Name: How to Chop Up an Onion
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: Cutting Board; Sharp Knife; Onion

It is not hard to learn how to chop up an onion! This simple tutorial will help you use this versatile ingredient in your delicious homemade food.

chopped up onions with a knife on a wooden cutting board

I find myself chopping onions nearly every day. They are considered an aromatic vegetable – vegetables that have a deep flavor especially when they are heated or crushed.

These types of vegetables are usually used to elevate the base of a dish and help bring so much flavor to savory dishes. At least, that’s my favorite way to use them!

You can find chopped up onions in so many of our favorite dishes from soups, to meatloaf, to roast beef or chicken. We also really like to saute onions to bring out an even richer flavor!

While there are a few other ways to chop up an onion, I find this way to be the easiest.

Video of How to Chop Up an Onion

Tips for Chopping Up an Onion:

Use a sharp knife. While it may seem counter-intuitive, a sharp knife is actually safer to use. You don’t need to apply as much pressure to cut with a sharp knife. This reduces the chance of your knife slipping as you cut.
Keep your fingers out of the way of the blade. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I know just how easy it is to forget this sort of thing as you are concentrating on a new skill.
If your cutting board slides easily as you are cutting, put a damp paper towel or wash cloth underneath. This will help your cutting board stay in place!
It is totally possible to cut an onion without crying. Put your onion in the freezer before cutting for at least 15 minutes. This will help protect your eyes from tearing up as you cut the onion. Some onions are really strong! Or you may be like my husband and have really sensitive eyes to onion fumes.

Variations on How to Chop Up an Onion:

Cut onions into strips: Once you have cut your onion in half, you will cut each half against the grain multiple times. If you want to cut your onions into strips for something like fajitas, this is where you will stop cutting. On onion is made up of layers, so you will find that each onion slice breaks apart into beautiful strips!
Cut onions into chunks: Onions cut into chunks make a great addition to stews and roasted meats. Once you have cut your onion in half, you will make three to four cuts against the grain about one inch apart. This will give you a nice wedge to work with! Additionally, you can cut each wedge in half to create a chunk of onion that is not as long.

Can I store the chopped onions if I do not use them all?

You can store chopped onions in a sealed container or bag for 7 – 10 days in the refrigerator or up to 6 months or so in the freezer. Just note that the onions stored in the refrigerator may get stronger the longer they are stored.

sharp knife laying beside a pile of chopped onions on a wooden cutting board

Materials Needed to Chop Up an Onion

Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Onion

Instructions for Chopping Up an Onion

Place the onion on the cutting board and cut off each end of the onion.

woman's hands cutting the ends off an onion with a knife on a wooden cutting board

Use your fingers to peel off the skin of the onion. Sometimes I end up removing the first layer of onion as well.

Cut the onion in half length-wise – From end to end.

half of an onion resting on a wood cutting board beside a woman's hand holding a knife

Take one of the halves and make 1/4 inch slices from end to end. You can adjust the width of each slice if you prefer them thicker or thinner.

woman's hands with knife cutting half of an onion into slices on a wood cutting board

Rotate the onion half and slice in the other direction from side to side.

woman's hands holding a knife chopping an onion on a cutting board

Use the onion in your next recipe!

How will you use them?!

Do you already have some recipes in mind that use chopped up onions? Let me know in the comments section what you are planning to make!

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Knife – My husband did some research for a sharper, higher quality knives that were still within a decent budget. He ended up getting me this one for my birthday one year!

Cutting Board with Non-Skid Feet – I have always had trouble with some of my cutting boards moving or rotating as I used them. We were just recently gifted this cutting board and am loving the non-skid feature!

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