Which knife is used to chop vegetables?

Author: Broderick Renner III  |  Last update: Saturday, December 20, 2025

The stalwart of any kitchen is a chef knife, but a santoku knife also works great, and if you have never used a vegetable knife (sometimes called a vegetable cleaver), it is a fantastic knife for large vegetables.

What is a vegetable knife?

Vegetable knives are used for slicing, dicing, chopping, and cutting large and small vegetables. They generally measure between 5 to 7 inches. You can get any vegetable cutting knife online, but you have to know what type to buy depending on what you'll use it for.

What kind of knife is best for chopping onions?

What kind of knife is best for cutting onions The best knife for cutting onions is a very sharp knife! An 8-10 inch sharp chef's knife, santoku knife, or a thin cleaver knife will work best. Avoid serrated and/or blunt blades, which can mash the onion, cut unevenly, and cause more tears and potential injuries.

Are serrated knives good for cutting vegetables?

Serrated knives are for more than slicing bread. They are the perfect tool for tougher, waxy-skinned veggies and fruits like butternut squash, pineapple, bell peppers and tomatoes.

What is the best knife to chop vegetables with?

Best All-Around Knives for Cutting Vegetables

The stalwart of any kitchen is a chef knife, but a santoku knife also works great, and if you have never used a vegetable knife (sometimes called a vegetable cleaver), it is a fantastic knife for large vegetables.

Santoku vs. Chef's Knife: 5 Key Differences and When to Use Each

When not to use a serrated knife?

A sharp serrated knife will also prevent you from squishing and damaging delicate foods. Serrated knives are excellent for making long, straight knife cuts through larger items, but they aren't ideal for slicing small foods, peeling fruits or mincing ingredients.

What's the difference between a chef knife and a vegetable knife?

Choose a Vegetable Knife if you focus on preparing vegetables, fruits, and herbs with precision. It's perfect for those who prioritize clean, intricate cuts. Opt for a Chef Knife if you need an all-purpose tool for handling a wide range of ingredients, from vegetables to meat and fish.

What knife cut is used to cut vegetables?

3. Batonnet. The batonnet cut is most often used for vegetable sticks and stir fries. The batonnet (bah-toh-NAY) starts as a rectangular cut that's also used for the julienne.

What is a serrated knife used for?

Serrated knives are mostly used to cut products with a hard outside and a softer inside. A baguette is probably the first thing you think of right now. But also other types of bread, cakes and pies can best be cut with a serrated knife.

Are Santoku knives good for vegetables?

Use the santoku knife for a wide variety of tasks such as slicing vegetables, fish and beef or mincing and dicing herbs, garlic, onions and carrots. Santoku knives are excellent for chopping potatoes, apples and tough root vegetables.

What is the hardest vegetable to chop?

Those Hard To Cut Veggies That That Are Calling for Your Cleaver
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Artichoke. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Tomato. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Bell Peppers. ...
  • Cauliflower. Start by quartering your cauliflower, meaning cut it into four equal parts. ...
  • Kale. To prepare your kale, start by removing the center stem along the length of the vegetable.

What vegetable is cooked uncovered?

Strong-flavored vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and turnips are much more appealing if some of their flavor is lost. Cooking strong-flavored vegetables uncovered and in larger amounts of water allows off-flavors to escape.

What knife is best for cutting vegetables?

Paring knives are great for lots of vegetable related tasks, such as peeling, trimming, and more delicate slicing. They are very good for small and precise tasks, and offer a little more control than a chef's knife when it comes to dealing with small vegetables and fiddly tasks.

What are the 3 most commonly used knives in a chef's kitchen?

For most cooks, the trio of serrated, chef's, and paring knife will tackle pretty much any cutting task. Depending on what you prep frequently, though, you might want to add these other knives to your collection. Boning knife: Useful for cutting up, butterflying, or fileting meat, fish, or poultry.

What knife to use to cut broccoli?

Tight-fitting florets might have you scratching your head about how to cut broccoli. However, with the right tools, it is easier than you might think. A sharp knife with a pointed tip, like Cutco's Gourmet Prep Knife, will help you navigate between the florets and easily slice the thick stems.

What is the safest knife?

Description: Concealed-blade safety knives include all types of safety knives and cutters whose blade edge is concealed and protected for the user. They are considered to be the safest cutting tools available. The method of cutting with such safety knives is most often pulling.

Is a serrated knife better for tomatoes?

Those teeth grab onto a tomato's thin skin and cut straight through rather than slipping off the side or squishing the tomato with unnecessary pressure. Once you realize how much easier it is to cut tomatoes with a serrated knife, you'll never go back.

What is a paring knife for?

A paring knife is named for the action it does best, to pare or strip away an outer material such as peel. Paring knives are usually 3-4”, and are essentially a short blade with a sharp tip that has a razor-sharp edge for doing small precise kitchen tasks.

What is a Santoku knife used for?

The Santoku knife is an all purpose Japanese knife, adept at slicing, dicing, and mincing. The name santoku means 'three virtues' for the knife's ability to cut fish, meat and vegetables equally well.

Why should you slice off a small bit of potato on the side before you begin your actual knife cuts?

Why should you slice off a small bit of potato on the side before you begin your actual knife cuts? REMEMBER, you need to square it off (Make a flat surface on one side by cutting a small piece off) this allows the potato to lay flat on the cutting board.

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