How to Peel Pearl Onions

Co-authored by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: November 18, 2022 References

Pearl onions can make a delicious addition to soups, stews, or stir fry. Their small size makes them sweeter than other types of onion, and adds a depth of flavor. However, their small size can also make them difficult to peel. You can use a paring knife to peel pearl onions, or you can use a blanching method, which involves briefly cooking and then cooling the onions. Either method will leave you with pearl onions ready to cook with!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Paring Knife

1
Begin with a sharp knife and a clean, sturdy cutting board. The sharper the knife, the easier it will be to peel the onions. A heavy or secured cutting board will stay in place and prevent injuries from the knife. ^{[1]
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- If your cutting board feels like it may slip out of place, try placing a damp kitchen towel underneath it.
2
Cut the roots and the stem off of the pearl onions first. Hold the onion steady with one hand, making sure to curl your fingers away from the blade of the knife. Trim as little as possible to only remove the roots and stem.^{[2]
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- A sharper knife will make a cleaner cut. This is especially important for these small onions, as a dull knife may crush them instead of cutting them.
- Hold the knife with your dominant hand. Hold the handle of the knife with three fingers. Place your thumb on one side of the blade to hold it steady, and your index finger against the top of the blade to control the movement.^{[3]
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3
Cut into the onion and remove the top layer. Make a shallow cut, about the depth of the top layer of the onion. Hold the onion with your fingers curled away from the blade of the knife. Use the edge of the blade to peel off the top layer, or the skin, off of the onion. ^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Submerging the Onions in an Ice Bath

1
Place the whole onions in a pot of boiling water. The water should already be boiling before putting in the onions. Let them cook for 1-2 minutes. ^{[5]
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- While the water is coming to a boil, you can prepare an ice bath. Fill a medium mixing bowl with water and ice cubes.
- You can add salt to the boiling water to add flavor, but skip this if you are going to use the onions in a recipe that calls for adding salt.
2
Drain the onions in a colander. Remove the onions from the heat source so that they do not continue to cook. ^{[6]
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- Overcooking the onions at this step can complicate using them in another recipe, so move quickly.
3
Plunge the onions into an ice bath. Drop the onions from the colander directly into the ice bath. This will immediately stop the cooking process and loosen the onion skin. ^{[7]
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4
Cut the roots off of each onion and squeeze them out of their skins. Once the onions are cold enough to handle, the skin should easily slide off.^{[8]
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- Try using a pinching motion to roll the skin off of each onion.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cutting and Blanching

1
Cut the roots and the stem off of the pearl onions. While you are cutting, bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove.^{[9]
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Research source}
- Hold the onion steady with one hand, making sure to curl your fingers away from the blade of the knife. Trim as little as possible to only remove the roots and stem.
- A sharper knife will make a cleaner cut. This is especially important for these small onions, as a dull knife may crush them instead of cutting them.
- Hold the knife with your dominant hand. Hold the handle of the knife with three fingers. Place your thumb on one side of the blade to hold it steady, and your index finger against the top of the blade to control the movement.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Heart Association
  Leading nonprofit that funds medical research and public education
  Go to source}
2
Place the onions into a pot of boiling water. The water should already be boiling before putting in the onions. Let them cook for 30 seconds. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- While the onions are cooking, prepare an ice bath. Fill a medium mixing bowl with water and ice cubes.
- Overcooking the onions at this step can complicate using them in another recipe, so move quickly to the next step.
3
Transfer the onions into an ice bath. Drain the onions from the hot water first, using a colander. Then place them directly into the cold water. This will immediately stop the cooking process and loosen the onion skin.
4
Use a paring knife to peel away the top layer of skin off of each onion. The skin should easily peel away with the help of a sharp blade.^{[12]
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- Wait until the onions are cold enough to handle to avoid being burned.

Warnings

Avoid injuring yourself with a sharp knife by cutting in the direction away from your hand.

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When blanching onions, wait until they have cooled before handling to avoid burns.

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