Sick of bawling every time you make a spag bol? Does onion soup fill you with dread? Fear not onion fans! Our 20 tips (and delicious dishes) will make chopping onions a totally tear-free experience!
Sick of bawling every time you make a spag bol? Does onion soup fill you with dread? Fear not onion fans! Our 20 tips (and delicious dishes) will make chopping onions a totally tear-free experience!
Try out our top tips for chopping onions without crying and let us know which worked best by leaving us a comment below the tip you tried. Happy chopping!
Light a candle
1. To stop you blubbing like a baby, light a candle next to your
chopping board - it's said to burn off the fumes that make you teary.
Use your chopped onions to make this delicious French onion soup
Chill them
2. Chill your onions in the fridge or freezer for a bit, before you chop them up - but not long enough for them to freeze! Lots of goodtoknowers swear it'll stop you crying.
Use your chopped onions to make Jo Pratt's, sweet onion and dolcelatte tart
Run the tap
3. When peeling onions, hold them under a cold running tap - it will stop you getting that stinging feeling.
Use your chopped onions to make this cheese and onion frittata
Open the freezer
4. Your kids might think mum's finally lost it, but sticking your head in the freezer in between chops will give your eyes some relief!
Use your chopped onions to make these onion rings
Onion goggles
5. It's another tip that might make you look like a mad scientist, but putting on a pair of swimming goggles will stop those pesky onion fumes getting to your eyes. Some shops even sell specific onion goggles!
Use your chopped onions to make these poppyseed, cheese and onion scones
Buy fresh
6. Choose the freshest onions you can buy to minimise the crying effect. Old onions are the worst for making your eyes water.
Use your chopped onions to make this butternut squash and feta salad.
Brush up your skills
7. Learning how to chop an onion properly will save you time in the kitchen and stop you from weeping! Watch our video to see the best way to chop an onion.
Use your chopped onions to make our pesto, onion and olive focaccia
No talking
8. Keep your tongue at the roof of your mouth while you're chopping away. Who knows why it works, but it just does!
Use your chopped onions to make this pork spag bol
Bread anyone?
9. Keep a bit of bread in your mouth while chopping onions - it's
another strange one that hundreds of cooks swear will stop your eyes
from streaming.
Use your chopped onions to make this sausage and warm white bean salad
Sharpen up
10. Other onion enthusiasts say it's all in the sharpness of the knife so make sure you sharpen yours regularly.
Use your chopped onions to make this baked chicken with potatoes and red onions
Block your nose
11. Avoid breathing in through your nose to stop the tear-inducing fumes getting up to your eyes. Instead, practice your best Darth Vader impression and breathe through your mouth at all times.
Use your chopped onions to make Sophie Conran's lamb shanks with caramelised onion
Fan yourself
12. Get a desk fan and have it blow in the opposite direction to where
you're chopping - just make sure it doesn't blow all your ingredients
off the surface!
Use your chopped onions to make this creamy spaghetti carbonara
Fill a bowl
13. If you can manage it, chop your onions in a bowl of water. It's another simple (ish) way to stop your eyes from stinging.
Use your chopped onions to make this roasted red onion and cheese toast topper
Have a spoonful
14. Another odd one - hold an upside-down teaspoon in your mouth while you're chopping onions to keep tears at bay.
Use your chopped onions to make a classic toad in the hole just like this one.
Chew gum
15. Keep your breath minty fresh and eyes tear-free by chewing gum while you chop. Just make sure your mouth doesn't still taste of mint when you tuck into this tasty dish!
Use your chopped onions to make our tuna and onion jackets
Leave the root
17. When chopping a large onion, leave the root on until last to avoid drowning in tears.
Use your chopped onions to make these hand raised sesame pork pies
Light the hob
16. Similar to the candle trick, place your chopping board across your front two gas hobs and light the back rings. The flames will burn off those eye-watering onion fumes, released when chopping.
Use your chopped onions in a classic sage and onion stuffing
Contacts over glasses
18. If you wear contact lenses make sure you keep them in while you cook. They should really help to protect your eyes.
Use your chopped onions to make Sophie Dahl's omelette with caramelised onions and red Leicester
Have a glass
19. Drink water while you're slicing and dicing. Our editor Jolene swears it keeps her eyes clear.
Use your chopped onions to make Ravinder Bhogal's spicy shepherd's pie
Cheat!
20. Lastly, if the burn is just too much - you can always 'cheat' and chop your onions in a food processor. We won't tell!
Use your chopped onions in a tasty risotto like this chicken and bacon version.
Where to next?
10 basic kitchen skills
Dinner of the day
