Learn the best way to store onions long-term using pantyhose! This easy, old-fashioned method keeps your onions fresh for months without rotting or sprouting. Perfect for home gardeners and bulk shoppers—no fancy equipment needed.
How to Store Onions With Pantyhose
If you’ve ever had onions sprouting on your counter or turning soft in the pantry, you’re not alone. Whether you grow your own onions or buy in bulk, knowing how to store them properly can save money and reduce waste. One of the most effective (and oddly fun!) ways to store onions long-term is by using pantyhose. Yes, really—this simple trick can keep your onions fresh for months without fancy storage bins or equipment.
Before you start stocking up, don’t forget to make the most of your onion stash with a few of my favorite recipes: try these crispy Baked Onion Rings, add flavor to any dish with Quick Pickled Red Onion Slices, or preserve extra onions by learning How to Make Onion Powder in the Oven.
Storing Onions in Pantyhose: Step-by-Step Guide
Choose the right onions. Only store fully cured, dry onions. Skip any with soft spots, green tops, or signs of mold.
Prepare the pantyhose. Take a clean pair of pantyhose and lay them flat. Use scissors to cut off each leg right at the top of the thigh—this gives you two long tubes to work with. You can use the waistband part too if you want, but the legs are perfect for holding a bunch of onions. Don’t worry if the hose has a few runs—they’ll still work just fine!
Drop in an onion. Start by placing one onion into the foot of the pantyhose.
Tie a knot. Make a knot above the onion to keep it separated.
Repeat. Add another onion, tie another knot, and keep going until the pantyhose is full.
Hang it up. Store your onion “snake” in a cool, dark, and dry place—like a pantry, basement, or garage.
Snip when needed. When you need an onion, just snip one off from the bottom!
How long do onions last in pantyhose?
Stored in a cool, dark, and dry spot, onions can last up to 6 months in pantyhose.
What kind of onions store the longest?
Yellow and white onions store better than sweet or red varieties. Make sure they’re fully cured before storing.
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How to Store Onions Using Pantyhose
PrintIngredients
- onions
- pantyhose
Instructions
- If you're storing onions from your garden, make sure to dry them first. Lay them out in a single layer so they’re not touching—somewhere dry and sunny, like a porch, patio, or rooftop. Let them cure for a few days, checking the weather to avoid rain. Once the skins are dry and papery, gently brush off any dirt and bring them indoors for storage.
- Trim the stem of each onion down to about 1 inch.
- Cut the pantyhose so you have two separate legs. Drop an onion into one leg, then tie a knot above it. Repeat—add another onion, tie another knot, and continue until the leg is full. This keeps the onions from touching, which helps prevent rot and makes it easy to snip one off when you need it.
- Stored this way in a cool, dark, and dry place, your onions can last for up to 6 months. And there you have it—a simple, effective method to keep your onions fresh and ready whenever you need them!
Wesley Bielinski says
If you would use a binder clip instead of tying them you could reuse the pantyhose, less plastic waste.
Linda Turner says
I just joined.
Allie says
Trying to implement this wonderful hack but wondering how you actually hang the stockings and keep them from ripping from the weight of the onions. Would appreciate any advice!
Rosalie says
Couldn’t you just tie a bundle of onions together by the dried tops and hang them in a corner. Or if using a pantyhose, use potato chip clamps that snap shut on one end, between each set of onions you are separating so you can not damage the pantyhose so you can reuse them next year. That is the frugal nut inside of me sneaking out. Love your ideas.
Rick Ruehmann says
You can also buy onion sleeves from Dixoondale Farms. They are $1.50 each for a 15 ft. or so sleeve. I use small plastic zip ties between each onion. When you need an onion, simply cut the bottom zip ties & remove the onion. Save the empty sleeves & use them over for the next year. My Candy onions will usually last in these sleeves hung in my basement from July to March or April.
Pamela says
Thanks for the comment Rick, those are great ideas!
Ruth D says
Lucky me, I no longer have to wear pantyhose for work…. so they are going to my Vidalias!
Pamela says
Hahaha, I love it!
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
1) No, I don’t call them pantyhose. Tights. Leggins. Not pantyhose. I feel gross even typing it!
2) I am so happy to have found this tip! I constantly throw onions away because I buy them but don’t store them properly. Now I know! Yay!! No more yucky onions!!!!
PassTheKnife says
This is too funny, and a great idea!!
Anna Johnston says
Pantyhose … LOL! Makes me giggle everytime. I cant use the word with any seriousness at all, so stick with stockings and leggings. This is a really great idea Pamela, I have a bunch of them I dont enjoy wearing, reckon this is the perfect use for them. Plus, I think they look really cool too, an onion feature. 🙂
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Love this!
Am I too late to do Fall onions?
Pamela says
Hey Jamie, you could always plant over the Winter and then just pick them in the late Spring. To do this you’ll need to protect with a greenhouse or cover them with mulch to lock in warmness. Last year we had pretty good success growing them over Winter and we had a harsh few months!
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Thanks Pamela!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
This is such a brilliant idea and article — thanks so much for sharing. The kitty’s are too cute!:)
Koko says
This is such a hilarious, but good idea!! So smart!!
Suzanne says
Great idea Pamela, hate to wear pantyhose have a bunch of unused pairs now I have a use for them. Very cool.
Mary Frances says
Pantyhose for storing onions??? Who knew?
cheri says
Brilliant idea Pamela! great post.
Sam @ SugarspunRun says
What a neat idea! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Donalyn@TheCreeksideCook says
“Substitute your legs with onions” – cracked me up!
We grow a lot of onions, and I never wear any sort of hose, so we have to make do with saved onion bags from those months we do have to buy them. This is a great idea to keep them separated though, because they do go bad much more quickly if they are touching another bad one. Easily led astray I guess…
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Pamela – you are a genius – I would never have thunk to use pantyhose to store onions!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
We used to grow onions and garlic when we had our farm – I wish I’d had this idea then!! I’m still going to use it with my store-bought onions… hopefully this will eliminate finding any ‘squishy’ ones! (Just thought of something… Up on the Roof you don’t have to worry about those damn woodchucks!)
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Great post, and I loved the title! It definitely got my attention! 🙂
Christine at Cook the Story says
Awesome idea!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
Awesome idea!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That’s a very helpful tip, Pamela.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
This is so amazing!! I have to say – the title definitely had me intrigued LOL
Liz says
This is such a terrific tip! I need to keep a closer eye on my onions as there always seems to be one escaping my vision that starts to spoil! Thanks!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO GENIUS!
sue/the view from great island says
What a great kitchen hack (that’s a funny word, to!) I adore onions, and this seems like a very sensible solution for storing them, thanks. They kind of look like modern art sculptures hanging there, too!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great post, Pamela! I had no idea that you could store onions using pantyhose. I’m definitely going to have to remember this for the future!
Katie says
Great idea!
Although I HATE pantyhose themselves with a passion and the word as well. I may make an exception and buy them, if my onions are successful.