Onion, garlic, and shallots are all part of the allium family. Allium means “garlic” in Latin, including garlic, shallots, onions, leeks, ramps, chives, and scallions. In this post, I will show you how to onions fast and easily, so you can have them ready to cook your favorite meals.
How to cut an Onion
Having a big bowl of onions in your kitchen is a great idea. Onions are the base flavor for many recipes (vegan onion soup); they are a great finishing touch for salads and many vegan Mexican recipes (Mexican pickled onions).
With this method, you will slice, mince or chop an onion.
Cut the onion in half. First, cut the top part of the onion, where the stem comes out, the top position.
Place the onion with the cut side down, and then with a very sharp knife, cut the onion in half alongside leaving the root. The root, the grassy end will help the onion stay together and help with the chopping.
Peel back the onion skin and pull it off firmly. Remember to keep the root.
Save the scraps for making vegetable broth (affiliate link) later when you have enough.
How to fine dice an onion. Place the onion cut side down on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts into the onion, from root end to stem end. Do not cut all the way through; just up to the root.
When done, hold the onion with one hand, the other holding the knife, and make horizontal cuts.
Start dicing the onion. Then start dicing the onion by making cross-wise cuts from top to bottom. Discard the root and save it for making vegetable broth. You are done.
If you want to slice an onion, cut one in half like in the image above, leave the root on and peel the skin off. Place your knife on the broader part of the halved onion and start cutting parallel to the root. Cut off the root and discard or save it for making vegetable broth.
Tips for not crying when cutting onions
- Chill your onions; put them in the fridge or pop them in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use a sharp knife. It will not only be safer, but it will minimize the damage to the onion cells.
- Use goggles. I know, not very fashionable, but if you have a hard time chopping onions, this will work great.
- Cut near an open flame. This tip supposedly comes from Marth Stewart. The idea is that the flame’s heat will burn the fumes that make us tear up.
💡Some tips💡 If you want to take the bite of the onion away you can rinse it under cold water.
Recipes to use your chopped and sliced onions
- Mushroom and onion sandwich
- One pot onion tomato pasta
- Sweet potato chili
- Sopes
- Roasted garlic, how to make it.
How to cut onions, the best way
Equipment
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 onion
Instructions
- Cut the onion in half. First, cut the top part of the onion, where the stem comes out, the top position. Place the onion with the cut side down, and then with a very sharp knife, cut the onion in half alongside leaving the root. The root, the grassy end will help the onion stay together and help with the chopping.
- Peel back the onion skin and pull it off firmly. Remember to keep the root. Save the scraps for making vegetable broth later when you have enough.
- How to fine dice an onion. Place the onion cut side down on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts into the onion, from root end to stem end. Do not cut all the way through, just up to the root. When done, hold the onion together with one hand, with the other holding the knife, and make horizontal cuts.
- Start dicing the onion. Then start dicing the onion by making cross-wise cuts from top to bottom. Discard the root and save it for making vegetable broth. You are done.
- If you want to slice an onion, Cut one onion in half like in the image above, leave the root on and peel the skin off. Place your knife on the broader part of the halved onion and start cutting parallel to the root. Cut off the root and discard or save it for making vegetable broth.
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I have a Profesional Certification in vegan cooking; in the world of cooking based on vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes… in clean, organic and vegan food.
My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
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