Chopping ingredients is one of the most time-consuming parts of cooking. Pre-chopped ingredients are also far more expensive than whole ingredients, so knowing how to properly use your knife can help save time and money.
You don’t have to be perfect with a knife to be a great home cook. While even-sized cuts will help your food cook more evenly, simply knowing how to use a knife properly will keep you safe and increase your confidence in the kitchen.
Important!:
Having a sharp knife is far safer than a dull one. Dull blades require more pressure to cut and are more likely to slip off the food when cutting. This increases the risk of hurting yourself. If your knife is dull, it may be time to replace it or sharpen it.
To keep your knife sharper for longer, avoid glass or stone cutting boards.
If your cutting board slides around while cutting, you need to secure it to avoid your knife slipping. One way to do this is to put a damp kitchen towel under the cutting board.
Knives needed:
The knives you need may depend on the food you cook. For most people, however, all you need is a sharp chef’s knife, a serrated knife, and a pairing knife.
Gripping the knife:
Using your dominant hand, grip the top part of the handle of the knife, but have your thumb and index finger grip the top of the blade (not the sharp part). Grip the knife so it won’t fall out of your hand, but do not hold it so tense. You want to be able to relax while using the knife.
Your non-dominant hand will be used as a guide for the knife. Slightly curl your fingers towards your palm, so that your knuckles will tough the side of the knife, rather than your fingertips. Your knuckles will be what guides the blade. You want to position your fingers so it is not easy to cut them.
Chopping:
To chop something is to cut it into even-sized cubes.
How to chop a bell pepper:
Dicing:
Dicing is just chopping but into smaller pieces.
How to dice an onion:
Slicing:
To slice something is to cut a thin piece from the food. It is often used for bread and produce.
Tip: if slicing tomatoes or bread, a serrated knife may be easier to use than a chef’s knife.
How to slice an onion:
Julienne:
To julienne something is to cut it into long, thin pieces. This technique is often used for pizzas, stir-fries, and vegetable platters.
How to julienne a carrot:
