How To Chop An Onion Quickly And Without Tears

400 5 minutes read

Onions are one of the vegetables that are often used to prepare a wide variety of dishes. Onions are added to soups, side dishes, vegetables are stewed with it and fried, put in canned food and salads, sandwiches are decorated with it.

Green feathers, arrows and bulbs are used. A person grows onions of different varieties: the usual onion, white and sweet red (purple).

Depending on the purpose for which the onion is further used, the methods of slicing it differ.

Small Shredder

In minced meat for cutlets and first courses, it is often necessary to chop the onion very finely. The same method is used for cooking children’s dishes:

peel the onion, remove all dry husks, cut off the tail and cut the onion in half;
cut each half into thin slices lengthwise;
rotate bulb 90⁰C, cut into the same slices across. Then, with a sharp knife, randomly chop the resulting cubes so that they become very small. The result is finely chopped onion, which can be added to soup, salad.

How To Cut An Onion Into Cubes

The most popular way of slicing onions is with cubes. In this way, onions are cut for frying, for adding to the fillings of pies and pies, for soups and second courses.

Cut off the tail of the onion and cut it into 2 parts. Remove the husk, but do not cut off the bottom yet, so that the onion layers do not crumble, and the onion is easy to cut.
Place half of the onion cut side down on a cutting board, with a sharp knife cut the onion lengthwise (from the tail to the bottom), cutting through all the layers. The width of each strip depends on the desired size of the cubes: the larger they are, the wider the strips.
Rotate board 90⁰C and cut the onion crosswise. The width of the transverse stripes is approximately equal to the width of the longitudinal ones. Trim the bottom and collect the onion in a plate.

How To Cut An Onion Into Strips

To cut an onion into strips, follow these steps:

Cut off the top and bottom of the onion and remove the outer skin.
Slice the onion in half from top to bottom.
Peel off the papery skin from each half.
Make several lengthwise cuts along the onion, being careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom.
Hold the onion together, and make several cuts across the onion, perpendicular to the lengthwise cuts, again being careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom.
Gently separate the onion layers to create long strips.

This technique is called a “julienne cut”.

How To Cut An Onion Into Rings

To cut an onion into rings, follow these steps:

Cut off the top and bottom of the onion and remove the outer skin.
Slice the onion in half from top to bottom.
Peel off the papery skin from each half.
Cut each half of the onion into thin slices, from top to bottom.
Separate the slices into rings by gently pulling them apart.

You can also slice the onion into rings before separating them, if you prefer. Just be careful not to cut all the way through the centre, so that the rings stay connected.

How To Cut An Onion In Half Rings

Onions in half rings are used for first and second courses (frying, stewing), as well as for pickling vegetables, mushrooms and meat.

Logically, you might think that you can get half rings from onion rings: cut the onion into rings and cut each in half. However, there is a way to quickly and easily cut the onion into half rings:

Cut the onion lengthwise into 2 pieces. Trim the tail, remove the husk.
Place half of the onion cut side down on a cutting board and cut crosswise into thin slices.

Some recipes for soups, main courses require maximum chopping of onions. It is difficult to achieve this consistency with a knife, so the onion must be chopped without a knife, in a blender or in a food processor.

To give a spicy taste to dishes, onions are often added, and for decoration or in sweet salads – red (purple) onions.

How To Cut An Onion Without Crying

Here are a few tips to help you cut onions without crying:

Use a sharp knife: A dull knife can crush the onion cells, releasing more of the tear-inducing compounds.
Chill the onion: Put the onion in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes before cutting it. The cold temperature will help to reduce the release of the tear-inducing compounds.
Cut the onion near running water or under a fan: The flow of water or air can help to blow the tear-inducing fumes away from your face.
Light a candle or burn a match: The flame will help to neutralize the tear-inducing compounds in the air.
Wear goggles or other eye protection: This will create a physical barrier between your eyes and the fumes.
Bite on a slice of bread or chew gum: This will help to keep your mouth busy, and may also help to keep you from breathing in the fumes.

Remember to always cut onions in a well-ventilated area to minimize the amount of fumes you inhale. With practice, you’ll be able to cut onions more quickly and efficiently, and with fewer tears.

How to store chopped onions

Here are some tips for storing chopped onions:

Keep them in an airtight container: Transfer the chopped onions to a sealed container, such as a plastic container or a resealable plastic bag. This will help prevent the onions from absorbing odors from other foods and will also keep them fresh for longer.
Store in the refrigerator: Place the container with the chopped onions in the refrigerator, as this will slow down the process of oxidation, which causes the onions to spoil and develop an off taste.
Use within a few days: Chopped onions should be used within a few days to ensure optimal freshness and flavor. Over time, they will start to lose their flavor and become mushy.
Store separately from other foods: It’s best to store chopped onions separately from other foods, as they can easily absorb their flavors.
Label the container: Label the container with the date you chopped the onions, so you know how long they have been stored and can use them accordingly.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your chopped onions stay fresh and flavourful for as long as possible.

Conclusion

Cutting onions can be a challenging task, but with a few tips and techniques, it can become easier and less tear-inducing. One important factor is to use a sharp knife, as a dull knife can crush the cells of the onion, causing it to release more of the sulfenic acids that lead to eye irritation. Additionally, it’s recommended to cut the onion under a vent hood or to light a candle near the cutting board to help absorb some of the irritating substances in the air. Overall, with a little preparation and some proper technique, cutting onions can be a manageable and even enjoyable task.