How to Cut Onions without Crying
Don’t you just hate cutting onions or am I the only one? I personally like to buy onions when they are at their cheapest and then chop them all up at once. Then I freeze them. I hate chopping onions so this helps save time and my tears for weeks with normal cooking. 😉 Here are a few tips for allowing yourself to cut onions tear-free.
1. Cut Under Running Water
This is pretty self explanatory, just chop your onions under some running water. The running water redirects the onion vapors away from your eyes, leaving you tear-free.
2. Soak it
Although this method makes your onions slightly milder, it works well in many foods. Just soak your onion in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes and then chop it. The water absorbs the onion?s sulfuric compounds, making their taste more mild and taking away the chemical release that causes your eyes to sting.
3. Freeze it
For this method, just pop your onion in the freezer for 15 minutes before you cut it. The cold keeps the onion from releasing it?s eye irritating chemicals.
4. Cut Under a fan
If your kitchen has a good overhead fan, you can easily keep tears away. Just turn it on and chop your onions underneath it. The fan redirects the fumes to it and away from your eyes.
5. Cut the root off last.
Cut the root edge off last after you have cut the rest of the onion. Some say that the most tear inducing fumes are held in the root, so save that for last to save some tears.
6. Wear Goggles
If none of the above methods work out for you or you just have no tolerance for the onion?s stinging effects, try a pair of goggles. While there are goggles made specifically for cutting onions, a pair of cheap swim goggles work just as well. This method keeps the fumes out of your eyes completely which means no tears.
Ok, I know some of these might seem silly, but them them a try and come back and let us know your tips.
What is your tip when you are cutting onions?
Like this fun kitchen tip? Check out these other kitchen tips:
- How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
- 6 Ways to use left over pasta
- How to Store Asparagus – Keep it fresh!
- Kitchen Tip: Flour a Baking pan with Cake Mix!
- Onions
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Place the onions in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cutting them as chilled onions release less syn-propanethial S-oxide that cause the eye irritation.
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Sharpen your knife as a sharp knife will cause less fumes to be released from the onion.
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Cut the onions around a fan or a vent hood so that the irrants are pulled away from your eyes.
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Make sure you cut the root edge off last as many of the fumes are held in the root.
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If all else fails, wear googles while you cut onions to help protect your eyes from the fumes.
jimmi says
I cut them with a burning candle near by. The fumes are drawn to the flame, instead of your eyes.
Carrie says
I love that tip – thanks so much for sharing.
Vio says
Before starting to cut the onions I take a mouthful of water and keep the water in my mouth until I finish chopping the onions. It works for me.
Carrie says
I will have to try that
Jenn McClure says
Cut the ends off and then use an apple slicer to press the onion into wedges. This prevents you from cutting into the core which when cut is what releases the most potent fumes. Once onion wedges are cut I peel off outer layer easily and then dice smaller the wedges if needed. I refused to cut onions and would always buy pre-cut till I learned this trick!