Kitchen Tips & Tools
Professional chef demonstrates how to chop an onion the correct way and avoid crying for good
Stop making this rookie mistake.
Ma Fatima Garcia
01.25.23

You probably know Gordon Ramsay for his short temper and words, but we must admit he’s one of the best chefs today.

This famous Scottish chef has restaurants, best-selling cookbooks, and TV shows.

They shared one clip from the US version of MasterChef Episode 3 of Season 1 in TikTok.

YouTube Screenshot / ftv
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / ftv

There, along with the other mentors, Ramsay discusses with the contestants how he got so good at cutting onions.

“In my first month in Paris, at the age of 22, I got my **** kicked for 15 hours a day, six days a week, chopping onions. Why? Because I needed to understand how to really, seriously master it. A humble onion,” said Ramsay.

“If you can’t cut an onion, you have no place being in the kitchen,” said Joe Bastianich, a fellow show judge.

YouTube Screenshot / ftv
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / ftv

Then Ramsay showed how to cut the onion like a pro.

“The root clearly holds the onion together. Take that off. Let the knife do the work,” Ramsay said.

While looking at the contestants, he was slicing the onions thinly. If you see the video, you will see how fast he was doing it too.

YouTube Screenshot / ftv
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / ftv

Clearly, the training he got paid off.

Everyone was in awe as he chopped half an onion in a few seconds only.

The knife seemed weightless, and his precision was on point.

It was like a machine sliced the onion.

The clip went viral, and because of this, another video from Ramsay resurfaced.

YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay

In the said YouTube video that he posted last 2013, he shares how he dices an onion in a few simple steps that anyone could master.

You only need an onion and a sharp knife.

First, remove the onion skin, and don’t chop the roots off.

According to Ramsay, the roots hold the onion together and if you remove it, the juice will flow and your eyes might get irritated, thus causing tears.

YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay

Unlike in the Masterchef video, this process is how you can dice the onion. That is why we’re leaving the roots.

Cut the onion in half, and then, using three fingers, place one in front and two behind.

The middle finger, the one in front, will serve as a guide as you cut, preventing any injuries.

From the top of the onion, point the knife toward the roots and cut.

YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay

Try your best to get as close to the roots as possible.

Once done, push the onions back together and then, while gripping it, tilt the knife and push your knife halfway through the onion, one in the middle and one at the top.

Now, start cutting while gripping it until you reach the base.

YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay

You’re now dicing beautifully, and when you get to the roots, chop the remaining onions.

That’s it!

Don’t worry if you don’t get it perfectly.

Remember how Ramsay trained for this?

Just do the same and it will all pay off too.

YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay
Source:
YouTube Screenshot / Gordon Ramsay

A few tips to remember:

  • Always use a sharp knife. A dull knife will be harder to control, and might also slip, causing you to cut yourself.
  • Don’t cut it too fast. Practice and learn. Even cutting onions requires time and patience.

If you want to check out the Master Chef clip, click here. Watch Gordon Ramsay’s dicing onion tutorial below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Article Sources:
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.
Advertisement