How to Make a Blooming Onion

A sharp knife and a few well-placed cuts are all you need to make an impressive blooming onion. Not only is it eye-catching, but this pull-apart savory appetizer is perfect for sharing. Once you learn how to make a blooming onion, you’ll be asked to make it again and again.

To easily cut the onion, use a sharp knife with a blade long enough to cut through the width of it. We recommend the Cutco Trimmer with its Double-D®-edge blade. It’s designed to slice smoothly whether moving the knife forward, backward or straight down, and its sharp point can quickly pierce the onion. Its comfortable handle also allows you to easily maneuver the knife when cutting. So you’re cutting with more precision.

Use a Sharp Knife to Cut Onions

When cutting onions a sharp knife can help prevent your eyes from tearing up. A sharp blade slices into the onion without crushing its cell walls, so that fewer irritants are released. For this reason, whether you’re cutting a blooming onion or dicing an onion for a recipe, take note of how sharp your knife is.

How to Cut a Blooming Onion

Anyone can make a blooming onion with this five-step technique. Along with using a sharp knife, there are some other keys to success.

Use a large, white, sweet onion, like a Vidalia, and before cutting, make sure your cutting board is on a flat surface and dry. Also, make sure to slice the vertical cuts with the onion lying flat on the stem side for safety, and to ensure even cuts.

How to Cut a Blooming Onion

1. Cut off approximately 1/2 inch at the pointy stem of the onion, then peel the outer skin.
2. Place the onion cut-side down on a cutting board. Starting ½ inch from the root, make a downward cut all the way through to the cutting board.
3. Make the same cut a total of four times, evenly spaced around the onion.
4. Make three evenly spaced cuts between each section until you have 16 total cuts.
5. Turn the onion over and use your fingers to gently separate the outer pieces.

Now, try your new skill with our Baked Blooming Onion recipe, or use your own favorite recipe and enjoy.

If you like this fun technique, check out our post on how to make a blooming apple!