How big is an onion?
The first issue we need to address is the size of an onion. When recipes refer to small, medium, and large onions, what do those terms actually mean? Often, this is based on personal judgment, leading to a fair amount of estimation. However, if you want to be more precise, there are some general measurements you can rely on.
The most accurate way to gauge an onion is by its weight, although the United States Department of Agriculture offers federal guidelines for onion sizes based on their diameter in inches. Generally speaking, a small onion weighs about 4 ounces and has a diameter of 1 to 2¼ inches. A medium onion typically weighs between 5 to 8 ounces and measures 2 to 3¼ inches across. A large onion is classified as weighing 9 ounces or more, with a diameter exceeding 3 inches. Some may also refer to an onion weighing 16 ounces or more as extra-large. While this isn't an exact science, it does help you get a better idea of what you're working with.
How many sliced onions you need for one cup
You can obtain perfectly sliced onions, often referred to as julienned onions when cut thin, using one of two methods. You can either halve the rings or slice lengthwise through an onion that has been trimmed (with the root and tip removed), peeled, and cut in half lengthwise (through the root end).
To yield 1 cup of sliced onion, you'll need 4 to 5 ounces, which is approximately one small to medium onion or half of a large onion.
How many onions you need for one cup roughly chopped
A rough chop or large dice is often the preferred cutting technique for many recipes. The main distinction lies in precision: when you large dice, you aim for roughly uniform cubes of onion, while a rough chop is simply a quick method to transition from a whole onion to chopped pieces. Ideally, you should aim for pieces that are about half an inch in size.
For reference, 1 cup of chopped onion weighs approximately 5 ounces, which is equivalent to one medium onion, ideally on the smaller side to minimize leftovers. The onion should be similar in size to a billiard ball or a large lemon, and the measuring cup should be filled to the brim without needing to compress the onion too much.
How many onions you need for one cup finely diced
When a recipe specifies a fine dice, it's beneficial to master the art of dicing onions like an expert. Finely diced onions, measuring approximately an eighth of an inch square, create an efficient cut. If the onions are truly finely diced, they will have minimal air pockets when measured by volume.
For a fine dice, 1 cup typically weighs between 6½ to 7 ounces, which corresponds to one medium onion or three-quarters of a large onion. If you opt for a medium dice, around a quarter of an inch, you can likely achieve this with just 5 ounces of onion, which is also considered medium.
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