Chef’s Lesson: Onion Mastery

Onions are the base of countless dishes — but mastering them is a true chef’s skill. Here’s how to chop like a pro:

No-Tears Hack

Why do onions make you cry? Cutting them releases sulfuric compounds that irritate your eyes.

Here’s a chef-approved fix: make it hydrophilic.

• Wet your knife blade before chopping.

• Or keep your fingers damp.

• The water attracts the compounds before they reach your eyes.

Simple science + sharper cuts = onion chopping without tears.

1 The Setup:

◦ Slice the onion in half, root to tip.

◦ Leave the root on — it keeps the layers together.

2 Horizontal Cuts:

◦ Place flat side down.

◦ Make 2–3 horizontal cuts toward the root (without cutting all the way through).

3 Vertical Cuts:

◦ Make vertical slices down to the root.

4 Final Chop:

◦ Turn 90° and chop downward = perfect, even dice.

Result: uniform onion pieces that cook evenly and look restaurant-quality.

Perfect for your next steak with caramelized onions.