How to Chop an Onion Without Tears

Chopping an onion means cutting it into medium or large pieces that are often used for soups, stews, and stir-fries. Here’s a simple way to chop an onion:

1. Place the onion on a cutting board and cut off the top end. Keep the root end attached, as this will help hold the layers together while you cut.

2. Peel off the papery outer skin, making sure the onion is clean and smooth before continuing.

3. Slice the onion in half from the top end to the root end, so you have two equal halves.

4. Put one half flat on the cutting board with the cut side down to keep it stable.

5. Make several vertical cuts from the top end toward the root end, spacing them according to the size you want, but do not cut through the root.

6. Turn the onion sideways and cut across the vertical lines, letting the pieces fall apart into chopped sections.

7. Repeat the same process with the other half, and adjust the size of your cuts depending on how chunky or fine you want the onion pieces.

Dicing an onion means cutting it into small, even cubes. Diced onions are perfect for salads, sauces, and sautéed dishes. Follow these steps:

1. Cut off the top end of the onion but leave the root end attached so the layers stay in place while you cut.

2. Remove the dry, outer skin completely until the onion looks clean and ready to use.

3. Slice the onion in half lengthwise, from top to root, to give yourself two equal sections.

4. Place one half flat on the cutting board, cut side down, for better control and safety.

5. With the knife pointing toward the root, make several vertical cuts, spacing them closely for fine dice or wider apart for larger dice. Do not cut through the root.

6. Next, hold the onion firmly and carefully make a few horizontal cuts into the onion, keeping your knife parallel to the board.

7. Finally, slice down from the top end toward the root, creating small, neat cubes of onion that fall away as you cut.

8. Repeat the same process with the other half and collect your diced onions for cooking.

Slicing an onion creates thin or thick pieces, often used in sandwiches, stir-fries, or caramelized onions. The method you choose will depend on your recipe and how you want the onion to look in the dish. Here’s how you can slice an onion easily:

1. Cut off both the top end and the root end of the onion, so that both sides are flat and easy to rest on the board.

2. Peel away the papery outer skin until the onion is smooth and clean, making sure no tough layers remain.

3. Place the onion sideways on the cutting board, with one of the flat ends resting down to keep it steady.

4. Hold the onion firmly with your fingers curled under for safety, and cut straight across to create even round slices.

5. For half-moon slices, first cut the onion in half from top to root. Lay each half flat on the board, then slice across the onion to create even half-circle pieces.

6. Continue slicing until you get the desired thickness. Thinner slices are great for salads and sandwiches, while thicker slices are good for stir-frying or caramelizing slowly in a pan.

Cutting onions often makes our eyes water because onions release a strong gas when sliced. This can be uncomfortable, but there are simple ways to reduce the problem. Here are some helpful tips:

- Using a Fan: Place a small fan near your cutting board to blow the onion fumes away from your eyes. By moving the air away quickly, the strong gas does not stay around your face and cause irritation.

- Use a Sharp Knife: A sharp knife cuts smoothly through onion layers and crushes fewer cells, which means less gas is released. This makes the cutting process easier and reduces the chance of watery eyes.

- Chill the Onion: Put the onion in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before cutting. The cold temperature slows down the chemical reaction, so when you slice it, less gas escapes into the air.

- Onion Goggles: Special goggles designed for kitchen use create a protective barrier over your eyes. They stop the onion fumes from reaching your eyes, letting you chop and slice comfortably without tears.