RAWPIXEL/GETTY IMAGES
RAWPIXEL/GETTY IMAGES
Published on Jan. 22, 2025
Here’s the science behind the waterworks—and some easy ways to reduce tears.
Now Trending
First, my eyes sting, then they flood. Soon, I’m sniffing. I’m not watching a tearjerker or listening to Celine Dion, I’m slicing onions. No matter what kind of onion it is, tears invariably roll down my cheeks. That’s a shame because I can’t think of a savory recipe that doesn’t taste better with onions.
Why do onions make you cry? A little research turned up the simple reason, plus some simple tricks to reduce the sting.
Why do onions make you cry?
As you slice into an onion, it releases a stinky, stinging chemical compound. Your knife blade breaks open all the tiny cells in the onion, causing enzymes to combine with sulfur-containing amino acids, creating a potent gas that rises up from the onion and straight into your face. When it hits your eyes, it instantly irritates them, and they tear up.
Technically, the tears are a good thing. They’re designed to flush away the irritant, protecting your precious peepers. To avoid crying when chopping onions, don’t try not to cry. Instead, try to reduce that nasty chemical release.
How do you chop an onion without crying?
Cooks swear by many tricks to prevent tears when chopping onions, including things like chewing gum or biting a spoon while slicing. In general, the simpler the trick, the more likely it is to work.
Start cold
For a simple fix, keep your onions in the refrigerator. The cold slows down the chemical reaction from slicing, reducing the release of the stinging gas.
Vent it out
Work under an exhaust fan. Set your cutting board directly on a cool stovetop. Turn on the fan and start chopping. The fan will draw chemical compounds up and away, vastly reducing tears and sting.
Wear goggles
Battling a serious aversion to chopping onions? Wear goggles. A simple pair of goggles will literally shield your eyes from the sting. While swimming goggles work, you can also pick up a pair of sporty kitchen goggles. If you wear glasses while chopping, as our favorite cook, Stanley Tucci, does, that can reduce the sting, too.
Use proper knife skills
Last but not least, following the proper method to cut onions will ensure that you’re making the fewest cuts, resulting in fewer tears. Always work with a sharp knife, which makes for cleaner cuts.