How to Cut an Onion

Dice an onion quickly and evenly without crushing it or chasing pieces around the board.

1. Trim and halve the onion

   Slice off the pointed top (the stem end), then stand the onion on that flat cut and slice straight down through the root. Leave the hairy root end intact — it holds the layers together while you cut.

2. Peel each half

   Lay a half flat-side down and peel off the papery skin plus the first tough layer. Keep the root end attached.

3. Make horizontal and vertical cuts

   With the root pointing away from your knife hand, make 2-3 horizontal cuts parallel to the board (stopping before the root), then several vertical cuts top to bottom, again stopping just short of the root. Closer cuts mean a finer dice.

4. Slice across to dice

   Cut down across your previous cuts and the onion falls apart into even pieces. Discard the root end last. Keep fingertips curled back in a claw and let the knife glide against your knuckles for safety.