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1. **Slice the Onions**: Cut your onions into thin slices or rings, depending on your preference.
2. **Dehydrate**: Using a dehydrator (or an oven set on low), dry the onions until they are crisp and brittle. This can take several hours, but it’s a great way to preserve your onions without worrying about spoilage.
3. **Store in Airtight Containers**: Once dehydrated, store the onions in airtight jars or vacuum-sealed bags. Keep them in a cool, dark place, and they will last for months.
#### **Step 4: Use Pre-Chopped Onions for Meal Prep**
If you don’t have time to prepare your onions in bulk and freeze them, **pre-chopped onions** are another quick and convenient option. You can buy pre-chopped onions from the store, but they can be expensive. Instead, consider chopping your 10 lb bag of onions at once and storing them in a container or plastic bag in the fridge for use throughout the week.
This method is perfect if you meal prep and want to save time each day by having onions ready to go. You can simply grab a handful whenever you need them for your recipes.
### **Additional Tips for Saving Money and Time with Onions**
– **Use Onion Scraps**: Don’t throw away the onion skins and ends! You can use them to make homemade vegetable broth or compost them to enrich your garden soil.
– **Try Caramelizing**: Caramelized onions can be made in bulk and stored in the fridge or freezer for use in dishes like burgers, pizzas, and sandwiches. Simply slow-cook sliced onions in oil until they become rich, sweet, and golden brown.
– **Mix with Other Veggies**: If you’re trying to stretch your onions even further, consider combining them with other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and celery to make flavorful vegetable medleys for soups and stews.
### **Conclusion**
By grabbing a 10 lb bag of onions from Costco and using these simple techniques—peeling, chopping, freezing, pureeing, dehydrating, or pre-chopping—you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also cut down on prep time and reduce food waste. Onions are incredibly versatile and storing them in bulk allows you to always have this essential ingredient on hand. With just a little upfront work, you’ll be able to breeze through meal prep and enjoy flavorful dishes without the hassle of constantly buying new onions.
So, next time you’re at Costco, pick up that 10 lb bag of onions and give these time- and money-saving techniques a try. You’ll be amazed at how much easier cooking can be!
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