No more tears, chopping onions.

[3Hotdogs]

A couple of months ago, I read that if we put onions in a freezer, about 15 minutes before chopping then, no more eye irritation.

I tried it tonight. It works.

[tanyev]

1. Ooh, clever. I'll have to try that.

[3Hotdogs]

2. I made caramelized onions and mushrooms with sherry added.

[usonian]

3. I found a similar solution.

I buy frozen chopped onions! Cooking for one, damn near everything spoils before I can halfway finish it.

I did find a thrift store item (yes, I'm the thrift store guy posting odd stuff) called Tränen Frei. Tear free. Looks like a strong nut chopper.

Like so.


Happy onioning!

[Phoenix61]

4. I keep onions in the frig. Works the same way. nt

[2naSalit]

5. +1

That's what we did in the restaurants I cooked in.

[Callalily]

6. I'll have to try that.

Typically I keep onions in my pantry. But like everyone else, shedding tears while chopping onions is not fun.

[hvn_nbr_2]

10. That must be why I never get tears chopping onions.

I keep them in the fridge.

[Emile]

7. Works, but makes your freezer smell like onions.

[sir pball]

8. Use a sharp knife

A sharp knife doesn't do nearly as much damage as a dull one, fewer crushed cells = less sulfur released = no tears.

I'm quite serious, when I dice an onion you can stick your face an inch away, take a deep breath, and barely get a scent let alone a burn. It's how I can tell if a cook needs to touch up their knife, I can smell the allium as I walk past their station.

[if..fish..had..wings]

9. This is very true

I recently had all of my knives professionally sharpened. No tears.

If you get tears chopping onions, you need to sharpen your knives!

If you keep your onions in the fridge either they stink up everything else (uncovered) or they lose their flavor (if covered).

Keep them at room temperature and cut with properly sharpened knives.

[Warpy]

11. Sharp knife, leave the root end on while you're chopping, no tears

Sharp knife is really important, keeps you from squishing the volatile chemicals out of the onion while you chop.