Chopping an onion is a fundamental skill in cooking that serves as the building block for countless recipes. From adding depth to soups and stews to enhancing the flavor of sautés and salads, onions play a vital role in creating delicious and aromatic dishes. Let’s learn the quickest and easiest methods to cut an onion into 3 most popular shapes: petals, slices and cubes.
Preparation
Before you begin chopping an onion, it’s essential to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and equipment ready. This preparation will help you work efficiently and minimize the risk of accidents. Here’s what you need to do before you start chopping:
Selecting a Suitable Onion:
- Choose an onion that is firm and free from any signs of mold or decay.
- The size of the onion should be appropriate for the recipe you’re making.
- Keep in mind that different onion varieties have varying flavors and strengths, so choose one that complements your dish.
Gathering Necessary Tools and Equipment:
- Sharp Chef’s Knife: A well-maintained, sharp chef’s knife is crucial for clean and precise cuts. A knife with a blade length of around 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) is ideal.
- Cutting Board: Use a stable cutting board with a non-slip and flat surface to ensure your safety while chopping.
- Bowl for Chopped Onion: Have a bowl or container ready to collect the chopped onion pieces. If you cut an onion for salads, pour cold water to the bowl to soak chopped onion so that the fumes will be released partly.
- Optional: Onion Goggles or Chilled Onion: If you’re sensitive to onion fumes, consider wearing onion goggles or chilling the onion in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before chopping to reduce the release of irritants.
By having these tools and equipment in place, you are ready to cut your onion.
How to Cut an Onion
Step 1. Removing the Onion’s Outer Skin
This step is applied regardless your desired shape of onion, from petals to slices or cubes.
- Place the onion on the cutting board, root end facing down.
- Use your fingers to peel away the papery outer skin, revealing the fresh onion layers underneath. Keep the root end to hold all the layers of an onion together while cutting.
Step 2: Cut the onion
1. Shape 1: How to Cut Onion Petals
Creating onion petals is a visually appealing and versatile way to use onions in your dishes. This technique involves separating the layers of the onion to create petal-like segments. Follow these steps to master the art of making onion petals:
- Keep the onion steady on the cutting board with the flat.
- Make vertical cuts from the top towards the root end, stopping just before you reach the root. These cuts should be evenly spaced, and their depth will determine the size of the petals.
- Cut the root ends. Now all the layers are released.
- Gently separate the layers of the onion with your fingers.
Benefits and Uses of Onion Petals:
Onion petals can be used to enhance the visual appeal and flavor of various dishes, including salads, sandwiches, wraps or stews such as Vietnamese Beef Ragu. Their unique shape and texture add a touch of elegance to your culinary creations.
2. Shape 2 – How to Cut Onion Slices (Vertically)
Slicing onions thinly is a technique that allows you to add delicate onion flavors to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re aiming for thin or thick slices for a quick sauté or a salad, follow these steps to achieve consistently equal onion slices:
- Trim off the root end
- Place the onion on the cutting board and cut it from the top towards the root end into 4 equal parts (vertical cut)
- Lay one onion quarter on the cutting board, one cut side down.
- Start slicing from the rest cut side.
- After 2-3 slices, flip the cut side and continue to cut 2-3 slices more. Keep flipping so the slices uniform in shape and length.
Onion slices are matched well with salads, beef or chicken pho, pickles, etc.
3. Shape 3 – How to Cut an Onion into Cubes
- Keep the onion steady on the cutting board with the flat.
- Make vertical cuts from the top towards the root end, stopping just before you reach the root. These cuts should be evenly spaced.
- Dice the onion horizontally to create small cubes. If it’s difficult for you to cut the whole onion, you can divide it into 2 halves and dice them one by one.
- Cut it slowly and be careful to avoid accidents.
Diced onions are a kitchen staple used in countless recipes, including soups, sauces, stews, salads, and more. Their small, even size allows them to blend seamlessly into dishes, providing flavor and texture without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Safety Tips When Chopping an Onion
While chopping onions can be a rewarding experience, it’s important to prioritize safety to avoid accidents and injuries in the kitchen. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Holding the Onion Securely:
- Hold the onion with your non-dominant hand while keeping your fingers curled in a claw-like grip. This minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting your fingers.
Keeping Fingers Away from the Knife’s Blade:
- Always maintain a safe distance between your fingers and the blade of the knife. The knuckles of your guiding hand should guide the knife while your fingers are tucked away.
Maintaining Proper Knife Skills:
- Use proper knife techniques, such as the rocking or slicing motion, to maintain control over the knife’s movement.
- Keep the knife’s edge in contact with the cutting board to prevent the blade from slipping.
Using a Stable Cutting Board:
- Place a damp paper towel or a nonslip mat under your cutting board to prevent it from sliding around while you’re chopping.
Keeping Your Knife Sharp:
- A sharp knife is safer than a dull one, as it requires less force to cut through ingredients and reduces the risk of slips.
Remember that safety should always be a priority in the kitchen. By following these safety tips and maintaining mindfulness while chopping onions, you’ll create a safer and more enjoyable cooking experience for yourself.
How to Cut an Onion
Let's learn the quickest and easiest methods to cut an onion into 3 most popular shapes: petals, slices and cubes.
Materials
- 1-2 white/yellow/purple ornions
Tools
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
Instructions
Step 1. Removing the Onion's Outer Skin
This step is applied regardless your desired shape of onion, from petals to slices or cubes.
- Place the onion on the cutting board, root end facing down.
- Use your fingers to peel away the papery outer skin, revealing the fresh onion layers underneath. Keep the root end to hold all the layers of an onion while cutting in the next steps.
1. Shape 1: Cut Onion Petals
- Keep the onion steady on the cutting board with the flat.
- Make vertical cuts from the top towards the root end, stopping just before you reach the root. These cuts should be evenly spaced, and their depth will determine the size of the petals.
- Cut the root ends. Now all the layers are released.
- Gently separate the layers of the onion with your fingers.
2. Shape 2 - How to Cut Onion Slices (Vertically)
- Trim off the root end
- Place the onion on the cutting board and cut it from the top towards the root end into 4 equal parts (vertical cut)
- Lay one onion quarter on the cutting board, one cut side down.
- Start slicing from the rest cut side.
- After 2-3 slices, flip the cut side and continue to cut 2-3 slices more. Keep flipping so the slices uniform in shape and length.
3. Shape 3 - How to Cut an Onion into Cubes
- Keep the onion steady on the cutting board with the flat.
- Make vertical cuts from the top towards the root end, stopping just before you reach the root. These cuts should be evenly spaced.
- Dice the onion horizontally to create small cubes. If it's difficult for you to cut the whole onion, you can divide it into 2 halves and dice them one by one.
- Cut it slowly and be careful to avoid accidents.
