A Tear-Free Onion Exists, and It’s at Your Grocery Store

What if we told you an onion exists that doesn’t make you cry while cutting it? This isn’t science fiction—it’s a Sunion, and even though it might sound too good to be true, it’s very real.

No more fruitless kitchen hacks. You can stop freezing onions, chewing gum and burning candles while slicing and dicing onions. (FYI, the goggle tip really does work!)

Sunions Can Be Substituted Anywhere

You can use Sunions in any dish you would typically use ordinary onions. Bonus: their mild flavor allows them to take a lead role in recipes like Onion Pie, Baked Onion Dip and Blooming Onions. Even say bonjour to a wintry cheese-topped classic, French Onion Soup!

What Is This Magic?

Since they’re a cross-breed of two other onions, Sunions look just like ordinary yellow ones. If you were to slice into one straight out of the ground, it would cause crying just like any other onion. The secret is in the storage. Where other onions get stronger as they await shipment, Sunions become milder and sweeter. Why? They lack lachrymatory-factor synthase, the pesky compound that makes your eyes tear up.

We Tried Them, Just to Be Sure

One of our editors, Ellie, picked up a few Sunions on a recent shopping trip. While prepping dinner that evening, she and her husband (a notorious onion-chopping crier) were both amazed by how tear-free they really are.

“I held the chopped onion up to my eye to see if I’d tear up, and nothing,” Ellie says. “They don’t even really have much of a smell. We could definitely taste the onion on our tacos, though, which is what we were hoping for.”

Where Do I Get Them?

Most major retailers—like Kroger, Costco and Walmart—should carry Sunions. Check out the retail locator to see if your local supermarket is selling them. If you come up short, look out for other sweet onion varieties like Vidalia, Walla Walla or Maui. They’re not tear-free like Sunions, but closer.

Soon you’ll be chopping onions and caramelizing them with no tears shed!

More Ways to Use Those Sunions

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Teriyaki Glazed Chicken

I love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California

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Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats

Sauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Baked Onion Dip

Some people like this cheesy dip so much that they can't tear themselves away from the appetizer table to eat their dinner. But can you blame them? With two kinds of cheese and sweet onions in the mix, this ultra creamy dip is unforgettable. —Mona Zignego, Hartford, Wisconsin

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Sweet Onion Bread Skillet

Because there are only a few ingredients in this recipe, you’ll get the best results if you use the finest-quality foods, like a fresh Vidalia onion and aged Parmesan cheese. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

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Sweet Onion Creamed Corn

A friend from church gave me this easy and delicious recipe over 40 years ago, and I still make it regularly. She was from the South, and whenever I cook it, I think about her fondly. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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Garden Tomato Salad

For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio

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Sweet Onion & Sausage Spaghetti

Sweet onion seasons turkey, adding rich flavor to Mary Relyea’s wholesome pasta dish. At home in Canastota, New York, she tosses it together with light cream, basil and tomatoes for a quick, springy meal in minutes.

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Beef & Onion Piroshki

When I lived in Seattle, one of my favorite places was a small stand that sold piroshki—Russian stuffed pocket sandwiches. Whenever I’m missing my former town, I make my own batch. —julie merriman, Seattle, Washington

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Apples 'n' Onion Topped Chops

Now that my husband and I are trying to lose weight, I find it a challenge to come up with healthy dishes that are flavorful, quick and appealing to us and our young daughter. This one fits the bill on all counts. —Beverly McLain, Endicott, New York

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Onion & Cheddar Biscuits

These cheddar biscuits are seriously addictive! I make a batch and freeze them, and my husband microwaves one for breakfast every morning. —Elaine Sweet, Dallas, Texas

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Pickled Sweet Onions

These slightly crunchy pickled onions are not only a great gift for Christmas, but also a terrific contribution to a backyard barbecue as a relish for burgers and hot dogs. —Laura Winemiller, Delta, Pennsylvania

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Fennel Salad with Citrus Dressing

My family really enjoys crunchy fennel, which pairs well with citrus vinaigrette. The salad makes a nice addition to any meal.—Denise Elder, Hanover, Ontario

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Pan-Seared Cod

Cod has a soft, buttery appeal that goes with cilantro, onions and crunchy pine nuts. This is the easiest cod preparation I’ve found. —Lucy Lu Wang, Seattle, Washington

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Golden Sweet Onion Cornbread

Bake up this hearty, savory cornbread, slather on delicious homemade cranberry butter and enjoy! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Sour Cream Cucumbers

It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this cucumber onion salad with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. Cucumber salad with sour cream is the perfect summer dish. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

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Onion Beef au Jus

Garlic, onions, soy sauce and onion soup mix flavor the tender beef in these savory hot sandwiches served with a tasty, rich broth for dipping. The seasoned beef makes delicious cold sandwiches, too. —Marilyn Brown, West Union, Iowa

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Steak & Blue Cheese Bruschetta with Onion & Roasted Tomato Jam

An appetizer bursting with flavor from bleu cheese, caramelized onion, jam and balsamic vinegar—tasty bites that vanish in a hurry. —Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Florida

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Thyme-Roasted Vegetables

The smell of our house as this is baking calls everyone to dinner. Normally, it serves eight, but my husband's been known to have more than just one serving at a time. It's that good. —Jasmine Rose, Crystal Lake, Illinois

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Portobello Fajitas

I serve portobello fajitas family-style so guests can build their own. Just pass the tortillas and garnishes like salsa, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington

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Thanksgiving Lover's Pizza

Love Thanksgiving leftovers? Try this unique take on pizza. Get creative with different variations: use whole berry or jelly cranberry sauce; add dollops of mashed potatoes on top; drizzle with turkey gravy; sprinkle with stuffing or dressing; or try unique pizza crust varieties. —Carla Parker, Anderson, South Carolina

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Corn & Onion Souffle

I swapped out my old cheese souffle for one with corn. If you’re souffle-challenged, it helps to use smaller ramekins instead of one big dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Quick Watermelon Salsa

On hot days, this sweet combo of watermelon, pineapple and fresh cilantro has everything you want. The flavors blend beautifully, it’s pretty, and it comes together in no time. —Betsy Hanson, Tiverton, Rhode Island

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Pierogi Chicken Supper

Chicken, cheese and onion combine with frozen pierogi to give dinner a change of pace. Best part is, it takes just 30 minutes to get this satisfying skillet supper on the table. —Barbara Scott, Walkersville, Maryland

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Beef Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

I've always wanted to tour the Mediterranean, but this is as close as I'll get...for now. Top these gyros with a yogurt sauce that doubles as a dip for pita chips. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin

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Sweet Onion Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs

For my mother's 92nd birthday, we had pimiento cheese deviled eggs as part of the spread. They’re timeless and always in good taste. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma

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Sweet Onion Pie

Loaded with sweet onions, this creamy pie makes a scrumptious addition to the brunch buffet. By using less butter to cook the onions and substituting lighter ingredients, I cut calories and fat from the tasty dish. —Barbara Reese, Catawissa, Pennsylvania

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Chicken & Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese

My grilled cheese sandwich combines chicken with sweet caramelized onions, red peppers, Swiss cheese and sourdough bread. It’s oh-my goodness. —Kadija Bridgewater, Boca Raton, Florida

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Skewerless Stovetop Kabobs

My family loves this quick and easy recipe so much, we never have any leftovers. It's also great on the grill. —Jennifer Mitchell, Altoona, Pennsylvania

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Sweet Onion & Cherry Pork Chops

When I want to jump-start supper, I opt for these tender pork chops. The sweet and savory cherry sauce makes the recipe a keeper. Try serving it with wild rice pilaf. —Stephanie Ray, Naples, Florida

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Onion-Garlic Bubble Bread

I've relied on this bread recipe often over the years. Frozen dough hurries along the golden pull-apart loaf. It's wonderful with Italian dishes, especially spaghetti and lasagna. —Charlene Bzdok, Little Falls, Minnesota

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Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Onion

Tender potato gnocchi are so delicious with sauteed mushrooms and onions. This is one of my family's go-to side dishes. —Kris Berezansky, Clymer, Pennsylvania

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The post A Tear-Free Onion Exists, and It’s at Your Grocery Store appeared first on Taste of Home.

Krista Garcia