
You can also lean into the sprouting process on purpose. It’s a great way to have “onion greens” on hand, which taste a lot like scallions or chives. Pro tip: Use a terracotta onion pot with holes in the sides. The sprouts will grow right out of the holes, making them easy to snip off whenever you need a flavor boost—plus, it looks pretty cool on your kitchen counter.
How to Use Sprouted Onions
- You can still sauté or boil a sprouted onion just like a normal one.
- If the bulb has become very soft, it might not fry up well. In that case, it’s best used for slow-cooked dishes like stews or pot roasts.
- Those young green sprouts have a nice little bite to them.
- They are perfect for topping soups or garnishing baked potatoes.
- If you have a green thumb, you can even take that sprouted onion back out to the garden and replant it!
