Disclosure Statement: I received free products from Zwilling J.A. Henckels including the 8” Pro Chef’s Knife featured in these photos. My opinion is never for sale. I only work with brands I love, and I really really really love this knife. It is fast becoming my favorite go-to knife, but please don’t tell the others. They get their feelings hurt, easily. I hope you’ll love this knife just as much as I do.
Jump to step by step photos of how to chop an onion
I am always shocked to hear someone say they are afraid to use sharp kitchen knives. Did you know that you’re less likely to cut yourself with a truly sharp knife? That’s because a sharp knife glides through food easily, while a dull knife is prone to slipping off the food and slicing through things you’d rather not cut… like your finger! Even if you do cut yourself with a sharp knife, it will be less severe than with an dull one. True story.
Knife skills are so important in the kitchen. I remember when I first started cooking, I wanted to chop quickly just like the cooks in my family and the chefs on TV. Those early days were a total mess! Going quickly, without the skills to back up your speed is not a great idea.
Today, things are different. I cut much more cleanly and pretty quickly. My knives are my little soldiers. They go into the kitchen at my side and we take care of one another. I’m not exaggerating when I say, a good knife is the most important tool in your kitchen.
Of course, knives aren’t magic. You’re not going to go from a Top Ramen Chef to Top Chef just because of a knife, but I do believe you’ll find your time in the kitchen more pleasant and less frustrating with the proper tools. If you’ve ever struggled through dicing tomatoes, chopping onions, or mincing garlic with a dull knife, you know it’s no fun.
Many recipes start with onions, yet so many people are challenged by cutting them. This technique makes cutting onions simple and quick. I can break down a dozen onions in about as many minutes using this skill.
So, ready to get started? Here’s how to chop an onion in step by step photos.
First, lay a kitchen towel under your cutting board. This keeps your board from sliding and is one of the MOST important kitchen tips I can share with you and is literally life-changing.
Second, slice your onion in half, bisecting the stem and root ends. It is important that you go in this direction. Think of the stem end as a little handle. You’ll be using it later.
Peel the skin off your onion. Don’t worry about being perfect and only getting the paper off. I peel off the whole first layer of the onion and freeze it to use in stock later.
Cut one end off of your onion. I tend to leave the stem-end, but you may prefer to leave the root.
Slice into your onion with your knife angled slightly towards the center. You don’t want to go all the way through to the back of the onion. Leave about a half inch- this keeps the onion steady. The distance between these cuts will determine the size of your dice.
Turn your onion, and cut down crossways to create a perfect dice. Repeat until you reach the stem/root end of the onion!
That’s it! Now you know how to cut an onion, easily.
kimba says
A good knife is the most important tool in the kitchen!
Quietrose says
Having dull knifes. I would really like to add this beauty to my small collection.
Paul says
Great tips…good job!
tamara says
Keeping knife sharp
Callie Lawrence says
Good luck!
Lynda says
What a great give away!
Anna Fay says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen? Dishes. Finding my knives. 🙂
Cooking with Curls says
Pie is currently my biggest challenge in the kitchen!!
Andy Yeager says
I’m a terrible onion cutter- thank you so much for a how to. Last time I used one I tried to mash it in the garlic press, but that didn’t work at all- maybe a new knife will help 🙂
Shells Bells says
Henckels are the best! We got some steak knives last year and love them.
Hilary B says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is that it's not mine lol but my parents. I'm gratefully staying with them right now 😀
Jenny Hartin says
I really don't have a struggle except for lack of space.
@CeliacBeast says
I love this series! Thank you for teaching me the right way. I've been doing it all along bisecting the onion in half with a pole on each side. Now I know to turn it 180 and I'll be set!
The Tomato Tart says
Aw yay! I am working on a whole series of How Tos 🙂
LMK if you have any cooking-related questions!
Andrea says
My biggest struggle is making desserts. I can cook but baking…eh.
lindatx says
The biggest challenge I have is working in an older kitchen that is not laid out well. Awkward placement of the kitchen sink.
Wendi @ Bon Appetit Hon says
Ok, now I want to go cut up some onions because you make it look way more efficient than the way I do it.
Lana says
My biggest trouble is cleaning up! I hate it and it has to be done:(
Jane says
Love the giveaway Sabrina – and the post is great for beginners and pros alike!
Melissa says
My biggest struggle in he kitchen is continuing to be inspired when a recipe turns out bad.
Sharyl Wolter says
Keeping it clean while I cook!
Christina says
Would you believe having a good, sharp knife? 🙁 Would love this knife!
Wilma says
I love a sharp knife! Someday I will own a Henckels chef's knife.
zoe says
Space is a struggle, but a knife and a cutting board are all that really matter.
Joan says
That I don't have a great knife. Thanks for the chance.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
This looks like a wonderful knife! And your tutorial is fabulous!
Biggest struggle in the kitchen? Has to be keeping organized. And clean. Terrible at both.
Aaron Rishell says
Time management
Heather says
Keeping it clean!
MaryB says
Keeping my knives sharp is a challenge for me.
raechef1 says
Knife sharpening…I am so bad at it, I have to pay to get them sharpened.
Sofie168 says
Figuring out what to make
Sarah says
I love a nice big knife to chop onions.
Vicki says
Getting everything finished at the same time!
Johnna says
My greatest struggle in the kitchen is keeping knives sharpened. I find myself at the local cutlery shop because I don't do it well.
Julie @ WBB says
Chopping squash — the big, burley butternut or spaghetti squashes 🙂
The Tomato Tart says
Julie, I just actually shared my favorite method for breaking down squash. I also used to hate it- now I\’m all pro about it 😉 https://www.thetomatotart.com/recipe/kitchen-tips/…
Julie says
Keeping it organized and clean
Nicole says
I would have to agree, keeping the knives sharp!
Sandra Lea says
Too many people underestimate the importance of a good knife.
Alison says
My biggest struggle is baking. I am a fantastic cook, but cannot bake at all!
Alisa says
What a beautiful knife! It looks like I am doing a lot of knife maintainence wrong!!! EEEP!
My biggest struggle is variety and cooking for two people.
tina says
Love the shape of the blade. Would love to have one!
tina says
Would love to have one!
tina says
Love the blade!
Patty H says
Onions simplified! Thank you.
Denise says
KEEPING MY KNIVES SHARP…MAYBE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ONE!
Anna says
My biggest struggle is cooking for just myself. I generally make way too much food, which is a problem because I am not very fond of leftovers!
MameyDisco says
Biggest challenge in the kitchen is buying too many ingredients and fresh produce and not being able to use it all up in time. The http://www.EatYourBooks.com website is helping solve this issue. Thank you for the giveaway.
Nikki Nicole says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is that I'm still learning how to cook..Great tips..TY
Janie Prather says
I need a great cutting knife
Amanda A says
I definitely struggle with a lack of a good knife in my kitchen. I have an okay knife and I sharpen it for upkeep and to get the job done but it's not great quality to begin with :/
Bridget Hopper says
My biggest struggle is motivation to cook from scratch
Beth Mason says
Lack of counter space is my biggest struggle!!
@lkharabora says
Biggest struggle is good tools and sometimes a lack of imagination. 🙂
Kat Nett says
Mt biggest struggle is keeping up with the dishes! We love to cook & bake at our house!
Sara W says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is learning to let my kids help cook meals.
RJ says
Cutting onions without crying for an hour afterwards!
Ben Davis says
Totally agree on the sharp knife advice. I even keep a set of "duller" Victorinox blades around for the dirty work, then break out the good knives when it's time to get serious. Great advice on dicing, too! 🙂
Roz says
I would have to say cooking for one person is a struggle in my kitchen!
Elaine Powell says
thinking of new recipes to cook
Dana B says
Following the directions in a recipe. Everything would come out so much better if I actually listened to the directions. 🙂
jenniferhiles says
Trying to keep my knives sharp. It drives me nuts, every knive I have is practically useless. I need to learn how to sharpen them.
saleago says
My biggest struggle is keeping it clean and getting the dishes put away.
Whitney says
Having enough counter space to make ALL the food.
amy says
Distractions.
inmynuddypants says
My biggest struggle is trusting recipes. I always go with my instincts… and my instincts are usually wrong.
M.Clark says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is having dull knives and really old knives, we need a new set.
Brian says
Love a sharp knife, but I recently learned the hard way to slow down while cutting as I am still very new at knife skills. Cut a small piece of my finger nail off Ouch. But I am not discouraged!
kjw says
I struggle in so many ways in the kitchen. It is hard to say what is my biggest challenge.
Shelton says
Not having a cutting board.
Erin M. says
My biggest struggle is cleaning up. Haha
gooba01 says
My biggest challenge is getting me in the kitchen, my husband does all the cooking!
Kathleen Viviano says
my biggest problem is a lack of space in a kitchen that could be laid out better.
tmp95 says
My biggest struggle is working in the tiny space of my rented apt.'s kitchen. Almost no counter space!
Stacie says
The clean up! I always make such a mess
Laura Lanza says
My biggest struggle is just trying to make new things – I have only a certain amount of things I make that I really like. I need some more good go to meals.
Leslie Kiley says
Keeping my knives sharp is one of them. I also have a time of it keeping it clean as I do alot of cooking!
Adrianne B says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is improving my basic skills– and knife skills!
karen says
My biggest struggle is no counter space. I have to be very careful when I have cutting to do. I have to make sure I have enough free space to lay cutting board. I wish I was a little more proficient in cutting–I can chop and dice but slowly. A good quality knife is half the preparation.
aly3360 says
Balancing spices and flavours.
Holly E says
Finding a good knife. Mine just seem to disappear.
paydra says
Honestly? dull knives…and not enough space
Neva Hanson says
Have trouble knowing what brands to buy for a really good knife
Brenda says
I have to agree with others, keeping my knives sharp.
Tammy says
Not having a good knife. Really!!! I keep sharpening the ones I have and I think they just need a really good sharpening
Stacey B says
My biggest struggle is keeping it clean!
Thomas F says
Cleaning up the mess.
royalegacy says
My biggest struggle? Just trying to cook decently. My husband is a chef!
Randy T. says
One of my biggeststruggles in the kitchen is that I cry so much while cutting onions!!!!
Gretchen Michero Luper says
my biggest struggle is deciding what knife to use for what and then finding one shar enough to use
andie says
Probably just time – other than that – I don't mind my duties in the kitchen.
crystal gibson says
My biggest challenge in the kitchen is working with limited counter space.
Nathan Lapointe says
My biggest struggle is finding the time to make meals!
Margaret MacKenzie says
Finding a knife that will stay sharp!
crystal says
Flipping an egg.
christina mcgowan says
my biggest struggle in the kitchen is portion control. i always make wayy too much even when i try to make just what i think we need.
Lisa Williams says
Not only is keeping a knife sharp a struggle,but having to use a knife that doesn't work right and not being able to chop anything is frustrating and makes me dread doing any prep work in the kitchen.
janet aycock says
keeping things together
Ariana I says
My biggest struggle is keeping it clean!
alessandro p says
cleaning it..it ok as long as i have enough time
Amy Jarratt says
My biggest struggle is trying to cut things evenly.
Carolyn Massey says
My biggest struggle is having a good knife.. I've cut myself several times on dull knives.
@irenenew1 says
I always had problems dicing onions. Thanks for the tutorial.
gallerhea says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is NOT LIKING TO COOK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Debbie Petch says
My tools get dull too quickly.
Joni says
Keeping my knives sharp enough to chop properly!
mcushing7 says
Right now, my issue is space! Seriously, we are in a tiny apartment and the kitchen is small so it is hard after having a big sunny and roomy kitchen for years and years…. but I still rock some amazing dishes!
yummyfaerie says
Having all the right ingredients on hand when I want them.
Lana Bradstream says
My biggest struggle is keeping it clutter free
Racquelle says
My issue is having all the ingredients that I need at the same time.
Karla Sceviour says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is not knowing what to make for meals!!
Mary Fran Wiley says
Knife skills are definitely something I am lacking… I am more of a baker than a chef 🙂
Kelly says
My biggest struggle is lack of space. I love to cook and am in the kitchen quite a bit of the day. We do not eat out and therefor each day; morning, noon and night I am in the kitchen cooking for my family. I also do a lot of canning, freeing, and dehydrating. We have a large organic garden and we use our own product for most of our cooking. The only tough part is the size of my kitchen. We live in a small home, and the kitchen is quite small. Hard to do all my prep without running out of space. The upside, is that I have to clean as I go, to keep the space as non-cluttered as possible.
David Eckels says
biggest challenge is workspace.
Connie says
My biggest struggle is chopping up anything…lol
karaleigh2 says
My biggest struggle is having enough upper cabinet space and enough working counter space.
Steve Z says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is time management.
smithdw2026 says
Our biggest struggle in the kitchen is not having enough room for everything we have.
Debbie Bray says
Making sure I have all the ingredients I need for a recipe.
Shari Kalous says
Keeping a knife sharp enough to keep me happy!
Lori Bazan says
My biggest struggle is all the chopping and slicing I have to do to make the perfect meals!
Jen S. says
My biggest struggle is keeping up on the dishes. I love cooking, I hate dishes!
Petra says
My biggest struggle is keeping my knife sharp. I have so many knifes and maybe 2 works fine.
mryjhnsn says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is time – time to cook, time to clean, but never time to eat lol
The Suzzzz says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is finding the time and energy to cook…I work 3 jobs and live by myself. At the end of the day it's usually fast food or breakfast cereal, even though I love to cook.
Giselle says
My biggest struggle in the Kitchen would have to be time management. Once I get in there, I just want to get the meal completed and would start everything at once instead of staggering it so the dishes are completed at relatively the same time. I am getting better at that, but not quite there yet. 🙂
Nichole Smith says
My biggest struggle is chopping and time management. It takes me forever to dice anything and when trying to do multiple dishes at once I get completely frazzled.
Jerry Cartwright says
My biggest struggle is trying to keep a knife sharp enough to use without putting myself in danger of cutting myself.
Ally says
Storage. I definitely need more storage space for all my kitchen tools, pantry items and spices.
Piper says
keeping my knives sharp. It is almost impossible for my current knives to hold an edge.
Megan says
One of my biggest struggles is that I cook very slowly. I enjoy the process, but sometimes when I watch Chopped I'm blown away and feel like, dang wish I could whip up dishes that fast.
anitakayduvall says
I really have no struggles in the Kitchen. The only struggle I have is no sharp knives!
Denise A says
My biggest challenge? Thanksgiving dinner!
Fabiola@notjustbaked says
That’s an excellent question. I’d have to say space is my biggest issue. I don’t thinks I need a huge kitchen, just good use of space, especially the counters. Thanks for the giveaway lady!
Whitney Lindeman says
My biggest kitchen challenge currently is teaching my husband to cook & allowing him to take over occasionally. I'm a little territorial! 😉
sarah k says
I struggle in the kitchen when cutting onions, I literally start crying and I have to rinse my eyes to get the burning to go away, I haven't found any anything that works for that problem yet. Still love onions though.
The Tomato Tart says
Try putting your onions in the fridge for 24 hours before you cut them! Also, swimming goggles look silly, but totally help!
Tina F says
my biggest struggle is having enugh room…. ie counter space
couponsforme2 says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is keeping the refrigerator & pantry organized & clean!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Wendy R, says
My biggest struggle is that cooking is not my favorite thing. Unfortunately, my family thinks I cook very well so I am stuck. lol 🙂
Umm Iman Soria Salleh says
I really need a knife. the ones that i owned were almost blunt.
Tina W says
My biggest struggle is keeping motivated to cook when I'm dealing with taking care of my father. All he wants is meat and potatoes every day.
Molly says
I stress about making sure that everything is all ready at the same time -something is usually cold or burned. opps!
Rhonda W G. says
Standing too long at the counter with a bad back. This knife would make chopping quicker and get the job done faster!!!
Cassie Korando says
My biggest struggle is putting together new and innovative dishes that everyone in my family will love. I'm much better at keeping the kitchen clean!
ikkinlala says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is motivation. I’m cooking just for me, and sometimes it’s way too easy to just eat another sandwich.
ikkinlala says
My biggest struggle is motivation. I'm cooking for one, so sometimes it's way too easy to just eat another sandwich.
Chris says
Spicing and flavouring properly is a challenge for me
josh r says
baking…
Matthew C. says
Multitasking
Ben says
Keeping things clean!
Tanya says
The dishes!
@klynn6161 says
My biggest struggle is doing the dishes afterward.
Michelle Thomas says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is having time! There are so many things I wish I could do, but just don't have the time. Keeping my knives sharp is another one. My knife set is a hand-me-down and I really need new ones, but I don't have the money to invest in an entire set right now.
Adam says
My biggest struggle is with the crap knives I have now!
Christine Kangas says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is cleaning up.
Mary Smith says
With nerve damage in my fingers, chopping anything quickly these days is a struggle 😉
jared says
a dull knife!
john says
I just wish my kitchen had more room.
Norma says
A sharp knife? What a concept!
Stasha marchese says
Keeping everyone away from the bacon lol
piroska says
My biggest struggle–getting inspired to actually cook!
@AtTheMapleTable says
Keeping a sharp knife.
Angela Cash says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is cleaning up. I love to cook but I hate having to deal with the mess afterwards.
Laura P. says
I have a small kitchen so prep room is an issue.
neli howard says
My biggest struggle in the kitchen is cleaning up and washing dishes. So thankful for a loving husband who sometimes helps me.
K Davis says
Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. It never ends.
Cynthia Sizemore says
My biggest kitchen issue is the clean up after the food preparation.
Amanda S says
I would say actually cooking.
Thomas Murphy says
My biggest struggle is timing things right.
Hyunc Yo says
chopping onions is my struggle
James Robert says
My biggest challenge in the kitchen is cooking for my 5 kids, I am always in there and still working on finding new things to cook for them
Brandon says
Onions make me cry, but knives make me cry harder!