Onion Too Strong? Give It a Bath.

Raw onion can be delicious in salads, tacos, burgers, salsa, and sandwiches—right up until it becomes the only thing you can taste.

If you want the crunch and onion flavor without quite so much bite, put your sliced or chopped onion in a bowl of cold water for about 10–15 minutes. Drain it well, then use it as usual.

Why Does It Work?

Cutting an onion releases sulfur compounds that contribute to that sharp, pungent raw-onion flavor. A cold-water soak helps remove some of those compounds, leaving you with an onion that’s milder but still crisp.

Make It Your Own

Plain cold water is great when you just want to mellow the onion without changing its flavor. But if a little acidity works with the dish, you can use lime juice, lemon juice, or vinegar instead. That helps tame the harsh raw-onion bite while adding a bright, tangy flavor at the same time.

For something like Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, lime juice makes perfect sense. For a burger or sandwich where you just want a milder onion? Cold water keeps things simple.