How to Chop an Onion

Intro: How to Chop an Onion

The full title of this Instructable is "How to Chop an Onion Without Crying Like Your Prom Date Just Stood You Up on Your Birthday". FYI.

Chopping an onion safely and without tears isn't as hard as you'd think! With a little bit of research and testing I've devised the perfect way to chop onions in any size, and in serious style!

STEP 1: The NO TEARS How To's

For a 'NO TEARS' onion chopping experience do these four things:

1. Put your onion(s) in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to getting started.
2. Get yourself some rad looking goggles that give you a full seal to your face. (swimming goggles work great!)
3. Once peeled, soak your onion for 5 minutes in cold water.
4. Place your cutting board on your stovetop (make sure it's not on first) and turn the hood vent on.

Onion tears are caused by the fumes that are released as the onion is chopped. All of the above help keep the fumes from reaching your eye balls.

STEP 2: Finger Safe Chopping Technique

SAFETY FIRST! To keep your fingertips intact, while holding your onion (or any veggie) curl your fingers over so that your fingertips are tucked in and your knuckles act as guides for the knife. (see pictured)

STEP 3: Let's Get Chopping!

Once you've chilled your onion(s) in the freezer for 15 minutes, donned your goggles and turned on the hood vent:

1. Cut off the top end of your onion(s).
2. Peel the onion(s) so there is no papery skin left.
3. Soak in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce onion tears.

STEP 4: Half It!

Cut your onion(s) in half.

STEP 5: Chop Chop!

One half at a time, follow the images above to make your vertical cuts.

*A map for chunky chops is at the end of this Instructable.

STEP 6: Get Horizontal

Now turn your onion half 90 degrees counter clockwise and do your horizontal chops. Stop when you feel you can't make any more cuts safely (aka without the knife slipping).

STEP 7: End Bit: Part 1

SAFETY FIRST: Part 2

To keep your fingers safe, the best way to cut the end piece is to flip it down onto the cutting board before doing a few more horizontal cuts.

STEP 8: End Bit: Part 2

SAFETY FIRST: Part 3

Turn what's left of your end bit and cut until you are close to the root. Compost that last little end nub along with the top bit. And you're done! Finely chopped onions without bloodshed or tears. A major kitchen victory!!!

STEP 9: The Chunky Chop

*Map for Chunky Choppin'

Comments

[chrisantyne123]

really helpful, i just noticed i have been cutting it wrong all this time

[nathan.speers]

good

[feirouz13]

to avoid tears chew a gum while cutting onions

[GeorgeS201]

Cut a Lemon in half rub on hands works great or Lemon juice then wash hands

[Marwanmemow]

do you have a solution to remove onion odors off your handst

[JohnD316]

Yes. If you buy a stainless steel odor remover you can rub it over your hands in running water and that will solve your problem. Anything stainless steel will do this. I am braver than most and simply use the same knife I used for the cutting and rub the knife blade backwards over my hand in cold running water. Works fantastic.

[lmnohos]

rub your hands on some stainless steel. my sink is stainless so i can do it there. maybe u have a spoon or another utensil to use.

[soysucielo]

A couple of drops of lemon juice rubbed around kills the onion (and most other) odors and leaves your hand smelling of fresh lemon. Any open cuts are going to burn, but a quick rinse under running water takes care of that. Also works well on fish and seafood odors on your hands.

[relbatto]

gojo mechanics hand cleaner removes garlic and onion from your hands then you can use good smelling soap for the go jo...

[relbatto]

gojo mechanics hand cleaner removes garlic and onion from your hands then you can use good smelling soap for the go jo...

[vincent7520]

Baking soda does the trick as well as others !

[Emma B]

Surprised no one has mentioned salt for removing garlic, onion or other smells from hands!
Simply rub some table salt in hands and fingers and rinse with water.

[Paige Russell]

I rub my fingers on a big stainless steel spoon under cold running water. Amazon also sells a stainless steel 'soap' shaped odor remover that I've heard works great!

[Crantoch]

Lemon juice should do the trick.

[Cueball21]

Jessy! You always deliver and in a fun, informative and useful way.

THANK YOU!

I got here from the cooking class and through the first 2 lessons I'm right in step with you. I'm a home cook who likes to learn. Though I'm rarely bothered by onion off-gassing because I prefer sweet onions for the most common foods, one thing that I've read - and it works for me - is to never chop the root end of the onion off until the very last cut.

[masterofcrafting]

Thank you so much! I hate having to chop onions because of what they do to my eyes. Thank you for saving me the trouble of having to take a break to leave the room every ten seconds of chopping.

[Pilgrimm]

Very Nice 'Ible! I do this almost exactly the same way, and have been doing so for years. The only exception is that I store my onions in the veggie bin in the fridge (seems they keep longer) and I don't soak the onion in water, which is still a great way to minimize the fumes. But the absolute best suggestion I can make is to keep your onion knife as sharp as a razor! I mean like you could shave with it if you chose. For years I used original French Sabatier kitchen knives, which are made of carbon steel, and fairly easy to sharpen to a razor edge. But the onion juices turn the blades all shades of nasty black and blue. Yuk. Sharpening stainless steel knives is much harder to do properly, but the sharper the knife, the less likely it will be that you will "crush" as much of the flesh of the onion, releasing more of the noxious sulfurous fumes! Great job. Thanks for the post!

[Saltyone]

Not sure how to get back to you regarding your request that if I ever had the opportunity to go to Martin Yan restaurant to say you said hello, well I probably will be going to his MY China restaurant in May so if he happens to be there, who should I say says Hello" Pilgrimm and would he know you by that name?

[Pilgrimm]

Oh! If you'll be going there in May, how about if I met you there, and we can share some DimSum? If you get there before me, make a mark on the sidewalk with a piece of chalk, and If I get there before you, I'll erase it! OK?

[soysucielo]

If you still have any of those knives around a green scotchbrite pad will shine them up nicely. Just remember to clean them after every use.