How To Chop An Onion
Instructions
Knife Safety
Let's get ready to chop. Remember, practicing good safety techniques is the best way to ensure a fun experience in the kitchen.2 Before you even prep the onion, you need to learn how to hold the knife properlychopped fingers can really ruin your day.
Select a chef's knife.3
Make sure it's sharp!3
Wrap three fingers around the handle.4
Keep your thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the blade.2
This will keep the knife stable, giving you greater control over where the knife cuts.2
Now you can properly hold a knife, so it's time to prep the onion.
Step 1: Trim
An onion has two ends. The bottom end has the hairy roots. The top has a curled, papery tip. You want to trim the top of the onion.
Place a cutting board on top of a damp kitchen towel. 2
This safety measure prevents the cutting board from slipping. 2
Lay the onion on its side.3
The tip should point towards the knife.
Grip the knife as instructed previously in the Knife Safety section.
With your opposite hand, hold the onion steady.
Curl your fingers over the onion.2
Your hand will look like a claw.
This will protect your fingers if the knife slips.
Pierce the onion with the tip of the knife.3
Make a shallow groove about half an inch from the tip.3
This will ensure your knife does not slide over the surface.3
Rest the tip of the knife against the cutting board.4
Slice down and away from you.3
Cut through the onion along the groove.
The onion top should fall away.
Step 2: Peel
Turn the onion so it sits on the root.
Hold steady.
Keep fingers curled!4
Using the tip of the knife, make a shallow, lengthwise slice from the top of the onion to the root.
The slice should just be deep enough to remove unwanted layers.3
Slide your fingertips into the shallow cut.
Pull the layers back, peeling in one easy strip around the onion.
Step 3: Slice in Half
Place the onion cut side down, so the root end is facing the ceiling.2
Rest the tip of the knife against the cutting board.4
Center the heel of the knife over the root end.2
Slice down and away from you.3
You will now have two halves.
Each half should have a root end.
Do not trim the root! The root keeps the onion together as you chop.2
Step 4: Cut Vertical Sections
Place onion large cut side down.3
The root should point away from you.3
Make vertical cuts:2
Start at the left edge of the onion.
Press the tip of the knife a half-inch away from the root.3
Do not cut through the root!2
Push the knife down in a single motion to make a vertical cut.
Repeat at half-inch intervals until you reach the other side of the onion.3
Remember you are chopping the onion so the pieces do not have to be exact.
You can also adjust the size of the pieces to suit your needs.
Step 5: Chop
You are finally ready to chop.
The onion should be large flat side down.3
Turn the onion (or the cutting board) so the root is pointed away from the knife and the top side of the onion (the smaller flat side) is parallel to the knife.3
Start with the knife tip resting against the cutting board.4
Move the knife in a rocking motion.4
Slice down and away from you.3
Use the full length of the blade.2
Slices should be perpendicular to vertical sections.3
Slice at half-inch intervals.3
You will know you are doing it right when the onion falls apart into chopped square pieces.3
Push the onion toward the knife.4
The knife should rock back and forth on the cutting board.
Bring the onion to the knife. Do not bring the knife to the onion.
Watch your fingers! Keep them tucked under and don't forget your thumb.2
Repeat Step 4 and Step 5 with the second half of the onion.
