How to prepare an onion or shallot


How to prepare an onion or shallot
Onions and shallots are widely used in the recipes on this site, generally finely chopped. Here is a method to do it quite easily with a simple knife.
196 K 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
Grade this recipe:
Keywords:
Last modified on: February 21th 2011
For this recipe: Comment Send to a friend Ask me a question Follow Printable Diaporama
For 1 piece, you will need:
  • 1 onion 1 onion
  • Total weight: 125 grams

Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 10 min.

Step by step recipe


Stage 1 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 1
Place an onion or shallot on its side.

Stage 2 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 2
Cut off the base (about ½ cm or ¼") and discard.

Stage 3 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 3
Do the same with the top.

Stage 4 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 4
Slit the whole height of the skin down the side.

Stage 5 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 5
Peel off the skin to leave just the white flesh.

Stage 6 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 6
Rinse and dry.

Stage 7
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 7
Cut in half lengthways.

Stage 8 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 8
Place flat side down, and slice horizontally, but without cutting right to the end, so that the slices are still held together.

Stage 9 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 9
Then slice vertically, again without cutting right to the end. You will then have small sticks held together by the uncut portion.

Stage 10 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 10
And finally, slice downwards, as if slicing the half shallot normally, to cut into small pieces ready to add to your recipe.

Stage 11 - 1 min.
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 11
Finish by chopping the uncut portion.

Stage 12
How to prepare an onion or shallot : Stage 12
Do the same with the other half, and your shallot is ready for use.

Stage 13
See all this steps in a small video.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
Proteins (gr)Carbohydrates (gr)Fats (gr)Energy value (in k-calories)Energy value (in k-joules)
Whole recipe1 RDI=0 %10 RDI=1 %050 RDI=2 %220 RDI: 2 %
Per 100 g1 RDI=0 %9 RDI=1 %040 RDI=2 %170 RDI: 2 %
The % figures are calculated in relation to the Recommended Dietary Intake , or RDI of 2,700 k-calories (or 11,300 k-joules) per day for a man
How much will it cost?
  • For 1 piece : 0.15 €

Change currency:

Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Other recipes you may also like
Sweetcrust pastry (pâte sablée)
Sweetcrust pastry (pâte sablée)
Sweetcrust pastry is one of the basic pastry of French patisserie, used in many tart and cakes recipes, but it can also be rolled out and cut into biscuits, delicious with tea or coffee. This recipe is given for those who have a mixer (Kenwood, KitchenAid or other), but it can also be done with your hands. Please note that it's very important to make it several hours before using it, if possible the day before, as then it's much easier to work.
July 1st 2019500 K 23.8 35 min.
French dressing (vinaigrette)
French dressing (vinaigrette)
Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad.
July 7th 20111.07 M4.5 7 min.
Choux pastry (pâte à choux)
Choux pastry (pâte à choux)
Choux pastry is used for making profiteroles, eclairs and other small pastries.
February 13th 2022553 K4.5 1 hour 4 min.
Stewed apricots
Stewed apricots
Here is how to make delicious stewed apricots, both an easy and a more sophisticated way.
July 12th 2023814 K 143.5 1 hour 20 min.
Little lime tarts
Little lime tarts
With this very quick recipe, you can make little tarts that are nothing like those you find in the shops.
October 10th 2021137 K4.3 40 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com

Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-11-02)

*Your e-mail Your first name or nickname
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Posted by:
I am not a leaving thing

Follow this recipe (as 2 people already do)
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.

Back to top of page