An onion question

United States
January 18, 2007 6:03pm CST
Does anyone know an easy way to remove the skin from the onion?
5 people like this
15 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
19 Jan 07
I have heard that if the onion is dry and particularly hard to peel you can let it sit in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. The peels plump with water and are easier to peel. To keep from having teary eyes when you cut an onion, there are many things one can do: (a) First, store the onion in the freezer for 30 minutes prior to cutting, (b) hold a piece of bread in your mouth while you cut the onion, (c) cut the onion under running water and (d) hold a matchstick in your mouth (bite on the non-burning end) To remove the onion smell from your hands: (a) run your hands over the chrome faucet, or (b)put a teaspoon of salt in your hands and dampen it...rub together and rinse, or (c) rub hands with lemon juice!
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Thanks do much for the help, I appreciate it.
1 person likes this
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Thank you I just learned something from you, store in the frezzer for 1/2 hour. I did know that you could run some cold water while cutting it, so your eyes don't water.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Your most welcome, and thank YOU for the best response! I enjoy chatting with you!
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
19 Jan 07
First of all do not cut off the root end. That will prevent alot of tears. Also putting the onion in the refrigerator to chill will reduce that too. Cut the top off and the skin should come right off with a bit of practive with a sharp knife to peel the skin off. Practice and your favorite knife should take good care of that onion for you. Remove the root end at the final moment!!
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Thanks so much for the tip. Appreciate it.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jan 07
Yeh, you would have gotten it, sorry dear. Thanks though.
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
20 Jan 07
Sure thing, Just wished to have been part of the discussion before best response. Just my thing! Glad I could give you something that you can use.
1 person likes this
@clownfish (3272)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Hi! This method will still take a little bit of work, but here is the easiest way I can think of to peel an onion - buy frozen chopped onions from the freezer case at your grocery store! LOL I was watching Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Cooking on the Food Network just now and I saw her use frozen onions. I couldn't resist posting it here! LOL
@clownfish (3272)
• United States
21 Jan 07
I'm sorry, my answer was kind of supposed to be a joke! LOL But since you mention onion rings, have you tried using a mandolin? They are pretty cheap (like $5.00 at Walmart) and make quick work of slicing onions. The last time I made onion soup it took me no time to slice the onions! That might work well to make onion rings. :-)
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Thank you dear. But I wanted to make onion rings. Do they sell them like that? And, don't they taste weird when frozen?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Jan 07
I just cut the ends off the onion and then cut it in half. The skin comes right off then.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Really, just by cutting the ends off? I struggle so with it all the time.
1 person likes this
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
19 Jan 07
I do what some of the other people said just cut the ends off and the peel comes off real easy. But my son who has worked as a line cook gave me this hint to keep the tears away. Pour some lemon juice over the onion and no more tears.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jan 07
Never heard of that one. Thanks for the tip.
1 person likes this
@yogiraut (230)
• India
20 Jan 07
cut both ends and u can do it
2 people like this
@Brandi06 (2227)
• United States
19 Jan 07
no i don't sorry
1 person likes this
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
19 Jan 07
Read # 2 and you will find out. I just learned a thing or two. LOL.
1 person likes this
@lsen06 (4998)
• India
9 Feb 07
cut the two ends of the onion. then cut it halves . then remove the skin.
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
9 Feb 07
The suggestions by crazynurse (#2) are excellent. I will be sure to follow these. The idea of letting the skins plump up in water is awesome, and it totally makes sense. I can't wait to try these!
• India
21 Jan 07
put it in water after sometime try to bring out the skin ..it will come out easily...
1 person likes this
@Bee1955 (3882)
• United States
8 Feb 07
If I hear that one about putting an slice of onion on your head so you wont cry while cutting an onion .... grrrr Get a sharp knife, cut a slit downward on one side, turn on your water tap in the sink to tepid and peel off skin under it. If you get onion smell on your fingers and have a stainless steel sink, rub the fingers against a clean side of the sink. The smell will disappear.
@stonehr (818)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
20 Jan 07
Easier and faster way what I always use it's to cut ends of onion then cut it at half and peel skin with fingers. So I might say this is done for 10 seconds and I don't want to struggle with onion so much time. If You want to make a rings of onion then just cut ends and peel skin with knife. I don't care about tear drops especially if I've not cry long time ago. So that way I have chance to bring me memories and to cry for someone.
• Philippines
8 Feb 07
For my own opinion, in order for you to remove the skin from the onion that your tears will not go out...You should wear goggles to protect your eye from the iritation.
• United States
8 Feb 07
cut the onion in half and you remove the first layer/skin with your fingers. it comes right off. i remove the first onion layer cuz often times things burrow just under the skin of the onion and i don't want any grossness in my crockpot!
@carmat (2849)
• Canada
7 Feb 07
I usually cut the ends off and just peel off the top couple of layers, good to go. Chop it up, dice it up do whatever you want with it.