[{"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "//img.thrfun.com/images/thriftyfun186x48.png", "src": "http://img.thrfun.com/images/thriftyfun186x48.png", "formatted_filename": "thriftyfun", "rendered_width": 186, "rendered_height": 48}, null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/015/331/cutting_onions_s.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/015/331/cutting_onions_s.jpg", "formatted_filename": "cutting onions s", "alt_text": "Wearing goggles while chopping onions.", "rendered_width": 200, "rendered_height": 300}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/021/952/onion_tears_m.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/021/952/onion_tears_m.jpg", "formatted_filename": "onion tears m", "alt_text": "Slices of red onion in bowl.", "rendered_width": 339, "rendered_height": 282}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/148/716/cutting_onion_m13.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/148/716/cutting_onion_m13.jpg", "formatted_filename": "cutting onion m", "alt_text": "A man wearing swimming goggles while cutting an onion.", "rendered_width": 450, "rendered_height": 299}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/166/423/sliced_onion_ts1.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/166/423/sliced_onion_ts1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "sliced onion ts", "alt_text": "Sliced red onions close up.", "rendered_width": 100, "rendered_height": 100}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/015/330/chopping_green_onions_ts.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/015/330/chopping_green_onions_ts.jpg", "formatted_filename": "chopping green onions ts", "alt_text": "chopping green onions", "rendered_width": 100, "rendered_height": 100}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/000/048/chopping_onions_step_1_ts.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/000/048/chopping_onions_step_1_ts.jpg", "formatted_filename": "chopping onions step ts", "alt_text": "Chopping the end off an onion", "rendered_width": 100, "rendered_height": 100}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/148/716/cutting_onion_ts13.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/148/716/cutting_onion_ts13.jpg", "formatted_filename": "cutting onion ts", "alt_text": "A man wearing swimming goggles while cutting an onion.", "rendered_width": 100, "rendered_height": 100}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Food_Tips_and_Info/Helpful_Hints/Preventing-Tears-When-Chopping-Onions.html", "unformatted_src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/024/203/peeling_onions_ts1.jpg", "src": "https://img.thrfun.com/img/024/203/peeling_onions_ts1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "peeling onions ts", "alt_text": "Peeling Onions", "rendered_width": 100, "rendered_height": 100}, null]
Preventing Tears When Chopping Onions

Category Helpful Hints Cutting onions releases an irritant that makes us tear up or cry. This is a guide about preventing tears when chopping onions.

Tip: No More Onion Tears

By attosa [437 Posts, 2,410 Comments]6 found this helpful
November 10, 2012

The tears from slicing onions can be so annoying. These tears are caused by releasing the gasses from the onion when it is cut and them making their way up to your eyes. Stop these gasses in their tracks just by sprinkling a bit of salt on your onion before chopping away. The salt dissolves the sulphur in the vapors. It also helps to use a sharp knife on a refrigerated onion, as less of the irritating enzymes will be released into the air. Happy chopping! Comment Was this helpful? 6

Tip: Slicing Onions Without Tears

By John Day [1 Post]5 found this helpful

Onions have been a part of my cooking for 50 years, and I'm still amazed at those who cannot cut one up without getting runny eyes. Here is how I avoid that.

Top and tail the onion without removing the outer skin. Halve it top to bottom, and place each half cut side down. One half at a time, remove the skin and chop or slice the onion, still "cut side" down. That's all. Doing that will avoid streaming eyes almost entirely. Mine have been free of it for many years.

By John from Queensland, Australia


Tip: Freeze Onion Before Chopping

By shirley felts [21 Posts, 5 Comments]2 found this helpful

Before slicing or chopping an onion, put it in the freezer for about 45 minutes. It won't burn your eyes since the liquid will be partially frozen!

Source: my mom

By ssfelts from Tallassee, TN


Tip: Use a Wooden Spoon to Prevent Tears

By Barbara Kamm [8 Posts, 3 Comments]0 found this helpful

I have no idea why this works, just that it does. When chopping onions, hold a wooden spoon in your mouth and you never have painful, teary eyes.

By Soochatty from Middletown, DE


Tip: Prepare Onions in Bulk

August 30, 20100 found this helpful

To peel onions without tears, soak onions in water for 2 minutes and peel. Process by chopping some and slicing the rest in the food processor. Then store in separate air tight containers in the refrigerator. Use as needed. They will keep for one week to ten days.

By Paramjeet from Mohali, India


Tip: Use Your Fan When Chopping Onions

March 14, 20080 found this helpful

Fed up with the tears when cutting up onions? Put your cutting board on the stove (while the burners were off, of course) and turn on the range's vent fan. Now you can chop your onions tear-free!

By Diana from Prospect


Cut Onions Wearing Swimming Goggles

May 15, 20170 found this helpful 
Archive: Slicing Onions Without Tears

September 23, 20100 found this helpful

Keep onions in the refrigerator for 4 days to stop tears when slicing onions. This is a tried and true tip.

Source: From a friend, Ena

By Heather from Australia



December 16, 20090 found this helpful


By Trish from Washington, DC


Slicing Onions Without Tears

By metroplex


By Deeli


By LULUbobo


By nedoglover


By c t


Number One: keep them refrigerated in the crisper

By dollyslaffn


By Laniegirl


By popet


By crazyliblady



October 14, 20090 found this helpful

When you are cutting onions, simply keep your mouth closed. Don't talk; and try not to breathe in too heavily. Worked for my mom when she discovered the trick andit works for me too.

Best to all of you.

By Renee D.



Just put the onion in the freezer for about ten minutes. That usually cuts down on the evaporation of the oils from the onion when you cut it. (04/05/2005)

By Busyangelmom


Wash the peeled onion in a few rinses of cold water. Does the trick. (04/05/2005)

By Sonya
 Slicing Onions - Tips and Tricks
Food and Recipes Food Tips Helpful HintsApril 28, 2012 Chopping Green Onions Chopping Onions 



Generated 2017/10/19 04:05:35 in 2 secs. ⛅️️ ⚡️