How to chop onions in a food processor

How to chop, slice, dice and mince onions in a food processor

Food processors are an excellent way to perfect your go-to recipes that require chopped onions. A powerful and versatile tool, they make quick work of these vegetables and allow you to focus on other aspects of your recipes.

Supplies

• Onions

• A sharp knife

• A cutting board

Tools

• KitchenAid food processor

• A slicing blade, dicing kit or multi-purpose s-blade

Time

Between peeling, slicing, configuring your food processor and running it, this process can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes.

Step 1: Set up your food processor

When it comes to chopping onions in a food processor, assembling your device is the first step. Begin by placing the work bowl on your processor’s base. Some models require you to line up the bowl to the base and twist it on. Select KitchenAid food processors feature a simple no-twist design for easy assembly. Finish by lowering the drive adapter onto the drive pin located inside the work bowl.

Step 2: Attach the blade

When chopping: place the multi-purpose s-blade over the adaptor, rotating until it falls or clicks into place, depending on your model. Secure the lid.

When slicing: replace the multi-purpose s-blade with the slicing blade and repeat this process.

When dicing: Use the dicing kit available with select food processors. Check your owner’s manual for proper assembly.

Step 3: Prep onions for chopping, slicing or dicing

Place your onions on a cutting board and begin to carefully peel them by hand, discarding the resulting skin in your wastebasket. Slice off each end of the onion to remove the roots and stem. Next, run each onion under lukewarm water and place them on your clean cutting board. With a sharp knife, slice your onion into quarters.

Step 4: Chop or slice onions

If chopping: Once your onions have been peeled and prepped, place them into the food processor work bowl. Press your pulse setting to chop your onions in a short burst. Hold the pulse button longer to mince your onions. Conversely, you can run your food processor on low to similarly chop your onions and on high to mince them.

If slicing: Set your food processor on high and insert your quartered onions one by one into the feed tube. Adjust the slicing thickness of your onions from thinner to thicker by moving the adjustment knob from left to right, if available on your model.

If dicing: Repeat the process above using the dicing kit. If using the KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor with Dicing Kit, you can simply cut your onions in half thanks to a large feed tube.

Step 5: Drain onions

Onions contain a good deal of water, so there might still be some liquid left over once you finish chopping or slicing them in your food processor. If this is the case, simply drain the resulting mixture in the sink and continue with the next step in your recipe.

Which food processor blades should I use for chopping onions?

When chopping onions in a food processor, the correct blade to use is the multi-purpose s-blade. The s-blade will allow you to chop or mince your onions by pulsing your onions (short bursts for chopped onions, longer bursts for minced) or running your food processor continually (low for chopped onions, high for minced).

Which food processor blades are best for slicing?

When slicing onions in a food processor, use the slicing blade. Some food processors come with thick and thin blades, or feature an adjustable setting to allow for more precision in your slicing.

What are other ways to slice, dice, chop or mince onions?

There are other methods for chopping onions, including mandoline slicers, specialized onion chopping devices and, of course, chopping or slicing them by hand. You can also use the Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder attachment for your KitchenAid stand mixer. One device to avoid is a blender as it will not produce chopped onions, instead pureed ones. This is because blenders don’t generally operate at a speed low enough to achieve the precision necessary for finely chopped onions.

Can I store chopped onions for later use?

Chopping onions in a food processor is such a quick task, it’s best to always work with the freshest ingredients. However, once chopped, onions will last about four days in the fridge. This makes them a delicious addition to your weekly meal prepping. Additionally, if you are looking for a long-term option, raw chopped onions will last up to 8 months in the freezer if stored correctly, whereas cooked onions can last up to 12.

How can I use chopped onions in recipes?

Chopped onions can be included as either an important ingredient or flavorful additive to top off your meals. One delicious use of chopped onions is for making a fresh homemade salsa bursting with flavor. Another recipe you could make is a rustic spring onion strudel or even a hearty BBQ brisket po boy.

Chopping onions with a food processor: additional tips

Although achieving finely chopped onions with a food processor is a simple process, there are a few extra tips that can enhance your creative process:

• Use a sharp knife to reduce tears when prepping your onions for the food processor.

• This can also be helped by first running your onions under cold water.

• When slicing onions, make sure to cut them small enough to fit the size of your food processor’s feed tube.