{"id":894597,"date":"2026-03-26T05:32:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/26\/what-to-cook-when-you-dont-feel-like-chopping-an-onion\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T05:32:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:32:20","slug":"what-to-cook-when-you-dont-feel-like-chopping-an-onion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/26\/what-to-cook-when-you-dont-feel-like-chopping-an-onion\/","title":{"rendered":"What to cook when you don\u2019t feel like chopping an onion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Recipes <\/p>\n<article id=\"post-887673\" data-post-id=\"887673\">\n<section>\n<h2>Recipes Embrace lazy cooking to its fullest with these five recipes from a professional chef<\/h2>\n<div>\n<p><h3>\n                    <span>Published<\/span><br \/>\n                    <time datetime=\"2026-02-26T09:55:30-05:00\"><br \/>\n                        February 26, 2026 9:55AM (EST)                    <\/time><br \/>\n                <\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<p><img width=\"1692\" height=\"1142\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cacio-e-pepe-1014211.jpg\" alt=\"recipes Cacio E Pepe (Getty Images\/Ekaterina Fedotova)\"  decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" >    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Cacio E Pepe (Getty Images\/Ekaterina Fedotova)        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<section>\n<p>To chop an onion, or not to chop an onion \u2014 that is the question when you\u2019re running low on energy and simply want something quick yet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2026\/01\/29\/what-to-eat-when-nothing-sounds-good\/\">easy to eat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Such quick meals, often categorized under the umbrella term <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2026\/02\/18\/lazy-ways-to-eat-more-vegetables\/\">\u201clazy cooking,\u201d<\/a> have taken social media by storm, with several food content creators sharing their go-to lazy recipes. But as for what lazy cooking actually entails, it\u2019s not super clear-cut. The hack itself refers to meals that are prepared with minimal effort, minimal clean up and convenient ingredients that are often readily available in one\u2019s refrigerator and pantry. That definition, however, seems to vary from home cook to home cook. Does it require cutting an onion? Or, is it simply opening a box of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2023\/05\/03\/3-expert-tips-for-turning-decadent-macaroni-and-cheese-into-a-full-weeknight-dinner\/\">mac &#038; cheese<\/a> and zhuzh-ing it up with a few spices?<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of what your preferred definition of lazy cooking is, there\u2019s no denying that chopping an onion, or two, requires effort. And sometimes, that extra bit of effort just seems too laborious. Sure, onions add plenty of perks to a dish: texture, a hint of sweetness and plenty of umami. But contrary to popular belief, you don\u2019t <em>need<\/em> onions to enjoy a really good meal.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/category\/food\">Salon Food<\/a> spoke with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.edu\/about\/faculty-profiles\/stephen-chavez\">Chef Stephen Chavez<\/a>, Senior Chef-Instructor at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ice.edu\/\">Institute of Culinary Education\u2019s<\/a> Los Angeles campus, who offered his go-to tips on how to cook sans any chopped onions. Before diving into specific recipes, it\u2019s important to familiarize yourself with ingredients that can be used in lieu of onions, Chavez says. His top substitutes include:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Roasted Peppers<\/strong>: Make them homemade or buy them canned or jarred, roasted peppers are filled with flavor that mimics the savory-sweetness of onions. As for specific peppers, Chavez recommends piquillo peppers, a variety of red chili peppers traditionally grown in Northern Spain.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Herbs<\/strong>: Specifically, thyme, tarragon and rosemary \u2014 aromatic herbs that go well in almost any savory dish.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lemon Zest<\/strong>: Chavez calls it his \u201csecret ingredient\u201d and likens it to \u201ca magic powder.\u201d It\u2019s readily available (as lemons are typically a kitchen essential) and easy to prepare. A little lemon zest can perk up even the simplest of dishes, like scrambled eggs. If you think your dish is lacking in flavor, don\u2019t try to remedy it with more salt. Simply add a pinch of lemon zest, Chavez says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tomato Paste<\/strong>: This is great if you\u2019re already making a tomato-based dish that calls for onions. Simply use a bit more tomato paste than the recipe calls for to amp up the flavor. Tomato paste is essentially cooked-down and concentrated tomatoes. It\u2019s sweet and rich in umami \u2014 everything you\u2019d get out of an onion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spices<\/strong>: Sumac is a great option because it\u2019s acidic yet earthy, tart and slightly lemony, Chavez explains. Same with za\u2019atar, another bright spice. For the more adventurous home cook, Chavez suggests experimenting with asafoetida (hing), a pungent, umami-filled spice that\u2019s a staple in Indian cuisine. It has a sulfurous smell that takes on a similar flavor to both onion and garlic.<\/p>\n<p>And now, for the recipes. Here are five things to cook on days you don\u2019t feel like chopping an onion:<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cJust make your scrambled eggs basically the way that you normally do. A little bit before the eggs are totally firm, chuck in a little lemon zest,\u201d Chavez says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you combine that with some herbs, it\u2019s outstanding,\u201d he continues. \u201cThere\u2019s a classic French blend of herbs called fines herbes. It\u2019s tarragon, chervil, parsley and chives. It\u2019s amazing. Add in a bit of scallions and green onions, too. Eggs take really well, especially to parsley, tarragon and chives, plus, lemon zest. It\u2019s like having this incredibly flavorful classic omelet without the effort.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cPasta is versatile,\u201d Chavez explains. \u201cYou can literally put anything you want in it, and it\u2019s going to be fine \u2014 even without onions. Many classic Italian dishes don\u2019t necessarily require onion.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chavez points to cacio e pepe, a rather simple yet rich dish that calls for spaghetti, olive oil, coarsely ground black pepper, salt, butter and Pecorino Romano. For specific recipes, check out this one for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2025\/11\/12\/cheesy-cacio-e-pepe-rolls-warm-from-the-oven\/\"><span>bite-sized cacio e pepe rolls<\/span><\/a> and another for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2023\/04\/28\/natasha-feldmans-cacio-e-pepe-mac-and-cheese-is-pure-pasta-comfort\/\"><span>cacio e pepe mac and cheese<\/span><\/a>, inspired by Natasha Feldman\u2019s \u201cThe Dinner Party Project: A No-Stress Guide to Food with Friends.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Pesto also doesn\u2019t require any onions. To make, blend together garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, salt and basil in a food processor or blender. \u201cIf you don\u2019t have basil, you can make it with parsley, even carrot tops,\u201d Chavez says.<\/p>\n<p>For another easy pasta dish, simply brown six tablespoons of your favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2022\/11\/29\/brown-butter-is-culinary-magic-heres-how-to-use-it-in-everything-from-pasta-to-dessert\/\"><span>butter<\/span><\/a> and toss in a few herbs to make a luxurious and decadent sauce that pairs exceptionally well with fresh pasta shells or spaghetti.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\u201cThere are a million chicken dishes that can be done without any onions,\u201d Chavez says.<\/p>\n<p>He recommends chicken piccata, a bright and acidic dish that\u2019s heavy on butter, capers, lemon juice and lemon zest. You can even add white wine, artichoke hearts and parsley to the dish, per this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2021\/08\/04\/think-chicken-is-boring-these-inspired-takes-on-italian-american-classics-will-change-your-mind\/\"><span>recipe<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Some may know it as milanesa. Others call it schnitzel, even katsu. Breaded, pounded chicken cutlets transcend geographic boundaries \u2014 and they don\u2019t call for any onions.<\/p>\n<p>Chicken cutlet starts with either a boneless chicken thigh or a boneless chicken breast that\u2019s covered with cling wrap and pounded to even thickness. The meat is then coated in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs before it\u2019s fried in oil.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll you need with that is a little squeeze of lemon and it\u2019s incredible to eat,\u201d Chavez says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<\/section>\n<hr>\n<section>\n<h2>Recipes<br \/>\n            Related Topics            <span><br \/>\n                &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;            <\/span><br \/>\n        <\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<section data-post-id=\"887673\" data-terms=\"food,institute-of-culinary-education,onion,recipe-guide\">\n<h2>Recipes<br \/>\n        <span><br \/>\n            Related Articles        <\/span><br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div>\n        <template><br \/>\n            <a href><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/app\/themes\/salon\/assets\/img\/salon-placeholder.webp\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"recipes Salon placeholder\">\n                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                <span><\/span><br \/>\n            <\/a><br \/>\n        <\/template>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<hr><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salon.com\/2026\/02\/26\/what-to-cook-when-you-dont-feel-like-chopping-an-onion\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recipes Recipes Embrace lazy cooking to its fullest with these five recipes from a professional chef Published February 26, 2026 9:55AM (EST) Cacio E Pepe (Getty Images\/Ekaterina Fedotova) To chop an onion, or not to chop an onion \u2014 that is the question when you\u2019re running low on energy and simply want something quick yet [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":894598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[119419,640],"tags":[131512],"class_list":{"0":"post-894597","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chopping","8":"category-dont","9":"tag-popular-recipes"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/894597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=894597"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/894597\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/894598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=894597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=894597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=894597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}