Tear-jerker in the kitchen (5)
I believe the answer is:
onion
'tear-jerker' is the definition.
(cutting onions can make you cry)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for onion that I've seen before include "Cause of tears" , "One may be set" , "reason for tears" , "veggie" , "Bulbous vegetable" .)