How to Cut an Onion
Slice an onion in half lengthwise., Cut away the stem end., Peel away the papery skin., Cut the onion into thin slices., Repeat the process for the other half, then separate the pieces.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Slice an onion in half lengthwise.
Stand an onion on its root end.
Use a sharp knife to cut it from the top, stem end down towards the root.
You will be left with two halves, each containing half of a root and half of a stem./images/thumb/4/4c/Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/4c/Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg Use this technique if your recipe calls for any of the following: "French-cut," "julienned," "thinly-sliced," or "thin-cut." -
Step 2: Cut away the stem end.
Do not cut away the root end.
It will give you something to grip onto and help hold the onion together as you cut it./images/thumb/2/23/Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/2/23/Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg , Some onions have several layers of this thin, papery skin.
Keep peeling until you reach the thicker, moist, tender skin. /images/thumb/4/43/Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/43/Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg , Take one of the onion halves, and set it down on the cutting board, like a dome.
Begin cutting at one end and finish cutting at the other.
You can cut the onion widthwise or lengthwise.
How thick or thin you cut the slices is up to you, but something between ⅛ and ¼-inch (0.32 and
0.64-centimeter) thick would be idea. /images/thumb/8/86/Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/8/86/Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg Cutting an onion widthwise, or against the grain, will give it a sharper taste.Cutting an onion lengthwise, or with the grain, will give it a milder flavor., If you cut your onion lengthwise or with the grain, the pieces may still be attached to the root end.
In this case, hold the onion by the sides, then slice off the root end.Use your fingers to pull apart the pieces.
Find the root ends, then discard them. /images/thumb/4/4e/Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/4e/Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg -
Step 3: Peel away the papery skin.
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Step 4: Cut the onion into thin slices.
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Step 5: Repeat the process for the other half
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Step 6: then separate the pieces.
Detailed Guide
Stand an onion on its root end.
Use a sharp knife to cut it from the top, stem end down towards the root.
You will be left with two halves, each containing half of a root and half of a stem./images/thumb/4/4c/Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/4c/Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-1-Version-8.jpg Use this technique if your recipe calls for any of the following: "French-cut," "julienned," "thinly-sliced," or "thin-cut."
Do not cut away the root end.
It will give you something to grip onto and help hold the onion together as you cut it./images/thumb/2/23/Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/2/23/Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-2-Version-8.jpg , Some onions have several layers of this thin, papery skin.
Keep peeling until you reach the thicker, moist, tender skin. /images/thumb/4/43/Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/43/Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-3-Version-8.jpg , Take one of the onion halves, and set it down on the cutting board, like a dome.
Begin cutting at one end and finish cutting at the other.
You can cut the onion widthwise or lengthwise.
How thick or thin you cut the slices is up to you, but something between ⅛ and ¼-inch (0.32 and
0.64-centimeter) thick would be idea. /images/thumb/8/86/Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/8/86/Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-4-Version-8.jpg Cutting an onion widthwise, or against the grain, will give it a sharper taste.Cutting an onion lengthwise, or with the grain, will give it a milder flavor., If you cut your onion lengthwise or with the grain, the pieces may still be attached to the root end.
In this case, hold the onion by the sides, then slice off the root end.Use your fingers to pull apart the pieces.
Find the root ends, then discard them. /images/thumb/4/4e/Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg/v4-550px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg /images/thumb/4/4e/Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg/v4-300px-Cut-an-Onion-Step-5-Version-8.jpg
About the Author
Linda Barnes
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
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