How to cut onions without tears: A chef's simple trick

Cutting onions is an activity that means tears for many people. Although onions add a unique flavour to many dishes, cutting them can result in burning eyes and a stream of tears. But what if I told you that you’ve been cutting onions the wrong way your entire life? There's a simple trick that helps avoid these problems. It will make cutting onions easier, and you won’t have to wipe away tears anymore. Want to know how to do it? Check out the correct approach to cutting onions.

Onions are among the most frequently used vegetables in the kitchen. We add them to sauces, soups, and salads and sometimes even serve them raw. Unfortunately, during the cutting process, enzymes are released that react with a substance present in onions, creating a gas that irritates our eyes. As a result, you feel a burning sensation, and tears start to flow.

This problem is so common that many people look for various solutions. Protective glasses, chilling the onion, or using special knives are some suggestions circulating among kitchen tips. But what if there’s a simpler way to make cutting onions pain-free?

To avoid tearing up while cutting onions, it’s worth applying the following technique:

1. Prepare the onion: Peel the onion, cutting off only the roots.
2. Grip: Hold the onion by the part with green leaves.
3. Cutting: Cut the onion lengthwise in half, but don’t cut it all the way through. Then, turn the onion into thin strips without cutting it all the way through. This will yield fine dice.

Why is this method effective?

  
• Less sulphur compounds released: Because you don’t cut the onion in half right away, fewer irritating substances are released.
• Speed of cutting: Quick cutting minimizes contact time with the onion, which reduces the risk of eye irritation.

Besides changing the cutting technique, you can also apply other methods:

      
• Chill the onion: Before cutting, chill the onion in the refrigerator or freezer. Low temperatures slow down chemical reactions and reduce the release of irritating substances.
• Soak the onion in water: Before cutting, soak the onion in a bowl of cold water. This helps neutralize some of the sulphur compounds.
• Use a fan: Turn on a fan to remove irritating fumes from the air.
• Wear protective glasses: If the above methods don’t work, you can use protective glasses.

Cutting onions without tears is possible! Just apply the right technique and some additional tricks. This way, preparing dishes will become a pleasure, not a chore.