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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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How to Peel and Chop an Onion

Time Inc. Studios

Time Inc. Studios

The best way to reduce tears when you're working with onions is to minimize the amount of time you spend, by learning how to chop this versatile vegetable quickly and efficiently.

What You Need: Onions, cutting board, chef's knife

Follow These Four Easy Steps

1. Cut the top, then slice in half

Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice about a half an inch off the top of the onion and discard. Turn the onion to rest on this flat end and slice in half vertically.

Tip: If you’re only using half of the onion, leave the skin on and wrap what you’re not using in plastic wrap.

Time Inc. Studios

Time Inc. Studios

2. Peel off the papery layers

Remove and discard the skin.

From Real Simple: Cutting Board Know-How






Time Inc. Studios

Time Inc. Studios

3. Chop vertically

Take one onion half and lay it flat on your cutting board. Holding the root end, carefully cut vertically, making sure not to slice all the way through.

Tip: Leave the root side intact to make chopping easier.






Time Inc. Studios

Time Inc. Studios

4. Chop horizontally

Rotate the onion and slice vertically down through the onion, still leaving the root end intact. Discard the root end and repeat with the remaining half of the onion.

Tip: The closer together the initial horizontal and vertical cuts are, the smaller the dice.




More from Real Simple:
The Easiest Ways to Trim Produce
How to Peel and Slice Garlic
Quick Food Processor Tricks
How to Clean, Chop and Store Parsley

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 19
  • Lauren's Avatar
    Posted by Lauren Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:05pm PST

    FACT: If you chew gum while peeling an onion, you will not cry.. so i heard...

    Report Abuse
  • lilwuteva's Avatar
    Posted by lilwuteva Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:11pm PST

    I think the only thing that really works when it comes to onions is freezing them for a little bit. I've tried gum and putting them in the fridge neither work.

    Report Abuse
  • Jake's Avatar
    Posted by Jake Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:22am PST

    cut the root end off first!

    Report Abuse
  • Lilly's Avatar
    Posted by Lilly Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:31am PST

    what we already knew about peeling onions. outdated stuff. pliz be serious!!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • XOXO48's Avatar
    Posted by XOXO48 Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:46pm PST

    I light a candle by where I am chopping and it seems to burn off the 'onion fumes'.

    Report Abuse
  • brittany's Avatar
    Posted by brittany Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:06am PST

    Keep a bowl of water nearby while chopping onions. This is something that alot of pros do. The gas that gets released by the onion that makes you cry is attracted to water so it goes to the nearest source. That's why it hits peoples eyes.

    Report Abuse
  • DaisyGirl's Avatar
    Posted by DaisyGirl Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:43am PST

    This may be an old wives tale... but, I was told if you breathe through your mouth only (not your nose) as you are chopping it cuts down on the tears... It has worked for me but, it could just be a coincidence. or better yet put the onion in a food processor- voila... no tears!

    Report Abuse
  • caligirl's Avatar
    Posted by caligirl Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:13pm PST

    none of those ever work for me, i will be tearing up for hours after cutting an onion... so i put it in food proccessor and call it a day :)

    Report Abuse
  • sunny's Avatar
    Posted by sunny Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:57pm PST

    after you peel it run it under cold water then chop it .. always works for me!

    Report Abuse
  • mrscolbert's Avatar
    Posted by mrscolbert Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:10pm PST

    I keep a piece of white bread on the cutting board with the onion or near it.

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-10 of 19

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