Tired of Crying While Cutting Onions? These Kitchen Tricks Actually Work

Almost everyone who has cooked knows the struggle: you start chopping an onion, and within seconds, your eyes start burning and tears roll down your cheeks. Many of us have tried strange hacks to avoid it, chewing gum, lighting a candle, or even holding our tongue against the roof of our mouth. Some work a little, but none seem to completely solve the problem.

The reason onions make us cry is actually science. Inside an onion, there is a natural chemical called suberin, which plants use for protection. When you slice an onion, you break its cells and release suberin and other enzymes. These mix together and create a type of sulphuric acid. When the fumes rise and touch the moisture in your eyes, it causes that burning and tearing.

But the good news is, there are a few tricks that can reduce the sting. And the best part? Most of them are easy to try in your own kitchen.

Trick 1: Freeze the Onion

One of the oldest kitchen hacks is to place the onion in the freezer before cutting. Cooling it slows down the chemical reaction and reduces the fumes that reach your eyes. Just don’t leave the onion in the freezer for too long, or it will be too hard to cut. This trick is quick and effective, making it a favourite for many home cooks who don’t want tears running down their face mid-dinner prep.

Trick 2: Soak It in Water

If you have a little more time, peeling the onion and soaking it in water for 10–15 minutes can help. The idea is that the harsh chemicals are drawn into the water, so fewer reach your eyes. The downside? The onion becomes milder in taste, which may not work well if you want that strong onion flavour in your recipe. Still, for people who value comfort over spice, this method is worth trying.

Trick 3: Cut Under Running Water

For those who don’t want to wait, another option is to chop the onion under running water. The water helps wash away the fumes before they reach your eyes. But this method is messy and can be dangerous because it’s harder to handle a knife safely with water splashing. Even so, some cooks swear by it, especially if they need quick relief from stinging eyes.

Trick 4: Wear Goggles

It might look a little silly, but goggles are one of the most effective solutions. By blocking the fumes from reaching your eyes altogether, they stop the tears completely. While not everyone wants to wear goggles in the kitchen, those who do often find it’s the only method that truly works 100%. And if you don’t mind the look, it can save you from the burning discomfort.

Trick 5: Try a Piece of Bread

One of the strangest tricks is holding a piece of bread in your mouth while cutting onions. It sounds funny, but it works for some people. The bread soaks up the onion fumes before they travel up to your eyes. This hack may not be perfect, but it’s surprisingly simple, and worth testing if you don’t mind looking like a duck while holding bread between your teeth.

The Sharp Knife Rule

No matter which method you choose, always use a sharp knife. A sharp blade cuts cleanly, releasing fewer fumes compared to a dull one that crushes the onion cells. Cutting from the top of the onion rather than the root also helps, since the root has the highest concentration of chemicals.

So the next time onions make you tear up, you’ll know what to try,  from freezing and soaking to goggles and even bread. Some methods may work better than others depending on your kitchen style, but each has its own way of keeping tears at bay.

Disclaimer: These tricks are based on general kitchen tips and personal experiences. Results may vary, and safety should always come first when handling knives and food.