Techniques
Knife Skills
Tip
Beginner
1 min

How to stabilize round produce by cutting it in half to create a flat base

Cut round items (like onions) in half so they sit flat on the board for better balance and safer cutting.

After trimming as needed, split the onion in half so it’s no longer rolling. Place the flat side down on the cutting board to create a stable base before slicing or dicing.

The short version

  • Flat side down = most balance on the cutting board

What goes wrong

Trying to cut a round onion half while it rocks/rolls

Create a flat side first and set it down on the board

Why it works

A flat base prevents rolling, which reduces the chance of the knife slipping and improves accuracy.

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