How to dice an onion

Learning how to dice an onion is a must-have kitchen skill. The right technique makes prep faster, safer and helps reduce tears. This guide will show you how to cut an onion with confidence, whether you’re slicing for a salad or dicing for a stir-fry.

Use a sharp knife, keep your board stable and leave the root end intact to hold the layers together.

Mastering how to cut an onion makes everyday cooking easier and more enjoyable.

Method

Step 1

Cut the top off the onion.

A person cutting the top off a brown onion

Step 2

Slice the onion in half lengthwise.

A person cutting an onion in half

Step 3

Peel the outer skin.

A person peeling the outer skin of an onion on a chopping board

Step 4

Cut onion 2-3 times horizontally, towards the root of the onion.

A person learning how to dice an onion on a chopping board.

Step 5

Make a series of vertical cuts, with your knife pointing towards the root, keeping the root in tact.

Dicing an onion

Step 6

Finally, dice the onion by making cuts perpendicular to the ones you just made. Cut off and discard the root.

Diced onion on a chopping board