Selecting the best knife for cutting an onion depends on its size, but generally a sharp chef knife or santoku knife work best for dicing medium to large onions. Their hollow ground blade design allows the knife to move smoothly through the onion when using a forward and down motion.
Onions are a flavorful staple in many recipes, but if you don’t know the proper way to cut them, you can be left with teary eyes and an unattractive presentation. As you begin your cooking education, try testing out these tips for effectively cutting an onion:
The right knife When you dice or chop an onion, using the right knife is essential. To get concise, clean cuts, try using a chef’s knife rather than a serrated knife. Chef’s knives are those with flat blades that slice easily, while serrated knives have blades with ridges that make it easy to grip and slice through softer foods like a crusty loaf of bread.
A tip from the masters To dice an onion like a pro, first grab your knife and cut it in half vertically through the root. Peel off the papery outer layers and lay the half down flat on your cutting board. Place your hand firmly on top of the onion and make horizontal cuts – starting near the flat side – in toward the root without slicing completely through. Next, holding it firmly in place, make vertical cuts into the onion without slicing completely, with the tip of your knife facing the root of the onion. Finally, turn your onion 90 degrees and make crosswise slices to create diced pieces. As the root of the onion is still in tact, it will be easy to grip the vegetable as you cut it and discard this inedible portion. Repeat with the other half of the onion.
Dicing An Onion | Gordon Ramsay
FAQ
What tool is used to chop onions?
What do you use to chop onions?
Do you use a serrated knife to cut onions?
What knife is best for cutting onions and peppers?
What is the best knife for cutting onions?
Using the best knife for cutting onions can make prep easy and quick. To get you equipped for cutting onions, we’ve researched the best type of knife for the job. Use a chef’s knife with an 8 to 10-inch blade to cut onions. A sharp chef’s knife, when used properly, will evenly slice and dice onions every time.
What are the substitutes for onions?
A small onion is a good replacement for a traditional onion. Other alternatives include pout onions, celery, grated chives, cilantro, garlic powder, garlic, garlic salt, and onion flakes, which is a dehydrated form of onion and has a mild flavor.
How do you cut onions with a chef’s knife?
Use a chef’s knife with an 8 to 10-inch blade to cut onions. A sharp chef’s knife, when used properly, will evenly slice and dice onions every time. You probably have a chef’s knife in your kitchen, but do you know how to hold it to cut an onion?
Can you cut onions with a Dull Knife?
But dull knives are still plenty sharp enough to cut you. Do it the easiest and safest way if you’re not an expert. Many chefs and experienced cooks chop onions in part by making horizontal slices parallel to the cutting board — and under their hands and towards their wrists.