Don’t Cry, Chopping An Onion is Easy

How to Chop an Onion

  • Using a chef’s knife, trim the stem end of the onion.
  • Cut the onion in half from root to stem, and then remove the peel.
  • Put the onion cut-side down on a cutting board to keep it stable. Bend your fingertips back and hold the onion in place with your knuckles, then cut the onion lengthwise into ½-inch planks without cutting through the root end. 
  • Slice the onion in the opposite direction to make ½-inch pieces. 

Stop your crying: Use the sharpest knife available. A dull blade will crush the tear-causing enzymes in an onion, while a well-honed edge will slice right through them, keeping you dry-eyed in the kitchen.