Written by Andrea Reviewed by Daniel

The Real Reason Onions Make You Cry And How to Finally Stop It

If you’ve ever found yourself weeping over the cutting board, you’re not alone. That familiar sting in your eyes followed by streaming tears isn’t because you’re emotionally attached to your onions: it’s chemistry!

For those who prep onions regularly and are simply fed up with the waterworks, we’ve got some brilliant solutions that actually work.

Table of Contents

Why Do Onions Actually Make You Cry: The Science Explained

First, let’s understand why these kitchen staples turn us into blubbering messes.

When you slice into an onion, you’re actually breaking open thousands of tiny cells within it. This triggers a chemical reaction that releases a rather unfriendly gas compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This irritating gas wafts upward from your cutting board and makes a beeline straight for your eyes.

When this gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with the water in your tears to form a mild sulphuric acid. Your eyes, being the sensitive organs they are, immediately detect this irritation and try to flush it away by producing more tears.

So while it might feel like torture, your tears are actually trying to protect you!

Which Onions Make You Cry The Most And Which Cause Fewer Tears

Not all onions are created equal when it comes to tear production.

Generally speaking:

White and yellow onions tend to be the most potent tear jerkers
Red onions fall somewhere in the middle
Sweet onions like Vidalias typically cause fewer tears

The difference comes down to the sulphur content: the more sulphur, the more crying. If you’re particularly sensitive, switching to sweeter varieties might help reduce your kitchen sobbing sessions.

How To Cut Onions Without Crying: 8 Foolproof Methods That Actually Work

#1: Chill Your Onions First

Pop your onions in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before chopping, or in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions that release the tear inducing compounds, meaning less crying for you! The chilled onion will be slightly firmer too, making it easier to achieve those perfect, precise cuts.

#2: Use A Sharp Knife

This might seem counterintuitive, but using a properly sharpened knife actually reduces tears.

A sharp blade creates cleaner cuts that damage fewer cells, releasing less of the irritating gas. Dull knives crush and smash more cells, creating a tear gas factory right on your cutting board!

If you can’t remember the last time you sharpened your kitchen knives, it’s probably time.

#3: Work Under Your Cooker Hood

Turn your extraction fan on full blast and position your cutting board directly underneath it. The fan will help suck away those tear inducing gases before they can reach your eyes.

This method is brilliant for those who cook often and don’t want to faff about with special equipment or techniques every time they need an onion.

#4: The Water Method

Try chopping your onions in a shallow bowl of water or under a running tap. The theory here is that the water attracts the gas compounds before they can reach your eyes.

While this can be a bit messier and trickier for precise cutting, many home cooks swear by this technique when dealing with particularly potent onions.

#5: Wear Goggles

Yes, you might look a bit daft, but kitchen goggles are a game changer for onion choppers! They create a physical barrier that prevents those irritating gases from reaching your eyes in the first place.

Swimming goggles work brilliantly, but if you’re serious about your onion prep, you can actually buy special onion goggles designed specifically for kitchen use.

#6: Light A Candle

Place a lit candle near your cutting board (at a safe distance, of course).

The flame actually helps draw in and burn off some of the tear inducing gas before it can reach your sensitive eyes. This old school method has been used by grandmothers for generations, and for good reason: it works!

#7: Master The Proper Cutting Technique

How you cut an onion can significantly impact how many tears you shed:

Cut the onion in half from root to tip
Don’t remove the root end (this contains the highest concentration of irritants)
Peel the halves, keeping the root intact
Make your cuts with the root end facing away from you

This technique keeps the tear inducing chemicals contained in the root end pointing away from your face, significantly reducing the waterworks.

#8: Try The Bread Method

This quirky trick involves putting a piece of bread in your mouth while chopping, leaving just a bit sticking out.

The theory is that the bread absorbs the gas before it reaches your eyes. While there’s limited scientific evidence for this one, plenty of home cooks claim it’s their go to solution.

Best Kitchen Gadgets To Chop Onions Without Crying

If you’re truly desperate to end the onion tears once and for all, these gadgets might be worth the investment:

Onion choppers and dicers
These sealed containers let you chop onions with minimal exposure to the gases
Food processors
Quick and effective for rough chopping with zero tears
Vegetable choppers
Manual devices that chop onions in sealed compartments

No More Tears!

Onions might make us cry, but their flavour makes them worth the trouble. Whether you opt for chilling your onions, donning goggles, or investing in a dedicated chopper, these techniques can help you prep onions without the waterworks.

Next time you find yourself reaching for tissues mid recipe, remember that a few simple changes to your approach can make onion chopping a tear free experience. Your eyes (and your makeup, if you wear it) will thank you!

Want to help a fellow onion chopper in distress? Share this article with friends and family who could use these tips!

Also, follow us on Pinterest ...