How to Cut an Onion Into Chunks
No matter the type, onions are common vegetables in countless recipes. Chunks of onions are often used for flavoring purposes in stir-fry, soups, stews and sauces. Smaller chunks can be used in meat recipes and may even be used raw in various salads. Cutting an onion into chucks properly will not only enhance the look and symmetry of the dish, but it can save you time, which is often important when you're working in the kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Remove as much of the onion skin as you can by peeling it with your fingers.
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Cut off 1/2 inch from one of the onion's ends.
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Place the onion so the cut side is facing down. This will provide stability while cutting.
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Cut the onion in half from top to bottom then remove the outer layer of the onion.
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Lay the onion down flat. Then, using your sharp knife, make horizontal slices through the onion all the way from the front to the back. You want to slide almost all the way through the onion in the horizontal slide. The spacing between the horizontal slices is up to you. The more space between the slices, the larger the chunks of diced onion you will have at the end of the cutting process.
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Cut vertical slices into the onion, using the same spacing that you used with the horizontal slides.
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Turn the onion 90-degrees counterclockwise on your cutting board and cut the onion again in vertical slices perpendicular to the slices that you previously cut. As you cut, you will see that pieces will fall away from the body of the onion in even chunks.
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Tips & Warnings
While you are making the slices and cutting the onion, hold the onion firmly in your hands, but curl your fingers back into your palm. This will ensure that you don't cut one of your fingers with your sharp knife.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
