What's the *secret* to chopping onions W/O crying/dying?

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Replies

  • mommachef
    mommachef Posts: 52
    I use my Pampered Chef Food Chopper.
  • bekkaL85
    bekkaL85 Posts: 133 Member
    Two things that I do that always work:

    1. Keep them in the veggie crisper of your fridge.

    2. If the above doesn't work, hold a match with your teeth, the red end out.

    No clue why these work, but they always do!
  • MisterGoodBar
    MisterGoodBar Posts: 157 Member
    i've been told to put lemon juice on the blade.

    also, have been told to put vinegar on the cutting board.
  • Michelle650
    Michelle650 Posts: 218
    I was told by my granny not to talk and to keep my mouth shut!

    I do know a trick though, if you find the smell of onion lingers on your hands after chopping, do not wash your hands in warm water. It never gets rid of the smell. You must wash them in cold water! Smelly onion hands begone! Works every time!
  • socalsweetheart87
    socalsweetheart87 Posts: 38 Member
    i love onions...

    1. (easiest) go to your grocers freezer and find the chopped frozen onions... works great but stinks up the freezer even through 2 plastic bags....

    2. when you buy it, take the outside of it off and put it in a plastic bag in the fridge. when you are ready to use it chop like normal but stand straight so your face isn't over the onion and keep your mouth closed. (if its still a powerful onion reduce breathing if possible lol )

    I am very sensitive to the onions, my husband can be cutting them in the kitchen and i am across the house and i will tear up, but since I've done one of these two things I've only had mild irritation and i don't have to wait for someone to cut them for me.
  • LaMejor5
    LaMejor5 Posts: 3
    Mrs Bully knows the secret! I read an article a few years ago that said to wear sunglasses or goggles while chopping onions. I tried and wouldn't touch an onion without it. Lol When people walk in the kitchen and see me with glasses on they die laughing... :)
    Goodluck!
  • Dina275
    Dina275 Posts: 35 Member
    If it gets really bad I bend down under the bench so that my eyes aren't up above the onions, it does actually help!
  • EmpressOfJudgment
    EmpressOfJudgment Posts: 1,162 Member
    I use my Pampered Chef Food Chopper.
    I have that! I hate cleaning it though.
  • Have the onions chilled and if no time to do this place a lit candle on the counter by where your cutting.....good luck !!:smile:
  • shellebelle87
    shellebelle87 Posts: 291 Member
    Once you take the outer layer of skin off, hold the onion under cold running water for a minute or two, and that usually stops it.
  • mrsnathanandrew
    mrsnathanandrew Posts: 631 Member
    We keep our onions in the fridge, I've never cried while chopping :)
  • PayneAS
    PayneAS Posts: 669 Member
    Since my husband doesn't eat onions I don't chop them anymore but when I did I would immediately stick them in a bowl of water or under running cold water for a min.
  • BaDaSsBrUnEtTe
    BaDaSsBrUnEtTe Posts: 518 Member
    lemon juice on the knife and cutting board
  • weevil66
    weevil66 Posts: 600 Member
    The sure fire way is to get somebody else to chop them Failing that, maybe a food chopper or mini mincer.
  • futurestarz
    futurestarz Posts: 510
    I heard lighting a candle near where you're chopping works. I tried it while chopping THREE large onions ad didn't shed a tear!
  • josavage
    josavage Posts: 472 Member
    I just wear big sunglasses when I chop onions and it doesn't bother me at all. If I don't wear them, major crying.
  • sharpeoplepc
    sharpeoplepc Posts: 84 Member
    Goggles
  • chewing gum
  • MLgarcia3
    MLgarcia3 Posts: 503
    I keep mine in the fridge and don't have that issue anymore
  • TheresaC928
    TheresaC928 Posts: 849
    Cut them by a sink with cold running water. Every few cuts rinse the onion with water. Only way I can cut an onion. Not sure how they do it on food shows.
  • rudegyal_b
    rudegyal_b Posts: 593 Member
    i sit down to chop (or crouch), really it works everytime! i think the juice rises, so if you are eye level with the onion it doesnt go in your eyes as much, try it!
  • darc_kay
    darc_kay Posts: 7
    bite down on a match stick just leave the part that you light out of your mouth......soaking the onion in water works too.....but in all my culinary yrs. i just bit down on a match stick :)
  • kcmcd
    kcmcd Posts: 239 Member
    Keep your onion cold, and chop it as quickly as you can (safely). They move really quickly.
  • Maurice1966
    Maurice1966 Posts: 419 Member
    hold a slice of bread in your mouth
    breath through your mouth as your chop
    wear goggles
    if that fails - get someone else to do it
  • Sam_Hain
    Sam_Hain Posts: 68 Member
    From my understanding you just need to keep your knife super sharp.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    sharp knife and quick cuts.that's how the pros do it
  • DieVixen
    DieVixen Posts: 790 Member
    rub the onion on your eyes,it sounds like it wont work but it does!!! I saw it on DR OZ and The Doctors
  • Have someone else cut them
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
    I wear my goggles from chemistry lab.