Common onion measurements to help you determine how many onions you need per recipe. Some recipes call for one large onion, others call for 1 cup diced onions and some may say one small onion. It can be confusing to know just how many onions to buy or to chop. Here’s the general rule of thumb and some detailed info on common onion measurements.
PRO TIP: The way onions are used in most recipes means there is a lot of leeway in how many onions to add. Usually, it’s okay to use whatever you have – small, medium or large onions. Often, it’s even okay to add that extra half onion in your fridge. This is true for recipes like soups, stews, casseroles, curries, chili, frittatas, etc.
How many cups does a small onion yield:
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Sliced crosswise (⅛th-inch thick):
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Sliced lengthwise (⅛th-inch thick):
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Finely diced (⅛th-inch per side):
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about 10 slices
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about 1 cup (packed)
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about ¾ cup
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The Ultimate Guide to Onion Measurements
Need a more details? Check out this handy dandy infographic I made. I call it The Ultimate Guide to Onion Measurements. There’s an imperial and metric version.
For those who prefer metric measurements.
How to Fine Dice Onion
FAQ
How many cups is one small onion diced?
How much is an onion diced?
How many ounces is a small onion?
How small is diced onion?
How big should a diced onion be?
Diced Onion: When a recipe calls for diced onion, you should have small pieces about 1/4 – 1/2 inch. Diced onions are best for mixing into all kinds of dishes. You’ll know they’re there, you’ll taste them, but there won’t be large chunks in every bite of your food. Minced Onion: Minced onions are about as small as you can get.
How can one consume onions?
In the raw version, we consume a greater amount of potassium, calcium and phosphorus. We can think of creative ways to use onions, such as: salt seasoned with onions, pickled, in salads and as an ingredient in guacamole. Consumption of sautéed onions is common in sauces, as an accompaniment to meats, quiches and other dishes. An interesting way is to use it with rice at the time of cooking, to give a special flavor to the main dish. Fried, it can be part of the main course or an appetizer, like the famous onion rings. However, attention: the use of flour for breading and oil for dipping contribute to the increase of cholesterol.
How many cups of diced onion?
A small onion (approximately 2 inches in diameter) will give you about half a cup of diced onion. A medium-sized onion (2-3 inches in diameter) will give you a full cup and a large onion (around 4 inches in diameter) will give you 2 cups of diced onion. How do You Dice an Onion like a Chef?
How big is a sliced onion?
This is about the size of a Granny Smith apple. The measurements below are for one large onion ( 13 to 14 ounces and about 3 ½ inches in diameter .) This is about the size of a small grapefruit. 2 cups (packed) raw, sliced onion will yield about ⅓ cup caramelized onion.