Skip to main content
HelloFresh Logo

How to Cut an Onion: Learn How to Chop, Dice, and Mince

Learn How to Cut an Onion Like a Pro

Onions are the backbone of thousands of savory dishes, from chili to marinara to salsa to soup. They’re also one-third of the holy trinity known as mirepoix (celery, carrots, and onions), which is used to add flavor and aroma to both restaurant and home-cooked meals. Given how often they appear in recipes, knowing how to chop an onion will make you a stronger cook right out of the gate.

But before you can begin chopping, it’s essential to know how to pick a good onion. Whether you’re working with white, yellow, red (sometimes called purple), sweet/Vidalia onions, or even shallots—a close cousin of the onion—start by picking firm, fully intact bulbs with tight skin, which indicates freshness (the more flaky and papery the skin, the longer it’s been hanging around).

The Basic Steps: How to Cut an Onion

The Basic Steps: How to Cut an Onion

The Difference Between Chopping, Dicing, and Mincing—and When to Do Each

The Difference Between Chopping, Dicing, and Mincing—and When to Do Each

Why Do Onions Make You Cry? (And How to Cut an Onion Without Crying)

Why Do Onions Make You Cry? (And How to Cut an Onion Without Crying)

Can You Just Cut Off the Rotten Part of an Onion?

Have an onion at home that’s bruised or starting to soften? It’s still safe to eat and cook with the firm portions. Peel away any soft, smelly, or brown layers of the onion and rinse. Cut out around the rotting piece, leaving generous edges of healthy onion, and continue chopping in the manner described above.
Fantastic HelloFresh Recipes With Onions

Fantastic HelloFresh Recipes With Onions

Get Started with America's #1 Meal Kit

Delicious recipes & ingredients delivered straight to your door
Delicious recipes & ingredients delivered straight to your door
*Offer only valid for new customers with qualifying auto-renewing subscription purchase. ‘10 Free Meals’ offer is based on total discount given on first box for a 4-person, 5-recipe plan. Customers who purchase a plan of greater value will receive more than 10 free meals, while customers who purchase a plan of lesser value will receive less than 10 free meals. 'Free Steak' offer is based on a limit of one item per box for the next 8 boxes until 12/14/2025, added to any new plan; offer good for a limited time while subscription is active; if subscription is canceled, this offer becomes invalid and will not be reinstated upon reactivation. *The cutoff for any changes is 11:59 PST 5 days prior to your next scheduled delivery. Shipping fee applies on all deliveries after the first box. Not valid on premiums, meal upgrades, add-ons, taxes or shipping fees. May not be combined with gift cards or any other promotion. No cash value. Void outside the U.S. and where prohibited. Offer cannot be sold or otherwise bartered. HelloFresh has the right to end or modify any offer at any time. Additional restrictions may apply. See https://www.hellofresh.com/termsandconditions for more.