How to Cut an Onion with Step-by-Step Instructions

Onions are one of the most versatile root vegetables around. Onions grow in the ground and are made up of various layers, which are important to identify when cooking. At the center, onions have a fan of green leaves. Out of this fan, a series of bulb scales starts to grow as the plant matures. These scales are commonly known as the layers. The onion has a protective thin outer covering known as the tunic or skin. The tunic covers the fleshy layers, which are the ones commonly used for cooking.

You’ll need to consider all of these parts when cutting an onion, so here is the ultimate guide on how to cut an onion.

How to cut onions without crying

Cutting onions makes us cry because the action releases eye-irritating gases. You don’t really need to wear goggles when cutting or chopping onions, but rather, limit the amount of gases and juices that are released. 

• The key is the knife you use. It has to be a very sharp knife that cuts cleanly through the flesh and limits the stinging gases that are released. 
• Another useful technique is to dip onion halves into cold water before cutting them. Similarly, you can freeze the onion before cutting to limit the fumes. 
• Cutting the onion under a kitchen vent or fan also limits your exposure to volatile fumes. 
• Wipe the cutting board or surface down as soon as you are finished to limit your exposure to irritating fumes.  

How to peel an onion

Before you can start cutting your onion, you’ll need to peel it. When peeling an onion, it is important to save as much of the layers as possible. This technique will help you do that.

1. First, you need to identify the top and root ends. The top side will be pointier, while the root side will have hair-like roots attached. Cut the top off. 
2. Lay the onion on the chopping board, flat side down. Cut the onion in half lengthwise, from the top through the root. 
3. Now pull down the peel towards the root. This will minimize the amount of wasted flesh as you will only remove the outer, thin tunic.

How to dice an onion

Once you have peeled the onion with the above technique, you can easily dice it.

1. Place one of the onion halves on the chopping board. Make horizontal slices, moving your knife towards the root end of the onion. Make 3 or 4 incisions without cutting all the way through. 
2. Second, make 3 or 4 vertical slices depending on the size of the onion. Leave the root end intact so it provides support before the final cuts. 
3. Third, dice the onion, making vertical cuts that run perpendicular to the vertical cuts you have already made. This will produce evenly shaped and sized onion chunks. Hold the onion by the roots, keeping your fingers away from the blade. 

How to slice an onion

Some recipes, such as French onion soup or onion rings, call for onion slices. Here’s how you can slice onions lengthwise, crosswise, and for onion rings. 

How to slice an onion lengthwise

This is the right shape for caramelizing onions. When cut lengthwise, onion slices tend to keep their shape better. You will cut from root to top by following these steps: 

1. Peel the onion as per the steps described above.
2. Place each half on the cutting surface and make lengthwise cuts from the bottom towards the root, without cutting through the root. 
3. Once you have made 3-5 cuts, depending on the thickness you want, cut off the root.

How to slice an onion crosswise

This is the right shape for onion slices in sandwiches. 

1. Cut off the stem and root ends and cut in half. 
2. Place each half on the chopping board, flat side down. 
3. Make horizontal cuts. Make the cuts as even as possible. 

How to cut onions into onion rings

Onion rings are a classic snack. Here’s how to cut the perfect onion ring. 

1. Trim the stem and root away.
2. Peel back the skin. Remember to only pull the outer layer to keep as much flesh as possible. 
3. Remove a sliver of onion. Make a small vertical cut on one of the sides. 
4. Place the small flat surface against the chopping board. 
5. Slice away! This will produce onion rings. Make sure you keep the thickness consistent. If you want to add raw rings to sandwiches or salads, do a thin cut. If you want the rings for deep-fried onion rings, opt for a thicker cut. 
6. Separate the rings.

Onions are the foundation of great dishes

Because of their sweetness and acidity, onions are the perfect base for a variety of dishes. You can also add them to sandwiches, salsas, and salads. They are a staple vegetable that should always be in your pantry. And remember, you can buy quality onions for pick-up or delivery through Instacart. 

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.