How to chop an onion: Step 6

A key ingredient in so many dishes and available all year round, you’ll find the humble onion in practically every kitchen. Follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to finely chop an onion and you’ll have the beginning of just about any casserole, ragù, sauce or risotto…

You’ll need:

  • sharp knife
  • chopping board

How to chop an onion equipment

 

How to finely dice an onion

How to chop an onion: Step 7

 

  1. Cut the onion in half, from root to stem, and peel off the skin.How to chop an onion: Step 1How to chop an onion: Step 1.1
  2. Leaving the root intact, trim off the top of the onion and discard. Then place one half cut-side down on the board.
  3. Grip the top of the onion, tucking your fingers in. Using your lower knuckle as a guide, cut into the onion, slicing all the way round. Make sure you don’t cut all the way through the root, as this will keep everything together.How to chop an onion: Step 3
  4. Hold the onion with one hand and cut horizontally into it (twice).How to chop an onion: Step 4
  5. Gathering everything together with one hand, use your knuckle as a guide again and carefully slice down through the onion.How to chop an onion: Step 5
  6. When you get to the end of the onion, push the chopped pieces away with the knife, drop the heel of the onion down and slice to safely chop the last piece. Repeat with the second half

How to thinly slice an onion

After Step 2:

How to finely chop an onion: Step 3

Starting at the cut end, slice down into the onion, towards the root, using your knuckle as a guide.

How to cut an onion into onion rings

How to chop onion rings

Place the onion on the board. Hold the onion firmly with one hand and, starting at the cut end, slice the onion, cutting thick slices, towards the root, using your knuckle as a guide.

Tip:

Use the discarded root and top to flavour stocks.

For more top tips, watch the video below:

Need inspiration for using your perfectly prepared onion? Check out these tasty recipes: