There are times that call for a good cry. Watching YouTube videos of soldiers reuniting with their dogs, for example, or the opening montage of Up. Or when you need to get out of a parking ticket (mixed results on that one).
But then there are times when crying is just plain inconvenient – like when you’re trying to whip up dinner for the family during the 5pm witching hour. If you’re anything like me, the moment you chop into an onion, the tears start rolling.
And while the tears are bad, they’re not even the worst part of chopping onions. It’s the burning, the stinging, the general frustration. With so many game-changing inventions out there (air fryers, the robot vacuum, low-carb potatoes), we’ve got a new one for the kitchen: tearless onions.
Happy Chop onions are the game-changing veggies from Wilcox now stocked exclusively at Woolworths.
We got our hands on these new little beauties this week and put them to the test. Here are our thoughts.
What are tearless onions?
Exactly what they sound like.
Ok, more info: Available exclusively at Woolworths, Happy Chop onions are particularly mild. They look like regular onions, have the same texture, and make a delicious base for all your favourite dishes. But here’s the big difference: they don’t have the same strong pungency that causes eyes to water.
The secret lies in a compound called pyruvic acid (P.A.), which is typically responsible for making you cry. P.A. and sugars (sweetness) are the two key measurements in onions. Happy Chop onions have significantly lower pyruvic acid levels—about a third of a regular brown onion, meaning far fewer tears.
How were tearless onions invented?
Tear-free onions were first developed internationally by Nunhems around seven years ago.
In New Zealand, Happy Chop onions are grown exclusively for Woolworths by the Wilcox family. Wilcox worked closely with Nunhems to develop the first New Zealand crop of tear-free onions last year—a period of trial and error to learn about the agronomics of the variety, optimal storage, and the best growing seasons.
Happy Chop onions are harvested around late March, then ground-cured for two to three weeks before being placed in cool storage for 6–8 weeks.
This process allows the pyruvic acid levels to stabilise and the sulphur volatility to reduce, meaning less pungency and a big reduction in that eye-stinging, tear-inducing gas when cut. See, science!
June 2025 marks the first time Happy Chop onions are available to the New Zealand public.
Do tearless onions taste like regular brown onions?
We’re going out on a limb here: they might actually be better. Happy Chop onions have a much milder, slightly sweeter flavour than regular brown onions, meaning they can even be eaten raw without that lingering bite.
They’re ideal for summer salads and sandwiches that need a bit of crunch and zing.
The slightly sweeter taste also makes them beautiful for caramelising in onion jam or French onion soup. I used them to make an onion gravy to enjoy on top of sausages, and they were the perfect mix of sweet and savoury, resulting in a delicious, silky sauce.
Making a pasta sauce or curry? They’re perfect for that too—just chop and use them as you would any other onion.
Scott Harvey, Onion Crop Manager at Wilcox, says Happy Chop onions have a “mild and delightful taste.”
“It’s an onion designed for everyone who loves the flavour but not the tears.”
Where can I buy Happy Chop onions?
Happy Chop onions are available exclusively at Woolworths with an RRP of $3
We’ve gathered some of our favourite recipes that use Happy Chop onions—delivering all the flavour, with none of the tears. Happy chopping!
Eight delish onion recipes you can now make without crying
Dig into a comfort food classic with this champ with sausages recipe. Served with a homemade brown onion gravy, this dish is the perfect warming family meal on chilly nights
Spice up your beef rib roast, the king of roasts, with spiced salt and serve with roasted Happy Chop onions and luscious garlic mayonnaise on the side.
This sage and onion stuffing is a classic accompaniment to a roast chicken. This stuffing recipe is also a great base to change or add to, depending on what’s in the pantry
Make your next Sunday roast one to remember with this French onion-stuffed chicken recipe. This simple yet impressive dish is perfect enjoyed for a family dinner with crispy potatoes and steamed veggies.
An Italian favourite gets a delicious makeover in this sensational gnocchi gratin recipe. Cheesy and oh so easy, this is great enjoyed as a tasty side dish or a simple main meal with a fresh salad
Perfect for your next charcuterie board or for a delicious sandwich.
Hearty and delicious, Nici Wickes’ mince on toast recipe is a great start to the day. It’s made that little bit more fancy than your classic version with chilli, onions and a perfectly fried egg
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This roasted almond and lentil loaf recipe creates a wonderfully hearty vegetarian main that’s perfect for Christmas. Serve with a delicious caramelised onion gravy
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