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### **The Ultimate Money and Time Saving Onion Hack**
Now that we understand the benefits of buying a 10 lb bag of onions from Costco, let’s break down the steps involved in making the most of your bulk purchase and turning it into a money-saving and time-saving hack.
#### **Step 1: Buy a 10 lb Bag of Onions**
The first step is, of course, heading to Costco and grabbing your 10 lb bag of onions. Costco often carries yellow onions in bulk, but you may also find red onions, shallots, or even green onions. Yellow onions are the most commonly used and are typically the best choice for this hack. Their mild to sweet flavor works well in nearly every dish.
Once you’ve got your 10 lb bag of onions, you may notice that it’s a large quantity that can be difficult to manage all at once. Don’t let the size intimidate you—it’s easier to handle when you use the technique I’m about to explain.
#### **Step 2: Peel, Slice, and Dice**
The next step is to peel, slice, and dice the onions in bulk. This may sound like a daunting task, but once you get into a rhythm, it’s quick and efficient. Set up your workstation with a large cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife. Peel all the onions, remove the root ends, and cut off the tops. From there, you can slice the onions as desired.
– **For Sautéing:** Slice the onions thinly into rings or half moons for easy sautéing and caramelizing. These slices can be used in stir-fries, fajitas, or served on top of burgers.
– **For Dicing:** If you need diced onions for soups, stews, or sauces, chop the onions into smaller pieces. Diced onions are also perfect for adding to ground meat for meatballs, meatloaf, or taco fillings.
#### **Step 3: Pre-Portion Your Onions**
Once you’ve peeled, sliced, and diced your onions, the next step is to portion them out into manageable amounts. You can use small resealable bags, freezer-safe containers, or even mason jars to store your onions. The idea is to measure out a portion of onions that will be enough for one meal or a couple of meals, depending on your family size and cooking needs.
For example, if you typically use about one medium onion per dish, portion out the diced or sliced onions into one-medium-onion-sized portions. This will make cooking more convenient because when you’re ready to cook, all you need to do is grab a pre-portioned bag or container of onions from the freezer, and you’re good to go.
#### **Step 4: Freezing Your Onions**
This is the step that truly transforms your onion prep game. Freezing onions is the key to making this technique truly time-saving and effective. Many people shy away from freezing onions because they’re worried about the texture after thawing, but the reality is, frozen onions work wonderfully in cooked dishes like soups, stews, stir-fries, and casseroles.
To freeze your onions, follow these steps:
1. **Flash Freeze:** Lay your sliced or diced onions out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will prevent the onions from clumping together as they freeze. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours or until the onions are frozen solid.
2. **Package and Label:** Once the onions are frozen, transfer them to resealable freezer bags or containers. Label the bags with the date and portion size so you can easily grab what you need later.
3. **Long-Term Storage:** Frozen onions will last for up to 6 months in the freezer. This makes them perfect for meal prep, especially if you want to save time during the busy workweek.
#### **Step 5: Cooking with Frozen Onions**
When it comes time to use your frozen onions, it’s incredibly simple. You can either thaw them in the fridge overnight or throw them directly into your skillet or pan straight from the freezer. There’s no need to worry about thawing them beforehand unless you need them for a raw preparation like a salad.
Frozen onions work best when they are cooked, which is why they’re perfect for dishes that require sautéing, simmering, or baking. They can be added to soups, stews, curries, stir-fries, or any recipe where onions are typically sautéed first. The texture may be slightly softer after freezing, but the flavor remains intact, and they cook up just as well as fresh onions.
#### **Step 6: Enjoy the Convenience of Prepped Onions**
Now that you have prepped, portioned, and frozen your onions, you’ll enjoy the convenience of having them ready to go at all times. Instead of dreading the task of chopping onions every time you cook, you can grab a portion from the freezer and focus on the other components of your dish.
By having onions prepped and frozen, you can make your cooking routine more efficient and stress-free. Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or preparing a large family meal, having pre-chopped onions on hand will save you both time and effort.
### **The Benefits of This Technique**
There are several major benefits to using this onion prep hack:
1. **Time-Saving:** The biggest benefit is the time you save. Chopping and prepping a 10 lb bag of onions all at once means you don’t have to chop them again for months. This is especially helpful if you cook a lot and regularly use onions in your recipes.
2. **Cost-Effective:** Buying onions in bulk from Costco is much cheaper than buying individual onions from your local grocery store. You get more onions for your money, and by freezing them, you extend their shelf life and prevent waste.
3. **Convenience:** Having pre-portion bags or containers of onions in your freezer makes cooking much more convenient. You don’t have to deal with the hassle of peeling and chopping every time you need onions. Just grab a portion, and you’re good to go!
4. **Less Waste:** Onions can spoil if left in the pantry for too long. By freezing them, you ensure that they last for several months, reducing the likelihood of waste. You can use exactly what you need without worrying about leftover onions going bad.
5. **Improved Meal Prep:** This technique allows you to streamline your meal prep. You’ll always have onions ready for your meals, allowing you to focus on other tasks. Whether you’re cooking for a family or batch-cooking for the week, having prepped onions in your freezer makes the process much smoother.
### **Conclusion**
If you’re looking for a way to save money, reduce food waste, and make your cooking routine more efficient, grabbing a 10 lb bag of onions from Costco and using this prep-and-freeze technique is the perfect solution. You’ll never have to worry about peeling and chopping onions every time you cook again, and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having fresh, flavorful onions ready to go whenever you need them.
Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also enjoy a more organized kitchen and a smoother cooking experience. So, the next time you’re at Costco, pick up that 10 lb bag of onions, and try out this game-changing hack. Your future self will thank you!
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