5 Ways to Cut Onions Without Tears
I really do love to cook. But one of the things I just can’t stand is cutting onions. I love to eat onions, love to cook with onions and to be honest I put onions in almost everything I make (well except desserts obviously). My favorite onions are Sweet White Walla Walla Onions or Red Onions. I really never use yellow onions, as they are just too strong.
Onions have a chemical called prophanethial S-oxide that is released when the onion is cut. This chemical is not harmful to you in any way OTHER than it causing your eyes to burn like crazy and tear up. Seriously I literally don’t hardly ever cry….but when I am cutting an onion I look like someone just killed my dog…I’m a mess! So…Here are a few tips of the trade (per say) that you can use to help you cut onions without turning into a tearful mess!
1. Use a sharp knife. This will allow you to cut the onion without causing excess damage and thus releasing fewer irritants.
2. Chill the onion before cutting. Keep your onion in the refrigerator for at least 30 minute before cutting. Once the onion is chilled, it will release less of the irritant while cutting. I actually just store my onions in the fridge so I don’t have to think ahead about this step.
3. Cut the onion efficiently. My parents were both chefs and taught me to always cut my onion in half (unpeeled and roots in tact). This allows for less of the chemicals to become exposed. Also once the onion is cut in half, you will want to place the cut side down to the cutting board, thus allowing less of the irritant to be exposed. Once you are done chopping one half of you onion, put the cut pieces in a bowl with a towel resting over top.
4. Cut the onion under running water. This method is not as “safe” as the others, for the obvious reason that your knife can slip while being wet. But if you are confident in your knife skills and really need to find a method that works…this one seems to really do the trick.
5. Buy Onion Goggles. I know they may not be stylish, but when worse, come to worse – goggles will do the trick. Check out these onion cutting goggles that are sure to keep your eyes happy and tear free.
Bonus Tip: If it’s convenient for you, run a fan from behind you blowing the air away from your face while you are cutting your onion. You can also use a hood vent to help keep the irritants away from your face.
9 Comments
lifeinatx
Haha this is great. I always chill my onions before chopping them! The best trick ever!
xoxo
Lee Anne
http://lifeinatx.com/
Aishwarya S
This is so helpful. Definitely going to try this the next time! 🙂
Leah
Oh my goodness, I have such issues with onions! I think I have tried every single one of these except the goggles! I used to work in restaurants and couldn’t even go in the kitchen when they were cutting onions! Sigh – so I just make my hubby do it! Ha!
The Southern Thing
I’ve actually never gotten tears from cutting onions. Now I’m thinking it’s probably because I keep them refrigerated!
Nicole C L
I have the manual food processor from Pampered Chef that I use. The faster you chop, the smaller the pieces. The slower you go, the bigger the pieces. And it’s lidded so no more tears!
Willow
I always use a sharp knife and chill my onion before cutting, but sometimes I get one that is really potent anyway. Maybe it is time for the onion goggles!
thewordhermit
I always cry when I make onions, but the tip that works for me is to light a candle next to my cutting board. Works every time. I do use a sharp knife as well.
Molly Kumar
OMG, this is so needed – Onions is almost an everyday ingredient in our Indian cooking and saving tears n time would be great 🙂
Victoria Klingonsmit (@vicsecret007)
You can put a piece of bread in your mouth while cutting an onion. It really works.