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How to Cut an Onion Into Rings

When you know how to cut an onion into rings, the WHOLE WIDE world of sandwiches, onion rings and salads is opened up to you! Try it today!

You’ll need to know how to cut an onion into rings for so many delicious recipes like these Tennessee Onions and Wilted Salad and this Adobo Chicken Salad!

 

basket of onions with a peachy glow to the skin

Hello Onion

Why This Recipe Works

  • Fast,
  • Easy
  • Cheap 
  • Gives you an open door to many recipes AND it’s a basic kitchen skill. 

Here’s How It Is Done. 

STEP 1. Remove the papery skin and the stem end of the onion.

hand holding and onion pulling the peel off

STEP 2. Hold the onion on its side (see PRO TIP). Begin cutting down through the onion. Cut the slices as evenly as you can.

hand holding onion and the other cutting it into rings

**PRO TIP** – using your knife, cut a small slice on the bottom of the onion to make a flat spot so that the onion holds still while you are cutting the rings. No worries, it won’t make a mess of your rings as long as you don’t get too crazy with it. 

STEP 3. Seperate the onion into rings.

two hands separating the onion into rings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Which Way Do You Cut an Onion for Rings? 

Cut the onion laying on it’s side and you will slice across the beltline. Start at the stem end and work towards the root end. 

How Do You Cut an Onion Evenly? 

  • For cutting into rings, you’ll just have to eyeball it. I like to think about something that’s the thickness of the ring I want.
  • For example, for onion rings I want a fat ring, so I think about the slice being about the thickness of my favorite pencil. 
  • In salads, I like a thin ring and I think about the thickness of a piece of construction paper is good.
  • It is SUPER important to have a very sharp knife for making these cuts so that you don’t end up slipping and cutting yourself. 

How Do I Cut an Onion Without Crying? 

This is what works for me…

  • I buy onions that generally don’t cause me to cry as badly. For example: Sweet onions, texas onions, vidalia onions and purple onions. 
  • If I HAVE to cute a strong onion, I have a pair of these and they work for me. I think it has to do with the shape of your face. My daughter says they don’t work for her.
  • You can click this photo to go through to Amazon and check it out. I’m an amazon affiliate and this is an amazon link. If you decide to purchase, I will receive a commission which does not affect your purchase price. 

green onion goggles

Is There a Safer Way to Cut An Onion Into Rings?

  • You can always use a mandoline slicer. If you’ve watched a cooking show, you’ve seen one probably. 
  • They can be a pain to clean and if you aren’t careful, more dangerous than a knife BUT if you have a LOT of ring slicing to do, then this is the tool. 
  • You can click this photo to go through to Amazon and check it out. I’m an amazon affiliate and this is an amazon link. If you decide to purchase, I will receive a commission which does not affect your purchase price. 

 

mandoline slicer and attachments with cucumber

How Can I Use Onion Ring Slices? 

Can I Freeze Onions? 

Sure can, I go over that in this post called “How to Freeze Onions”

Why Does the Center of My Onion Look Green? 

The inside of your onion, in the center, is where the stem sprouts from and sometimes our onions start to sprout before we are ready to eat them. No worries, just cut that part out. It won’t hurt you at all! 

Red pan filled with vidalia onion slices, kitchen towel in background

Vidalia Onion Recipe

TIPS and TRICKS for Cutting An Onion Into Rings

  • Use fresh firm onions for your recipes, they are the freshest and best for cutting into rings!
  • If your recipe calls for a certain type of onion, use that type. Onions have a variety of flavors and your recipe is looking for just that flavor. 
  • A properly cut onion ring will add a ton of flavor to your recipe. Make sure that the pieces are as evenly cut as you can make them so that all of the pieces are the same size. This will help give the right flavor your dish. 
  • To separate the rings, you’ll notice that one side of your onion is slightly larger than the other side, make sure to push the rings through the larger side. 
  • Here’s lots of information about Onions!

PRO TIP:  Cut a flat spot onto the bottom of your onion before you start to cut the slices, this will help keep your onion from rolling away while you are trying to cut it into rings. 

Ya’ll Help Me Out, OK? 

Please leave a 5 STAR COMMENT in the comment section below. It helps others find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes. 

grey plate on a cutting board with crispy onion rings

How to Cut An Onion Into Rings

When you know how to cut an onion into rings, the WHOLE WIDE world of sandwiches, onion rings and salads is opened up to you! Try it today!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to cut an onion into rings, onion ring cuts
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 4kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 onion

Instructions

  • Remove the onion peel, cut a flat spot on the side of the peeled onion so that it is easy to hold the onion and it won’t roll away.
  • Cut the stem away from the top of the onion.
  • Start cutting slices of onion through the equator of the onion, beginning at the stem end.
  • Cut slices all the way until you reach the root.
  • Separate the rings in the slices by pushing the ring through the large side
  • Repeat with another onion as needed.

Notes

  • Use fresh firm onions for your recipes, they are the freshest and best for cutting into rings!
  • If your recipe calls for a certain type of onion, use that type. Onions have a variety of flavors and your recipe is looking for just that flavor.
  • A properly cut onion ring will add a ton of flavor to your recipe. Make sure that the pieces are as evenly cut as you can make them so that all of the pieces are the same size. This will help give the right flavor your dish.
  • To separate the rings, you’ll notice that one side of your onion is slightly larger than the other side, make sure to push the rings through the larger side.
 
PRO TIP: Cut a flat spot onto the bottom of your onion before you start to cut the slices, this will help keep your onion from rolling away while you are trying to cut it into rings.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Cut An Onion Into Rings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 4 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 16mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

My car broke down last night and it is still sitting there. Today, I have no car and can’t go anywhere and have to totally depend on others to get my car fixed and to bring me things that I might need. It is requiring patience of me and gratitude.

I’m so thankful that I usually have a car to go about in. It’s days like this that I’m reminded to be thankful (and patient). God has given the opportunity to practice.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Wendi Spraker

Friday 25th of October 2019

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