Even though I’ve been cooking meals for my family for a few decades at this point, by no means does that make me an expert! While I’ve mastered our favorite go-to recipes and the techniques I need to make them, there are plenty of cooking skills I never quite got the hang of.
Although it is a bit embarrassing to admit, one of the skills I continue to struggle with is dicing onions. I’ve watched enough Food Network shows to know how to do it theoretically, but putting it into practice is always another matter entirely!
So I recently started using a bold alternative to dicing onions, and it has already saved me so much time and effort! I wanted to share my secret with you today, in hopes that it makes dinnertime a little easier for you too! 🙂
One of the most efficient ways to get small, fine onion pieces that cook quickly is to grate them. Grating a raw onion involves shaving it down into very small slices that you couldn’t achieve with a dice or even a very fine mince.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
This technique (permission to call it a “hack” please???) is game-changing. Not only is it much faster than dicing, but it also goes one step further in breaking down the onion and exposing its watery insides, meaning that it will get even jammier and softer as it cooks.
My confession of the hour is that I almost never dice onions. I know how to dice an onion, and I have a sharp knife that’ll get the job done, but I find it…pretty tedious? Mind-numbingly boring? A hard-to-justify time suck? Oh, I’m being dramatic? Maybe so, but the closest I get to “dicing” is roughly chopping.
Okay, this is the part of the story where I say something about how great graters are, I think. But instead, I’m just going to leave you with this recipe:
All products featured on Basically are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Grated Onions: A Faster, Easier Alternative To Diced Onions
Instead of reaching for my knife when I need to cut an onion, I grab my box grater instead! After peeling the onion, I grate it against the largest holes and I’m finished in no time!
There are a couple of advantages that come along with opting for grated onions instead of diced. The first is that it’s so fast, which means I’m exposed to those tear-inducing onion fumes for less time!
Another advantage is that grated onions are quite a bit smaller than diced pieces. It cooks quite a bit faster than diced onion, and it’s less easily detected in foods by kiddos with picky palates. 😉
Tips For Grating Onions – Martha Stewart
FAQ
Do you grate or dice onion?
Is grated and minced onion the same?
What is a substitute for grated onion?
Why do you grate onions?
Grated onion gives you both flavor and texture. When you grate an onion, you get these tiny shreds of onion that provide a bit of crunch or bite to your dish. The flavor is pretty immediate and has that classic onion punch. Plus, because grated onions retain most of the onion’s natural moisture, they can add juiciness to your recipes.
Does onion help with postrate?
A study conducted on the effect of onion on prostate specific antigen (PSA) showed that administration of onion extract caused a significant decrease in PSA and total acid phosphatase when compared with the control group. This means onion extact can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
What is grated onion used for?
Grated onion is used in cooking to impart a strong flavor and aroma to dishes. It is especially useful when you want the onion flavor evenly distributed throughout a recipe or a smooth consistency. It’s the secret sauce in marinades, dressings, and dishes where you want that full-on onion flavor without the onion pieces stealing the show.
Is it hard to grate an onion?
If you’re looking for an easier alternative, I have two words for you: grated onions. It’s not hard to grate an onion and requires only the most basic supplies. Regardless of which type of onion you’re using, grating onions can add flavor while making life easier and saving you so much time. Ready to learn how? Let’s jump right in.