How To Peel An Onion Properly

How To Peel An Onion Properly and Best Way

This is step-by-step on how to peel an onion properly, quickly, and the best way, as done in restaurants.

Setup with the onion, cutting board, and knife near the sink. Then, cut both ends of the onion and discard into the sink.

Slowly and safely carve a shallow, slitting action across one end to the other.

While holding the onion with one hand, use the knife (in the other hand) to lift up part of the slit skin.

With the onion holding hand, use a thumb or finger as a wedge to keep it lifted so you can then lay down the knife and have a free hand.  Continuing, use your wedging thumber or finger and supplement it with the free hand’s fingers to pull away the slit skin of the onion.

Discard the skin in the sink. You know have a fully peeled onion.

How To Peel An Onion Quickly

There are a few quicker peeling methods but they will prevent you from using the onion for regular slices, for shish kabobs, or for onion rings.  So, the peeling way we recommend keeps you 100% available for using the onions for anything after being peeled.

There are some quick methods to use that we recommend you follow to help reduce the time involved in peeling an onion, whether it’s one or several.

The best way to enhance the speed for peeling an onion quickly is to plan it with placement.  Place some paper towels and any storage bags nearby.

Also, place your cutting board near the sink.  You can cut the ends and skin and immediately scrape them into the sink out of your way.  Also, you have water handy for reducing your tears in your eyes.  Read further for this.

How To Peel An Onion Without Crying

This is how to peel an onion without crying and how to reduce the tears in your eyes.  There are several key points to follow and here they are:

• How to reduce eye tears caused by hands:  Avoid using your fingers to touch your face after handling onions.  Wash at least your fingers exceptionally well with soap & water before wiping your eyes.
• How to reduce eye tears caused by onion in the air:  You can reduce the onion’s air particles in a multitude of ways.  You can use one or more of these ways to help.
  • After cutting off the ends, you can cut to peel the bulk of the onion while holding it over running cold tap water.
  • Lay a paper towel over any onions after they are peeled, sliced, cut, or diced.
  • Briefly rinse your knife periodically.
  • If peeling several onions, briefly rinse your fingers, knife, and sometimes cutting board after cutting each onion.
  • Wear a hazmat suit (expensive and time consuming)
  • Ask someone to help and assign this task; leave the kitchen (cheaper in short run; expensive in long run – you ain’t right).

How To Store A Peeled Onion

The best way for storing a peeled onion is in plastic food storage bags.  And some onions are extra strong so I’ve found they need double bagging.  I use regular plastic sandwich bags.  If it’s a lot of onions, I’ll use those gallon sized bags.  This keeps the fridge fresh in the air when you open the doors.

And, if you don’t have any baggies, you can always use plastic wrap or a food storage container.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to cut an onion more efficiently, why not look for a recipe that uses onions? Try these recipes that have an emphasis on onions.

• Cucumber Onion Tomato Salad
• Onion Rings Homemade (and the Onion Rings Dipping Sauce)

While you’re at it, here’s some good info on the health benefits with onions from Health Line.