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Few people enjoy peeling onions, especially not when the tears start to fall. To get around this, try one of the following ways to cut and peel any sized onion in seconds!
Peeling and Onion the Fast Way
Cut your onion in half vertically, then slice off the top and bottom of the onion. Peel off the outer layer of the onion and discard the skin. Cut it into thin, vertical slices. To get even smaller pieces, turn the onion and cut across it again to dice it.
Steps
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Cut an onion in half vertically. -
Place the halves "cut side down" on the cutting board.Advertisement -
Cut off the unusable portions at the top and bottom of each half.
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Peel back the top layer of each onion half. [1] X Research source
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Rinse the onion halves under cold water to remove any peel residue. Rinsing also reduces the residue that causes your eyes to water when handling onions. [2] X Research source
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When an onion is halved, it is much easier to cut into thin slices.
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Turn your cutting board ninety degrees after slicing, and you can easily dice your onion as well.
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Preheat a frying pan. -
Cut the onion in half. Cut off the unusable parts (top and bottom).
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Stab the cut side with a fork. Hold the skin side against the base of the warming frying pan. -
Wait until the papery part of the skin loosens. Lift the onion right and you'll be able easily pull off the skin.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDo you need to remove the first layer of onion after the papery portion?Community AnswerNo, it is edible but may be a bit tougher than the rest of the onion.
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QuestionHow does peeling an onion hurt the eyes?Community AnswerPeeling or cutting an onion produces sulfuric acid, which burns the eyes and stimulates the tear glands.
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QuestionHow long would it take to peel an onion?Community AnswerNo more than a minute, depending on the type of onion and how thick the skin is, it could take a little less or more time.
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Tips
- If you don't want to cut onion in halves, make a single shallow cut from top to bottom, just enough to slide the knife tip in and lift off the topmost layer to peel it off.Thanks
- If you wear goggles (used by swimmers) you do not have to cry while cutting onions in pieces... it looks silly, but it helps!Thanks
- You can also chew gum or put a piece of bread in your mouth so it is visible to prevent crying.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Holding a wooden match in your teeth will also help your eyes not sting.
- Light a candle in a jar and it will help keep your eyes from burning.
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Warnings
- Always wash fruits and vegetables before you cut them to prevent dragging whatever is on the skin through the food along the knife blade.Thanks
- Use a non-serrated knife: a serrated knife will twist in the onion as it cuts, and create uneven slices, and if you're not careful, injure you!Thanks
- If possible, use a separate cutting board for each of the following: raw meats, poultry, cooked foods, seafood, fruit and vegetables, and dairy, to avoid cross-contamination (for example, bacteria found in raw meat juices can contaminate vegetables, if you use the same board). After each use, scrub the cutting board with hot, soapy water.Thanks
- Always use care when using kitchen knives to avoid cutting yourself.Thanks
- Washing your hands under cold running water while rubbing the stainless steel of your faucet or sink after slicing an onion (or garlic) will remove the scent from your fingers. [3] X Research sourceThanks
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References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To peel an onion quickly, start by cutting it in half vertically. Then, place the halves cut-side down and cut off the tops and bottoms. Finally, peel off the top layer of each onion half. If there's any leftover residue from the peel, run the onions under cold water to rinse it off. To learn how to peel an onion quickly using heat, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Rinsing the cut onion under running water so it doesn't sting your eyes."
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