How to Dice and Cut Onions Without Crying

Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.

A few years ago my husband and I took a date night cooking class called Knife Skills 101. We learned how to de-bone a chicken, julienne, chop, how to hold a knife correctly and tons of other skills. The one thing that has stuck the most with me is a tip the chef shared during the class that was by chance, how to cut onions and not cry. Our Chef used to work in the prep kitchen on the Food Network for Emeril and she swears by it and now I do too.

 I have tried all the wives tales about holding a match in your mouth, chewing gum, and getting them cold first, none of that ever worked for me!The trick at the end of this post has never failed me.

First, let’s look at how to dice an onion:

Look at our onion, it has 2 sides. This is the root side. This is the side you want to leave on while you are dicing the Onion.
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
This is  the end you cut off. So grab your favorite knife. I use this Santuko Knife for almost everything!
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
Peel your onion and cut it in 1/2 through the root so that both halves will have part of the root attached. This will hold your onion together while you dice it.
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
Peel the outer skin off and place it on your cutting board with the flat side facing down. We use a Boos wooden cutting board so it won’t dull our knives as fast. We swear by them.  To keep your onion in place, lay your palm on top of the onion and hold the knife parallel to the cutting board. Slice layers into the onion stopping just before the root.
 Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
  Now cut your onion horizontal to the cutting board. Again only cut back far enough so that you don’t cut through the root of the onion.
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.

Finally, cut horizontal across the face of the onion and you will have a perfect dice without your onion falling all over the place leading to much frustration and maybe some words you should not say. Now you can cut onions with a smile!

Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
With the secret to cut onions without crying I can now cut up onions in bulk! I just cut up 10 onions and 3 bell peppers and didn’t shed a tear!  I measure them out in 1 cup freezer bags to use in soups, stews, and other recipes.
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.
So I’m sure you’re wondering jus when I’m going to show you how to cut onions without crying right? It’s as simple as a candle!  I know it sounds too good to be true but try it the next time you cut an onion, I promise you will never forget it! What’s the science behind this? The flame takes care of the gas in the onion so it never reaches your eyes. You just have to remember to light it before you start cutting and keep it close to the cutting board but I hope you will now be tear free and happy to chop the onions when someone asks.
Learn how to correctly dice an onion frustration free and the secret of how to cut onions without crying from a Food Network Chef.

 


30 Responses

  1. I always have used swimming goggles. It works, but you look like a dork. ????
  2. Love Bakes Good Cakes says:
    I would never have guessed!!! I'm trying this next time! :)
  3. Thanks for the tips! Will have to try it soon. When I tried this trick once a long time ago, it didn't work. But perhaps I didn't let the candle burn enough ahead of time or perhaps it was too far away from where I was cutting...will try again! I recently chopped up onions and froze them. Such a great way to save time and tears! But when I cook them up in a skillet, they smell really strange. Does that happen to you, too?
    1. No I've never had them smell funny but I usually only use them in things like tacos or soups. It may be the water that is on them steaming up from the pan. I set the candle right next to the cutting board or on the corner of it.
  4. Ida Dohoney says:
    Thankyou for the tip. My counter is "too"tall so I am fairly close to the onion when I am cutting. I will try both the candle and the stove burner or just give up and buy the goggles.LOL
  5. I work part-time at Subway, and I don't think my boss would like me burning candles there, but a great tip for at-home cooking! For other near-sighted folks like myself, I find that simply wearing contacts helps so much! I guess the gas from the onion just doesn't get past contacts and prevents the crying.
    1. msinfoblog says:
      LOL I am sure you are right but that does not work for me, I wear contacts and my eye\'s still burn!
  6. Jessi @ Practically says:
    Just wanted to let you know I featured this on my blog today! You can check it and grab a Featured button here: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/09/the-fun-...
  7. If this works for me you will be my hero! I cry like a little baby almost everytime I cut an onion, sometimes even green onions make me cry. I'm a big old wuss, I know.
  8. Jessi @ Practically says:
    Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing at The Fun In Functional, I'm really happy I know this now!
  9. Great tips! I'm sure I will be cutting an onion tonight so I will try your tips. Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays! I will be featuring this on my blog this weekend so be sure to stop by and check out the featured post. :)Julie
  10. nicolette {momnivore says:
    Yup. Pinning this.I'm Italian. I cut A LOT of onions...:)Visiting from Lucy's party...n
  11. Craftberry Bush says:
    THANK YOU for this...I cry EVERY single time...I'm def. going to try this . thank you for sharing at our first HAPPY HOUR FRIDAY linky party...I'm going to pin this to my great ideas board...xo
  12. Heather M says:
    Thanks for the tips! I have heard that it is the root area of the onion that releases most of the gas, so perhaps not cutting it off till the end helps too? I'm a contact lens wearer, so the onions don't really bother me unless I'm wearing my glasses when I chop. Then the tears are a flowing! I will have to remember this.
  13. Nicole {WonkyWonderf says:
    I'll have to try this - I cry my eyes out every time I cut into an onion!
  14. Bama Girl says:
    Hi Kelley! Wow! Who knew? That's a great tip! Thanks for sharing with us how to cut the onion properly, as well! No more tears! Blessings from Bama!
  15. Sarah @ Confessions says:
    I learned from Alton Brown that the gas onions release are burned by a flame, so he suggested chopping your onions right next to the stove. Well I have no counter next to my stove, so I set the cutting board on the burner, next to the one that was turned on. I melted the cutting board! lol. Your tip is WAY more manageable in my tiny kitchen. Thanks!
  16. SayNotSweetAnne says:
    This is so smart! I'd read that the reason onions burn is because they release a gas, that when mixed with the moisture in our eyes creates an acid. To this effect, cutting them near any open flame works, as it draws the gas toward the flame. I'd only ever thought of doing it near my gas stove, though. This trick will be perfect when I've already got stuff on the stove top!
  17. Kelley Wilson says:
    Let me know how it works for you!
  18. Kelley Wilson says:
    LOL, yes you will come to Love onion chopping ha ha ha
  19. FrugalFoodieMama says:
    Good morning dear! I loved this post (clever, clever tips!) and included it my A Little Sunday Potluck series this morning. :) Stop on over & check it out and grab my feature button if you would like...http://www.thefrugalfoodiemama.com/2012/09/a-little-sunday-potluck-9912.html
  20. sugarplums andlollip says:
    Hi there! I'm a new follower from MBC and would love a follow back at sugarplumsandlollipops.blogspot.com and also don't forget to follow my Pinterest (located in my sidebar, I follow back all my pinterest followers) :)
  21. I think I love you now lol. I can't tell you how much I hate chopping onions. Maybe now it won't be so bad.
  22. Shannon Slemmons says:
    Very cool, Kelley. You are truly "Miss Information."
  23. Shannon Slemmons says:
    Very cool, Kelley. You are truly "Miss Information."
  24. Amy CookingAdventure says:
    Genius! Thank you so much for the tips! I can't wait to put them in to practice!
  25. i've heard of putting them in the refridgerator before cutting them, but the candle is new to me! cool tip! perfect for a romantic dinner too!

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