Learn How to Cut an Onion properly and speed up your cooking process. These easy step-by-step directions and instructional photos will have you chopping, dicing, and slicing like a pro in no time at all.
Want to learn how to cut other vegetables? You might enjoy learning How to Cut Cauliflower and How to Cut Leeks.
Learning to Cut an Onion
Cutting onions properly is one of the basic cooking skills every beginner cook should master.
Why?
Because they are everywhere. You’ll find them in everything from fajitas to sauces and kabobs.
Even in dishes that don’t feature onions heavily, they often act as part of the base of flavors in two basic veggie blends – mirepoix and the holy trinity.
Mirepoix is an equal part mix of diced carrots, celery, and onions, while the holy trinity, a mix of onions, celery, and bell pepper.
If the thought of chopping onions has you in tears, take a deep breath. This easy step by step guide will have you cutting them like a pro in no time at all.
Nutrition
You might not think of onions as healthy, but they do have some surprising health benefits!
They are a low calorie, nutrient dense food.
One cup of diced onion, which is about one medium onion, has:
- 40 calories
- lots of calcium, potassium, and other minerals
- a beneficial effect on heart health
- disease fighting antioxidants
Types
There are several types including:
- White onions are slightly pungent and good for using in cooked dishes.
- Yellow onions are versatile and perfect for caramelizing.
- Red onions have deep purple skin and a mild to spicy flavor that makes them delicious in salads and salsas.
- Sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla are mild, sweet and lovely in any dish that needs a raw onion.
Which should you use?
Some recipes call for particular kinds of onions, but you can substitute one kind for another with no problem.
Selecting
It doesn’t matter what type you are buying.
Look for firm onions with dry skins.
Stay away from any with brown spots or any parts that are soft and mushy.
Storing
Storing an onion will vary by whether you’ve chopped the onion or if it is whole.
Keep whole onions in a dry, cool spot on the counter away from sunlight.
Wrap partially used onions tightly in plastic wrap or put them in a sealed, airtight container and store them in the fridge.
Store cut onions in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to to 10 days.
Freeze cut onions in a freezer bag for 3-6 months and then add them directly to soups or other cooked dishes.
How to
Once you know how to chop, slice and dice an onion, cutting becomes an easy and quick part of the cooking process.
To cut :
Step 1: Place the onion on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim the roots and the top off.
Step 2: Position the onion on the cutting board with the cut end facing up and cut it in half.
Step 3: Remove the peel and outer layer from both halves.
Now you are ready to slice the onions.
Slicing
Sliced onions are fantastic for salads and sandwiches, caramelized onions, or kebabs.
To slice:
Step 1: Place one half of the onion cut-side down on the cutting board.
Step 2: Cut vertically into thin or thick slices depending on what you are using it for.
Step 3: Repeat with the other half.
For salads, sandwiches, and caramelized onions, thin slices work better, while kebabs need thicker slices.
Dicing
Many savory foods rely on diced onions to create the base of flavor. You might notice them in salsas or cooked with peppers in steak sandwiches.
To dice:
Step 1: Place one half of the onion cut-side down on the cutting board.
Step 2: Cut vertical slices that are parallel to each other, trying to keep everything together as you cut it.
Step 3: Rotate the sliced onion 90 degrees, being careful to keep the sliced onion together.
Step 4: Make additional cuts perpendicular to the original cuts.
For coarsely diced onions, keep the slices further apart. If you want finely diced onions make the slices closer together.
Cutting Without Crying
Cutting onions doesn’t have to guarantee you’ll be crying your eyes out.
Onions release chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide, which bothers glands in eyes until they release tears.
Stop crying while you’re cutting them by following these suggestions:
- Chill the onions in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
- Use a very sharp knife when cutting.
- Cut under a kitchen fan or vent.
Best Recipes
Onions add pizzazz and flavor to so many dishes.
The best onion recipes include:
- Caramelized Onions
- Caramelized Onion Hummus
- Easy Skillet Steak Fajitas
- Grilled Fajita Chicken Kabobs
How to Cut an Onion
Once you learn How to Cut an Onion, you'll be ready to tackle your favorite recipes—without crying! Simply follow this step-by-step tutorial to learn the best way to peel the skin, then thinly slice, finely dice, or chop onions.
Ingredients
- 1 onion sweet, red, or yellow
Instructions
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Using a sharp knife, trim the two ends of the onion.
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Place the onion flat-side down onto the cutting board and cut it in half.
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Peel and remove the outer layer from both halves of the onion.
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To cut into slices: Place one half of the onion cut-side down. Make cuts vertically into thin or thick slices. Repeat with the other half.
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To dice an onion: Place one half of the onion cut-side down. Cut vertical slices that are parallel to each other, trying to keep the onion together as you go. Turn the sliced onion 90 degrees and make additional cuts that are perpendicular to the original cuts. Make cuts closer together for a finely diced onion and cuts further apart for a coarsely chopped onion.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- To store: Keep cut onions in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge for up to to 10 days. Partially used onions can also be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.
- To freeze: Place cut onions in a freezer bag for 3-6 months and then add them directly to soups or other cooked dishes.
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