Handling Onions

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated April 4, 2022)

Onions, like any veggie or fruit, have their season, and you will find that they are cheaper in the stores during certain times of the year. If you buy onions in bulk, you save money—but what to do with the onions you won't use right away? Just chop and prepare them as if you were doing so for a meal, then place the pieces in a zipper bag and stick them in the freezer. There's no need to defrost them before adding them to a skillet or cooking pot. You will save not only money, but time when it comes to making the meal that needs the onions later.

No doubt you are aware that the fumes from an onion cause your eyes to water while you're chopping it into pieces. There are several ways to stop tears flowing when chopping onions, though:

  • Freeze the onions for about fifteen minutes before you slice them. The cold will keep the eye-watering fumes at a minimum.
  • Light a candle next to your work area before you begin slicing your onions. The gasses that make your eyes water will burn off before they reach you.
  • Push a small slice of bread onto the point of your knife and carefully work it down toward the handle. Now when you cut your onion, the bread will absorb the fumes that bring tears to your eyes.
  • Try slicing the onion under running water into a colander in your sink. The running water will actually absorb the odor and make for a less tearful day. (This one's a little trickier than the others—be extra careful when handling your knife under the water!)

Do you love the taste of onion in your food, but you could do without that lingering scent on your hands? Remove that onion stench by rubbing your hands with salt before you wash them. The smell should vanish into thin air!

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

MORE FROM DORIS

Organize Books and Magazines in the Bathroom

Experts say that a bathroom is one of the top 10 places to think, so why not organize yours' to help induce better ...

Discover More

Removing Bleach Stains from Stainless Steel

Everyone would like to think that having a stainless steel appliance or sink means that you will never have a stain ...

Discover More

Developing Healthy Habits

Good health doesn't come from nowhere-it's based on establishing and maintaining healthy habits. But knowing how to ...

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

Steaming Vegetables

There are so many ways to cook vegetables and steaming is only one of them. Learn how to successfully steam your ...

Discover More

Candied Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be boring. Jazz them up for the holidays or special occasions by adding bourbon and orange juice.

Discover More

How to Steam Asparagus

Asparagus can be a wonderful vegetable dish, as long as you know how to prepare it properly. After all, how many other ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is two more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)