ClosePhoto: Casey BarberFrom a sharp red onion to a milder, slightly sweet Vidalia, this important member of the allium family is a tasty addition to any recipe. Onions can be the star of a dish, like in ourCaramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Toast, or they can be used as an aromatic, like in ourSpinach, Feta & Rice Casserole. Before you can successfully cook with onions, you should first learn how to properly cut an onion. (And if you’re worried about tearing up, check outthese tips for cutting an onion without crying.)How to Store OnionsCasey BarberHow to Dice an Onion01of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosWith achef’s knife, cut off stem end, leaving root end intact, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel the onion.02of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. With the knife parallel to the cutting board, make one or two cuts lengthwise from the stem toward (but not through) the root end. (Stabilize the onion with your fingers on top and out of the path of the knife.)03of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosWith your knife now perpendicular to the cutting board, make a series of lengthwise cuts through the onion half, from stem to root end. Cut crosswise into dice.How to Slice an Onion04of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosCut off root end.05of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosCut off stem end.06of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosPeel the onion.07of 15Step 4Meredith Food StudiosCut the onion in half lengthwise.08of 15Step 5Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. Cut parallel to the grain of the onion from stem to root end, adjusting the cuts to the desired slice thickness.How to Slice an Onion into Rings09of 15Step 1Karla ConradCut off stem end, leaving root end intact. Peel the onion.10of 15Step 2Karla ConradSlice across the onion (widthwise) to create rings. Separate the onion into individual rings. Discard the root end. (To keep the onion from rolling when you slice, you can cut a small, flat spot to rest against the cutting board to help stabilize it.)How to Cut an Onion into Wedges11of 15Step 1Casey BarberCut off root end.12of 15Step 2Casey BarberCut off stem end.13of 15Step 3Casey BarberPeel the onion.14of 15Step 4Casey BarberCut the onion in half lengthwise.15of 15Step 5Casey BarberPlace the flat end of the onion on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts from stem to root end parallel to the grain, adjusting the cuts to the desired wedge size.Once you have your cut onions, there are plenty of delicious possibilities. FromSlow-Cooker French Onion SouptoSour Cream & Onion Melting Potatoes, onions add savory flavor to any dish. And if your recipe doesn’t call for a whole onion, learnhow to freeze onions to save time and money.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Close

Photo: Casey Barber

4 differennt types of cut onions on a cutting board with a knife

From a sharp red onion to a milder, slightly sweet Vidalia, this important member of the allium family is a tasty addition to any recipe. Onions can be the star of a dish, like in ourCaramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Toast, or they can be used as an aromatic, like in ourSpinach, Feta & Rice Casserole. Before you can successfully cook with onions, you should first learn how to properly cut an onion. (And if you’re worried about tearing up, check outthese tips for cutting an onion without crying.)How to Store OnionsCasey BarberHow to Dice an Onion01of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosWith achef’s knife, cut off stem end, leaving root end intact, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel the onion.02of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. With the knife parallel to the cutting board, make one or two cuts lengthwise from the stem toward (but not through) the root end. (Stabilize the onion with your fingers on top and out of the path of the knife.)03of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosWith your knife now perpendicular to the cutting board, make a series of lengthwise cuts through the onion half, from stem to root end. Cut crosswise into dice.How to Slice an Onion04of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosCut off root end.05of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosCut off stem end.06of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosPeel the onion.07of 15Step 4Meredith Food StudiosCut the onion in half lengthwise.08of 15Step 5Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. Cut parallel to the grain of the onion from stem to root end, adjusting the cuts to the desired slice thickness.How to Slice an Onion into Rings09of 15Step 1Karla ConradCut off stem end, leaving root end intact. Peel the onion.10of 15Step 2Karla ConradSlice across the onion (widthwise) to create rings. Separate the onion into individual rings. Discard the root end. (To keep the onion from rolling when you slice, you can cut a small, flat spot to rest against the cutting board to help stabilize it.)How to Cut an Onion into Wedges11of 15Step 1Casey BarberCut off root end.12of 15Step 2Casey BarberCut off stem end.13of 15Step 3Casey BarberPeel the onion.14of 15Step 4Casey BarberCut the onion in half lengthwise.15of 15Step 5Casey BarberPlace the flat end of the onion on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts from stem to root end parallel to the grain, adjusting the cuts to the desired wedge size.Once you have your cut onions, there are plenty of delicious possibilities. FromSlow-Cooker French Onion SouptoSour Cream & Onion Melting Potatoes, onions add savory flavor to any dish. And if your recipe doesn’t call for a whole onion, learnhow to freeze onions to save time and money.Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

From a sharp red onion to a milder, slightly sweet Vidalia, this important member of the allium family is a tasty addition to any recipe. Onions can be the star of a dish, like in ourCaramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Toast, or they can be used as an aromatic, like in ourSpinach, Feta & Rice Casserole. Before you can successfully cook with onions, you should first learn how to properly cut an onion. (And if you’re worried about tearing up, check outthese tips for cutting an onion without crying.)How to Store OnionsCasey BarberHow to Dice an Onion

From a sharp red onion to a milder, slightly sweet Vidalia, this important member of the allium family is a tasty addition to any recipe. Onions can be the star of a dish, like in ourCaramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Toast, or they can be used as an aromatic, like in ourSpinach, Feta & Rice Casserole. Before you can successfully cook with onions, you should first learn how to properly cut an onion. (And if you’re worried about tearing up, check outthese tips for cutting an onion without crying.)

How to Store Onions

Casey Barber

two onions resting on a cutting board at eye level

How to Dice an Onion

01of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosWith achef’s knife, cut off stem end, leaving root end intact, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel the onion.02of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. With the knife parallel to the cutting board, make one or two cuts lengthwise from the stem toward (but not through) the root end. (Stabilize the onion with your fingers on top and out of the path of the knife.)03of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosWith your knife now perpendicular to the cutting board, make a series of lengthwise cuts through the onion half, from stem to root end. Cut crosswise into dice.How to Slice an Onion04of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosCut off root end.05of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosCut off stem end.06of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosPeel the onion.07of 15Step 4Meredith Food StudiosCut the onion in half lengthwise.08of 15Step 5Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. Cut parallel to the grain of the onion from stem to root end, adjusting the cuts to the desired slice thickness.How to Slice an Onion into Rings09of 15Step 1Karla ConradCut off stem end, leaving root end intact. Peel the onion.10of 15Step 2Karla ConradSlice across the onion (widthwise) to create rings. Separate the onion into individual rings. Discard the root end. (To keep the onion from rolling when you slice, you can cut a small, flat spot to rest against the cutting board to help stabilize it.)How to Cut an Onion into Wedges11of 15Step 1Casey BarberCut off root end.12of 15Step 2Casey BarberCut off stem end.13of 15Step 3Casey BarberPeel the onion.14of 15Step 4Casey BarberCut the onion in half lengthwise.15of 15Step 5Casey BarberPlace the flat end of the onion on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts from stem to root end parallel to the grain, adjusting the cuts to the desired wedge size.

01of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosWith achef’s knife, cut off stem end, leaving root end intact, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel the onion.

01of 15

Step 1

Meredith Food Studios

Midsection of woman cutting white onion on table

With achef’s knife, cut off stem end, leaving root end intact, then cut the onion in half through the root end. Peel the onion.

02of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. With the knife parallel to the cutting board, make one or two cuts lengthwise from the stem toward (but not through) the root end. (Stabilize the onion with your fingers on top and out of the path of the knife.)

02of 15

Step 2

Midsection of woman chopping white onion on wooden board at table

Place the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. With the knife parallel to the cutting board, make one or two cuts lengthwise from the stem toward (but not through) the root end. (Stabilize the onion with your fingers on top and out of the path of the knife.)

03of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosWith your knife now perpendicular to the cutting board, make a series of lengthwise cuts through the onion half, from stem to root end. Cut crosswise into dice.How to Slice an Onion

03of 15

Step 3

Midsection of woman chopping white onion on cutting board

With your knife now perpendicular to the cutting board, make a series of lengthwise cuts through the onion half, from stem to root end. Cut crosswise into dice.

How to Slice an Onion

04of 15Step 1Meredith Food StudiosCut off root end.

04of 15

Midsection of woman cutting onion on wooden board at table

Cut off root end.

05of 15Step 2Meredith Food StudiosCut off stem end.

05of 15

Midsection of woman cutting onion on wooden board

Cut off stem end.

06of 15Step 3Meredith Food StudiosPeel the onion.

06of 15

Midsection of woman peeling onion on cutting board at table

Peel the onion.

07of 15Step 4Meredith Food StudiosCut the onion in half lengthwise.

07of 15

Step 4

Midsection of woman chopping onion on wooden board at table

Cut the onion in half lengthwise.

08of 15Step 5Meredith Food StudiosPlace the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. Cut parallel to the grain of the onion from stem to root end, adjusting the cuts to the desired slice thickness.How to Slice an Onion into Rings

08of 15

Step 5

close up of cutting a red onion

Place the flat end of one onion half on the cutting board. Cut parallel to the grain of the onion from stem to root end, adjusting the cuts to the desired slice thickness.

How to Slice an Onion into Rings

09of 15Step 1Karla ConradCut off stem end, leaving root end intact. Peel the onion.

09of 15

Karla Conrad

Close up of cutting an onion

Cut off stem end, leaving root end intact. Peel the onion.

10of 15Step 2Karla ConradSlice across the onion (widthwise) to create rings. Separate the onion into individual rings. Discard the root end. (To keep the onion from rolling when you slice, you can cut a small, flat spot to rest against the cutting board to help stabilize it.)How to Cut an Onion into Wedges

10of 15

Close up of slicing an onion

Slice across the onion (widthwise) to create rings. Separate the onion into individual rings. Discard the root end. (To keep the onion from rolling when you slice, you can cut a small, flat spot to rest against the cutting board to help stabilize it.)

How to Cut an Onion into Wedges

11of 15Step 1Casey BarberCut off root end.

11of 15

A close up of cutting an onion

12of 15Step 2Casey BarberCut off stem end.

12of 15

A knife cutting off the end of an onion

13of 15Step 3Casey BarberPeel the onion.

13of 15

close up of hands peeling an onion

14of 15Step 4Casey BarberCut the onion in half lengthwise.

14of 15

Close up of a knife being used to cut an onion in half

15of 15Step 5Casey BarberPlace the flat end of the onion on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts from stem to root end parallel to the grain, adjusting the cuts to the desired wedge size.

15of 15

A close up of someone using a knife to cut an onion

Place the flat end of the onion on the cutting board. Make lengthwise cuts from stem to root end parallel to the grain, adjusting the cuts to the desired wedge size.

Once you have your cut onions, there are plenty of delicious possibilities. FromSlow-Cooker French Onion SouptoSour Cream & Onion Melting Potatoes, onions add savory flavor to any dish. And if your recipe doesn’t call for a whole onion, learnhow to freeze onions to save time and money.

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Tell us why!