In the Kitchen: How to Dice an Onion

by Ethan Johnson
March 25, 2006

The goal

Update September 28, 2006: Apologies, but I dropped a crucial step in the original instructions. The following instructions are accurate from this day forward. Oops!

This is another one of those articles that may seem condescending and insulting to one's intelligence on the surface, but there are a fair number of people who are hugging their monitors right now because they get to learn this essential kitchen skill privately and without embarrassment.

I learned this from a cookbook that takes a similar approach to recipes as I do: Show, and tell. I used to use gadgets like a mandoline to dice onions prior to learning it the "correct" way. It's cheaper too, as you can do it with any sharp knife.

You will need:

  • Sharp knife
  • Onion (White, yellow, or red)
  • Cutting board

Ready? Here we go!

  1. Cut the bottom of the onion off (opposite end of the root) so it stands flat on the cutting board like so:

    Step 1

  2. Cut through the center of the onion, straight through the root.

    Step 2

  3. Peel off the first layer of the onion, to discard the skin. Lay the skinned onion half flat on the cutting board (closest to the knife blade in the following photo).

    Step 3

  4. Cut vertically through the onion from the flat base to near the root end. Do not cut all the way through the root end. Think of this like a comb: The root end is the handle and you are cutting the "teeth".

    Note: Be mindful of how close together you cut each line. If you want big dice, go wider. For fine dice, go narrower.

    Step 4

  5. Cut laterally through the onion, stopping short of the root end.

    Note: Be mindful of how close together you cut each line. If you want big dice, go wider. For fine dice, go narrower.

    Step 4.5

  6. Now cut horizontally across the vertical "teeth". Again, stop short of the root end.

    Note: Be mindful of how close together you cut each line. If you want big dice, go wider. For fine dice, go narrower.

    Step 5

  7. Ta da! You have now diced an onion.

    (The pieces will break apart when you either cook them or stir them in a bowl, etc.)

    Step 6

    8. Enjoy! What are you going to make? <EM>

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