Preserving Homegrown Onions

You saw us go onion-crazy, and now it's time to preserve our massive onion harvest to make it last for the rest of the season, so in this video we're going long-term and sharing 3 of our favorite ways to preserve your onions in a delicious way!
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Grabbing Garlic & Onions
02:10 - The Outdoor Cooktop Setup & Preparing Pickled Red Onion
06:54 - Cutting Onions For Dehydrator
08:03 - Dehydrator
08:56 - Making Onion Powder & Pickled Red Onion Taste Test
12:00 - Pulling The Biggest Onion Of The Season
13:25 - The Curing Table
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Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. More info on our process: www.epicgardening.com/disclai...

[@thatjerseyb]

ok a few tips! for the onions in the freezer, first flash freeze them on a cookie sheet first, and then put them in the bag. you can get more in there without clumping together. for the onion powder, that happens because you ran it a bit too long and it did heat up so the sugars in the onions started to melt causing it to clump together. "conditioning" it can help with that. leave them dried for a few days in a jar with space. shake them up and make sure they aren't sticking together and that they are completely without moisture and then grind them. or you can add arrowroot powder to it to help prevent the caking. maybe a future garden idea? growing arrowroot?

[@normachaney9074]

This is the best way for any powders.

[@staceymoniz]

In Hawai`i we put rice in our salt shaker to keep it from clumping due to the humidity. Shaker top keeps the rice from coming out when you sprinkle... Congrats on your huge success with onions!!!

[@AshBigs]

Same in FL. I thought they did it everywhere but nope

[@deboz8793]

Ahhh, yes - Mom did that also. I need to add rice to my shaker too. Couldn’t figure out why/how to keep the salt from clumping. It got annoying when I needed a little salt.

[@madara211000]

Most non commercial onions tend to want to create multiple bulbs almost like garlic, it's rather common once they get to a certain size. It actually takes specific breeding for big onions to not split into two. My biggest onion that I grew this year split into two.

[@Jaison_jacob]

To prevent stickiness, add some raw rice to the shaker bottles. It can used for all powders as rice absorbs moisture. The rice wont fall out of the shaker bottles as well.

[@TheBestPaJam]

Jacques’ excitement is so genuine when he tried the onion ‘chip’. LOVE IT!! For sure he went home and had a bowl of those. I’ve been re-inspired this season to start growing again and really expand on what I grow! Thanks!!

[@lolloo13]

Last season I dehydrated some of my red onions and made onion powder with them and the powder came out a beautiful red/purple color ❤🧅

[@A.J.AlbertCreative]

Simple pickling tip: If you put the onions in the mason jar first, and then add the liquid mixture, you'll have the exact amount of liquid needed before putting it on the stove to heat up

[@gonzo191]

I usually add about 1/4 tsp of corn starch to about 3 tbsp of X powders to prevent caking. The amount isn't set in stone but start with a little bit first and go to your liking. Since you've already blended it, just mix in bowl and put back in bottles

[@barbarageorge7971]

Put a single layer of your onions on a cookie sheet and freeze, then put them in a freezer bag. This works for any veggies, meatballs etc that you freeze.

[@tahursh637]

Mix corn starch (into your grinder once the powder is to your liking) and give it another quick pulse to get everything coated. If it's really humid, add a food grade desiccant pack.

[@ellenkuang8853]

Corn starch or if they wanna go no additives, rice grains as long as the container is air tight will work. Or both in tandem. 😅

[@geirkselim2697]

​@@ellenkuang8853we always had rice in the salt shaker

[@cziviski1110]

To the video editor, thank you for putting in the funny sounds and images, keep it up.

[@blossomvalleylife5503]

You should get some of the bamboo trays for your storage rack! I love using them as it makes clean ups really easy for dirt that falls through and for getting access to all of the stored produce. Right now my rack is entirely full of garlic and onions!

[@courtneycullen6289]

It's probably not homesteader approved, but I like to swap out part or all of the vinegar for lime juice. The limes cut the salicilic acid in the onions, so they are easier to digest and the lime with the coriander is bananas good. I lovelovelove this content. More please!

[@leahdshults]

You guys should try freeze drying the onion instead of dehydrating for the onion powder. Much more concentrated flavor!

[@Fontdizzle]

Hope you guys do an actual canning video for long term storage sometime!

[@pamt8430]

pickled red onions are delicious. First time I had them was on a steak sandwich from a chain restaurant ....fell in love. Vinegar and water 50/50 mix. some sugar...you choose (always start small and taste test) and 5-8 peppercorns. Great on burgers, turkey and chicken sandwiches with chipotle or sriracha mayo, sweet/sour/spicy (especially a grilled sandwich) mmm mmmm mmmmm, and of course steak sandwiches. Salads (lettuce), egg salad, tuna salad. Wraps. just try it you won't be mad. Use store bought onions if you don't grow your own, like me. Still trying to though. use a small jar to test out, 4 oz would be perfect for a first timer, to see if you like it.

[@daisyblooms4813]

ok, now I'm hungry

[@JAYNEmM1962]

I put up 18 half pints of carmelized onion today. Love them. And it's my first year getting large onions from seed.

[@tjduprey]

Rice works as a good desiccant but you need a shaker top that accounts for the rice size so you're not seasoning with rice

[@originalwoolydragon8387]

Thanks, guys! 2023 was the first year I've ever been able to grow onions of any size and I've got a ton of them too. I'm trying all 3 of these ideas ASAP.

[@michelledouglas8913]

Loved this video. Thank you for the easy preserving tips!

[@acandrea]

for the onion powder, I think you can use the outer layers, (if its clean of course).

[@lanetower3411]

Pickled red onions are amazing. And left over pickling solution (beautifully pink) makes great salad dressing when mixed with olive or avocado oil. I usually throw a chili pepper in there, sometimes a garlic bulb. Mmm

[@jeannet9592]

You two are so entertaining. Thanks for the great information too.

[@rachelevelyn22]

Y’all have got to make a blooming onion with one of those giant ones!!

[@Gardeningchristine]

I literally did this yesterday with some okra, green beans, and peppers I had laying around. Going to try them tonight. Great idea for onions too!

[@cynthiak2955]

Thanks guys! I am going to try all these ways!

[@beverlyzientara4502]

I think people add a little arrow root powder to homemade onion powder to keep it from clumping.

[@cumla]

Thanks for another funny and informative video. Btw. the editing is getting better and better!

[@sheliaheverin8822]

I have a box chopper that I use. just cut the onion put it on the chopper and shut the lid. I don't know what I did my whole life without that thing. You can add cornstarch or arrowroot powder in the onion powder to make it clump less.

[@deborahmarlewski6786]

I dry my chop onions via the dehydrator and my freeze drier. I keep the dried chopped onions in jars and vacuum bags. When I cook I grab the dried diced onions. I add the dried onions to my rice cooker when I am cooking rice for stir fry (and other dried veggies)....YUM

[@joycebovee5818]

I just started growing bay leaf this summer!

[@growagarden54]

What variety of onions where they? I planted walla walla, and the split like yours, from too much watering. Once split, I've learned that they cannot be cured for log term storage. Best to use or dehydrate them. The ones that did not split where still really big and delicious. You can grind smaller batches at a time to prevent them powder from heating up. Then you can "condition" the powder prior to vacuum seal in jars for long term storage.

[@lanetower3411]

If you want to go full homegrown swap peppercorns with arugula or poppy seeds. Mustard, celery or nasturtium seeds are interesting too. Arugula seeds are the best tho.

[@morgan_inthe_garden]

Adding rice will help absorb the moisture in the onion power shakers!

[@gregzeigler3850]

I take and freeze scallion and garlic stalks, for a bit of flavor for cooking. The bulbs themselves, I just let them cure and keep them for fresh use.

[@saramorris6104]

I would give up so much for that mushroom towel on the oven door. Idek know what to Google to find it. It's the best hand towel I've ever seen in my life so far. And the pizza looks so good too.

[@ritzileclaire5990]

Wait! Before you blitz alllll the opinions, fill a big ole mason jar with the dried pieces. Here in Chicago I make a 1.5 qt crock pot of soup for lunch at work and I toss in all the dried stuff in different combos each day. Like, after doing sliced garlic I blitz it a bit, then sift the powder away from the granules (the granules are mighty tasty in soups and stews.. dried corn,onion,garlic,hot pepper flakes, and beans make the base of tortilla soup. I store a bit of all the dried herbs and veg ( bell peppers too) at work so I can wing it each day. Yummmmmy!

[@morganmay1]

Onions typically split when they are over fertilized. Usually too much nitrogen is the cause. In addition under watering onion plants, and extreme temperatures can cause this to happen. Some onion varieties are more prone to splitting than others, and the amount of spacing between them is also a cause.

[@lolis110]

With the red onions if you pickle them with lime juice and add chopped habanero some salt and pepper. Chefs kiss !!👩🏽‍🍳😘

[@j.d.x4451]

The all new ball book of canning and preserving has an AMAZING recipe for balsamic onion jam! Its delicious on burgers and in marinades for beef or pork...

[@KGBman85]

A few grains of rice will in the shaker will prevent the powder from sticking. Old Bulgarian method my grandma used to use XD

[@udoheinz7845]

You can also do onion powder with the greens

[@truthandlove0]

9:54 100% the same as a coffee grinder 😂 but seeing Kevin be so proud of himself 😆 Edit: 11:16 isn't corn starch used for that kind of stuff? 🤷‍♂️ Idk much, just a thought.

[@franlinscott7506]

I deeply love my spice grinder! It grinds so beautifully! And being able to toss the lid and cup into the dishwasher is fantastic.

[@carenmcfarland7034]

Would love to know what kind you have 😊

[@user-wk2kd9sr4p]

After I grind my onion/garlic etc. I put the powder back in the dehydrator to dehydrate it a second time in order to ensure it is completely dry. I do not use my Excalibur dehydrator for this though. I have a Nesco dehydrator I use for this additional step.

[@tineejohnston9737]

The switch aro reminded with Martha Stewart lol 😋😇❤️ sprinkle powder onions on your bromance hahaha

[@MsWDWFAN1]

That honker of an onion is like conjoined twins! It's huge! 🧅🤯 You could make onion salt or granulated onion too!

[@daisyblooms4813]

k, the "enter laughing" doesn't get old :-)

[@takid123]

I'm sure you've thought about building a root cellar Also DIY IQF I've done this in restaurant where we had dry ice and liquid nitrogen available Fill a vessel a yeti type cooler works well. 1/3 with a cryogenic either dry ice or ln2 Line your trays with sil pats or parchment line all the food not touching each other Stack the trays all the way up Close the lid*, wait 15 - 25mins shove everything into bags preferably inside the cooler to keep either the co2 or n2 in the bags with it The small amount of inert gas in the bags will help them not break and keep the flavor more consistent over time. Other notes a proper vacuum vessel should be used for liquid nitrogen you can risk cracking or just shattering coolers dry Ice is readily available in many stores or by local couriers and is more than sufficient at freezing things fast enough to stave of freezer burn for a long time. Though buying a very large vaccum vessel and getting it filled at a welding place to use ln2 at home for preservation is quite fun and relatively inexpensive

[@belindaplayfair5971]

Use cornstarch to keep it seperated. Just 1/8 tsp depending on how much you're making.

[@jessper3303]

More info on the spice and nut grinder please.

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Definitely want to try making my own onion powder. If you don’t have a dehydrator how long should they be in the oven for?

[@callieshields1944]

I know it would be a lot more work but I would love to see an attempt at a caramelized onion powder!

[@ponwajeechrans7372]

Never grow them before, going to next year ❤❤❤

[@greatvaluegameplay598]

I LOVE THESE GUYYS TOGETHER ....WHERE CAN I READ THE FAN FICTION????? LOL

[@seharmon]

The desiccant packs are the way to go, and there are some that are food grade.

[@gregbluefinstudios4658]

AMAZING onions! Well done.

[@rhianabrooke]

I gotta say... I laugh right along with you at the beginning of every video.

[@dustyflats3832]

Arrowroot has been used for anti caking. I freeze chopped onions flat and you can easily break off chunks. It’s the odor in the freezer that is hard to contain.

[@quinnmurray2292]

Make French onion soup! It uses a ton of onions and it's delicious!!

[@jamied4653]

Hahaha, I've never seen anyone toss their head back and pour onion powder on their tongues before, that was hilarious. Glad that was some good onion powder. Makes me want to go make my own. Lol

[@oscarcaballero9014]

Looked like fun

[@palmsandsand]

Add cornstarch to prevent sticking or create texture by not pulverizing to the same consistency. Potato starch would also work.

[@marygrott8095]

How do you getbyourbonioms to grow so large? Do you have a video on it that you could link?

[@christiegrows2022]

Arrowroot powder or corn flour to stop the onion powder caking

[@kathyreinhofer9275]

You can also Dehydrate your onions to make onion powder

[@tpen891]

Freeze dry Onion is awesome.

[@pollyjazz]

Why make powder? Using the flakes in cooking is just as good and in things like dips it adds a little texture. Recently I tried making a jar of fermented onions instead of pickling. Really easy, the salt water brine and a spoon of whey from a yogurt. Added some black pepper and ginger and after a few days it came out fantastic! Awesome in sandwiches like chicken or salmon or even peanut butter ( I prefer savory PB sandwiches instead of PBJ). 💕 😘

[@colsen4616]

Slicing the onions super thin with a mandoline and adding some oregano…perfect for tacos.

[@MimiGardens]

I wonder if storing with some uncooked rice would help. We do that for salt.

[@LK-fl5zf]

can you place a link for crowdsource

[@justjlll4596]

You can pack the bag of chopped onions pretty tight and once they are frozen just bang the bag on counter like you would a bag of ice and they separate just fine! I pack as much as I can in a gallon bag!

[@tretre1692]

Love it!! Ive actually been thinking about doing this with some of my peppers! What dehydrator do you recommend/use?! TIA!

[@jennbasil]

I really like my Cosori. It works really well, is quiet, and more affordable than the Excalibur (which is what Kevin is using).

[@tretre1692]

@@jennbasil thank you!! I’ll take a look at that!

[@evelyngorfram9306]

Freezer bag Pro Tip: date & label each bag. Pro Tip pro tip: it's much easier to label the bags *before* you fill them.

[@MattR759]

Can we get more of these videos, please! If I grow a lot, I don’t want it to go to waste, and I don’t want to just give it all away…some, sure…

[@moirad6579]

Try arrowroot powder to prevent the onion powder from sticking

[@he4rt5]

absolute classice refrigerator pickled classic banger recipe😙👌👌👌

[@thepeff]

I dehydrate my onions without turning them into powder. They're easier to use as a sandwich or burger topper or in place of fresh onions. I usually just buy my onion powder

[@erntaku]

I concur. Dried, chopped onion leaves way more options open, and clumping isn't an issue. I usually just grind em when I need powder.

[@Mihhgvhiih]

Sweeet nice onions I grew a few nice red onions

[@Tevo581]

Where, is a good idea, to buy onions and garlic from to start growing in my yard?

[@CartersGardens]

Lol salt is the one we need to get right lol. I leave the sugar out of alot of my recipes lol

[@LoveyBicki]

Lol I love the intro!!! 😂❤

[@idahohoosier8989]

AND IF Y'ALL REFRIGWRATE BEGORE FREEZING, THERE WILL B A LOT LESS CONDENSATION. This is how I freeze all my food, even leftovers. Blessings, julie

[@kcgaidin]

Love it!

[@myurbangarden7695]

I love it!

[@kimpaynter]

I have a big question can you please explain zones 😢 I live in Mesa Az . They say I’m a zone 9b , you are a 10b . Our heat is so intense that the earth doesn’t even cool our lows can still be at 90s I just don’t understand . I thought we would be a higher growing zone 😊😊I get the sunlight thing but we just don’t cool off 😢😢😢

[@FlavourFool]

Was that a joke about the rarity of bay trees in the US? In the UK I seem to walk past them where ever I go, yet people buy the awful dried ones in plastic packets in the supermarket instead of picking a few when they see them 🤷‍♀️

[@greentree211]

you should freeze dry the onions for onion powder!

[@Sups]

best intro on youtube

[@waterisgold]

Facts

[@TedK4307]

Do you sell the onion rack?

[@debscrats55]

I put my onions on a cookie sheet so they freeze separately then put them in a bag or other container and can remove what I need.

[@cathydavis8111]

1/4 teaspoon cornstarch will prevent caking

[@Loogiemistress]

Couple grains of rice in the onion powder will keep it from clumping in the jar

[@becomingwildandfree8647]

Add rice to your shaker...keeps it from clumping

[@waterisgold]

I just harvested my onions like 15 minutes 🌱

[@bbardy3924]

I found this rather appealing

[@daisyblooms4813]

oh, you

[@cherrygripe4961]

I cut, dehydrate, then grind and dehydrate, grind that again if its cakey.

[@Pachinko1]

Try Caramelised Red onion chutney in a Thermomix. The best chutney on earth!

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here….i think if you ‘freeze dried’ you would not have the stickiness of your onion powder. But dang they are pricy!!

[@TheNeeenha]

Love you guys. you're better together. So much fun