Why You Should Avoid Roughly Chopping Your Shallots For A Flavorful Dish

How important are shallots? They're the cornerstone of many great recipes and the unexpected secret weapon in others (they give cacio de pepe a delicious twist). And if that's not enough proof for you, shallots are one the three most vital ingredients that of Andrew Zimmern can't live without. However, much of the flavor of shallots is due to how it's cut. Generally speaking, mincing your shallots will impart more flavor onto your dish, while roughly chopping this remarkably popular type of onion is often a poor choice if you expect the veggie to do any heavy lifting in the taste department.

Rough chopping is the term used for making imprecise cuts on whatever vegetable you're handling. To clarify why rough chopping undoes the impact of shallots, we spoke to Morgan Peaceman, a recipe blogger and content creator at Nomaste Hungry. She says that while there are uses for rough chopping, it isn't the best choice if you're hoping to benefit from all the flavor that shallots can offer. "It depends on what you are planning to use the onion and/or garlic for," Peaceman tells us. "If you want a mild flavor, slice or rough chop."

Instead of roughly chopping your shallots, your best choice for maximizing the flavor is to mince them before adding them to your dishes. "Mincing a shallot is my most favorite way to use an onion," says Morgan Peaceman. "Shallots are my go-to in the onion family, as it has such a balanced sweet and sharp flavor and smell. Mincing releases a very intense flavor and scent as it cooks, and also doesn't leave a large aftertaste."

Luckily, the best way to mince shallots is also among the easiest: You cut them in half from the stem to the root before making horizontal and vertical cuts. However, keep in mind that while mincing delivers the most flavor, it isn't the only way to cut shallots. Different cuts produce different results: "Dicing, chopping, and mincing (even slicing!) all have their purpose in various recipes," explains Peaceman. "[But] for a more intense and pronounced flavor, you'd want to dice or mince."