FoodHow to cut onions without tears: Easy kitchen hack revealed

How to cut onions without tears: Easy kitchen hack revealed

No more crying while chopping onions. This simple method with
No more crying while chopping onions. This simple method with
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Oliwia Pala

11:19 AM EDT, September 17, 2024

Does cutting onions always have to involve tears and burning eyes? It turns out, there's a simple way that allows you to enjoy cooking without the unpleasant sensations. Find out how easy and quick it is to cut onions without irritating your eyes.

Cutting onions often means tears for many people. Although onions add a unique flavor to many dishes, unfortunately, cutting them comes with unpleasant 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.

Cutting onions without tears? It's possible!

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?

A quick way to cut onions without tears

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 through. Then, turn the onion into thin strips without cutting it through. This will yield a fine dice.

Why is this method effective?

          
  • Less sulfur 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.

Other ways to avoid tears while cutting onions

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 sulfur 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.