Here’s what the experts say (and what food editors do).
A poll of the Simply Recipe editors found that none rinse their onions before peeling and using them.
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It is important to wash onions before peeling and using them, says Huang.
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Food and Drug Administrationrecommends washing all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing or eating it.
So, the outer skin of onions can be contaminated with a variety of bacteria, Huang says.
The bacteria that can cause foodborne illness are of the most concern.
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However, not all experts agree that onions must be washed before slicing.
Peel the Onion First
Why would you?
says microbiologistJason Tetro,host of theSuper Awesome Science Showand author ofThe Germ CodeandThe Germ Files.
That skin is essentially like a peel.
You dont wash your peeled bananas or oranges or lychee fruit.
Now, if you want to use a little water to rinse that slimy layer off, thats OK.
But thats more logistics than safety.
He says the risks are minimal as long as you peel them first.
Removing the outer layers helps keep any bacteria from being pushed through to the inside.
Peel them before you cut them, Tetro suggests.
Like Shrek, those layers can hide all sorts of unexpected surprises.
Best to get rid of them before you put a knife through it.
How To Safely Store Onions
For the freshest onions,smart storageis key.
Store onions in a cool, dry place like a pantry or basement.
Keep them in a mesh bag or wire basketanything that encourages good airflow.
A cool, dry place is always the best, says Tetro.
This will prevent microbial growth as well as keep the onions from dehydrating.
Keeping them between 40F and 50F will help them stay usable for up to a year.
“Moisture from washing can cause onions to develop mold, spoil, and sprout during storage.