How to Properly Cut an Onion

This site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.

Learning how to properly cut an onion is a skill that should be mastered by everyone. It not only makes you feel accomplished but also helps you save money on food costs. Simple cooking skills are always great to have in your back pocket!

I’d love to see you in my Facebook group! I share meal planning tips and tricks along with freebies. Plus, you can get to know other busy people who need help meal planning!

Steps to Cut an Onion

Of all the vegetables to cut, onions seem to be the most difficult for many people. Learning how to properly cut an onion will save you time – and lots of tears. When learning to cut an onion, there are two important things to remember: you need a sharp knife, and you must stabilize the onion as much as you can so you don’t chop your fingers off.

• Preparation: Place your onion, with the stem end facing away from you, on a cutting board. With your non-dominant hand, firmly grasp the onion. With your sharp knife, cut about 1/2″ from the step end with your dominant hand. After that, make a smaller cut at the root end to get rid of the stringy portion of the roots while keeping the core intact.
• Cutting Technique: Turn the onion over so that the root side faces up. Cut it in half and place the cut side down onto the cutting board. Peel back the onion skin. Make lengthwise cuts into the onion – from stem end to root end, without cutting through the root end entirely. Cut at an angle around the onion, keeping the knife blade pointed toward the onion’s core. Pay attention and keep the onion slices close together as you go. Finally, you’ll make crisscross cuts. Rotate the onion 90 degrees and make cuts that are perpendicular to the first ones. To preserve your fingers, curl your hands and press your knuckles against the knife as you cut the onion. Your knuckles will lightly guide the knife as you finish cutting the onion.

Thickness Matters

How thin should I slice my onions?

• Thin Slices: Thinly sliced onions are great for caramelizing. Chefs frequently punch the onion to release more of the onion’s oils, which allows for a greater flavor.
• Thicker Cuts: Thicker slices or chopped onions can give some nice texture to stir-fries or other dishes.

Preventing Tears

How to not cry while cutting an onion

Onions are known to release a chemical irritant that makes us cry, so I bet you’re curious about how to not cry while cutting an onion too, huh? While some people are immune to onion crying, I’m not one of them! Some onion varieties have more of an irritant than others. Selecting sweet onions rather than white or red can reduce the amount of tears shed. Refrigerating or freezing the onion can slow down the release of the irritant, which gives you a longer period of time to get the onions cut and get out without crying!

• Tips to Reduce Tears:
  • Cut the onion under a vent
  • Use fresh onions
  • Chew gum
  • Run the onion under water
  • Cover your knife in lemon juice before cutting

Some of these methods may work better than others. Try them out and let me know how tear-free your onion cutting experience was!

Conclusion

We hope that you find these methods helpful and effective in your kitchen. Knowing how to cut an onion correctly can help you feel accomplished and save you time and tears. Happy cooking!