Let’s be honest—green onions (aka scallions) are one of those ingredients you always mean to use up, but half the time they end up forgotten in the back of the fridge, floppy and sad.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution: Freezing.
Green onions freeze beautifully, and once prepped, they’re perfect to toss into eggs, soups, stir-fries, and noodle dishes—without any extra chopping or waste.
Here’s how to freeze green onions two ways, plus a few tips on keeping them tasting fresh and bright for months.
What You’ll Need
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Plastic freezer bags or silicone bags
- Sharpie (for labeling)
- Kitchen towel or paper towels
Ingredients
- Fresh green onions (aka scallions)
Choose firm, vibrant green onions with no mushy parts. The fresher they are when you freeze them, the better they’ll taste when you use them later.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Rinse and dry
Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. If your green onions have already gotten floppy and sad, simply peel off the outer layers that have softened. Trim off any areas that have started to wilt.
Pat dry with a kitchen towel, then let air dry on a clean towel for an hour or two to remove all moisture. This step is important to prevent freezer burn.
2. Slice or chop
Set aside a portion of green onions to:
3. Bag and freeze
- Add your green onion pieces to a labeled freezer-safe bag
- Remove excess air, seal, and freeze flat
Storage Tips + Food Safety
- Freezer temp: Store at or below 0°F
- Shelf life: Best used within 2–3 months for top flavor, though they’re safe for longer
- Use frozen, not thawed: Frozen green onions are best used directly from the freezer—no need to thaw
For more on storage safety, see FDA’s freezer storage guidelines.
How to Use Frozen Green Onions
They’re best in:
- Soups, broths, and stews (like that late-night ramen that could use a little extra freshness and greens).
- Stir-fries and rice dishes
- Omelets and scrambled eggs
- Fried rice or kimchi pancakes
Not recommended for:
- Garnishing raw salads (they’ll be too soft once thawed)
Customizations + Tips
- You can also blend green onions with a little oil to make a scallion paste—freeze in ice cube trays to be tossed into marinades or soups.
- Combine with frozen garlic and ginger to make your own “flavor bombs.” These can be tossed into stir fries or dishes to amp up the flavor. Freeze in ice cube or silicon trays for easy storage and removal.
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HOW TO FREEZE GREEN ONIONS (Easy Method for Longer Shelf Life)
Equipment
- Plastic storage bags
- knife
- - Cutting board
- Sharpie (for labeling)
Instructions
- Rinse your green onions thoroughly with water then blot with a kitchen towel. Lay them out on the towel for a few hours to fully dry.
- Set aside a portion of the green onions to thinly slice and another to chop into larger pieces.
FOR THE THINLY SLICED GREEN ONIONS
- Thinly slice the green onions and add them to a plastic storage bag. You can store the white and green parts of the green onion separately if desired.
FOR THE CHOPPED GREEN ONIONS
- Chop the green onions in roughly 1.5 inch pieces. If the green onions are large and wide, you can also slice them in half vertically so the pieces are thinner.
- Store in the freezer to be added to dishes as needed.
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