Chives and green onions are two aromatic herbs that may look the same but are very different! Learn what sets them apart and how to use them in this thorough Chives vs. Green Onions guide.
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Are chives and green onions the same thing?
Are green onions (AKA scallions) and chives the same thing? is a question that often causes confusion in the kitchen. While these two ingredients belong to the same botanical family and share some similarities, they’re not always interchangeable and have distinct characteristics that set them apart.
This thorough Chives vs. Green Onions guide will explain the key differences between the two, from their appearance and flavor to their culinary uses and nutritional benefits, so you can confidently cook with both!
What are chives?
Chives are slender, grass-like herbs with delicate green stems and a mild onion flavor. They belong to the Allium genus, alongside onions, garlic, and leeks.
- Flavor profile: Chives add a subtle garlicky, oniony taste without overpowering other flavors. Their mildness makes them ideal for garnishing salads and flavoring dips and sauces.
- When are chives in season? Chives are in season during the spring and summer, although they can typically be found year-round in grocery stores or home gardens.
- Nutritional value: Chives are low in calories and rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain minerals like calcium, potassium, and folate, making them a nutritious addition to your dishes.
What are green onions (scallions)?
Green onions, also known as scallions or spring onions, are either young onions harvested before they bulb or they come from varieties that never form bulbs. They have an edible white base and long green stalks with a mild onion flavor.
- Flavor profile: Green onions have a slightly sharper taste than chives but are still milder than white or red onions. Their flavor adds freshness and depth to various dishes, from Asian stir-fries to Mexican salsas.
- When are green onions in season? Like chives, green onions thrive during the spring and summer, but they’re also often available year-round in most grocery stores.
- Nutritional value: Green onions are also low in calories and packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, and manganese. This makes them an excellent choice for boosting both the flavor and the nutrient content of your favorite dishes.
Culinary uses
With these tips and recipe suggestions, you’ll be well-equipped to incorporate both chives and green onions into your favorite meals:
How to use chives
- Garnish – Snip fresh chives with kitchen shears over soups, sandwiches, salads, roasted vegetables, scrambled eggs, and grilled steak for a pop of color and mild onion flavor.
- Sauces and spreads – Stir fresh chives into compound butter for steak or homemade salad dressings like my Steakhouse Blue Cheese and Jalapeno Ranch for extra depth of flavor. You can also stir chives into regular cream cheese or sour cream for a delicious twist.
- Potatoes – You can’t go wrong sprinkling chopped chives over baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or hasselback potatoes.
More recipes that use chives:
- Slow Cooker Cauliflower Soup
- Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
- Crab Cake Sauce
- Bang Bang Sauce
- Lobster Ravioli Sauce
- Greek Yogurt Onion Dip
- Smoked Salmon Dip
How to use green onions
- Garnish – Use this How to Cut Green Onions guide for an elegant garnish for dishes like Dan Dan noodles, Korean beef tacos, and ahi poke bowls.
- Sauteed aromatics – Saute chopped green onions with garlic and ginger as an aromatic flavor base for stir-fries and fried rice.
- Flavor enhancer – Mix green onions into quiches, frittatas, or savory pancakes, or toss them with grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Baked goods – There’s nothing better than chopped green onions in freshly baked cheddar biscuits, dinner rolls, and this Cheddar Spoon Bread.
More recipes that use green onions:
- Sticky Mongolian Meatballs
- Curry Chicken Skewers
- Lamb Dumplings in Spicy Ginger Broth
- Daikon Radish Salad
- Grilled Potato Salad
- Cold Peanut Noodle Salad
- Gyoza Dipping Sauce
- Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken
- Mongolian Chicken
How to regrow chives and onions
Remember that you can regrow leftover chives still attached to the bulb:
- After trimming the long green stems, plant the bulbs in a pot with soil.
- Place the pot on a sunny window sill and water it every few days.
- You should see regrowth very shortly! Trim the chives often to encourage new growth.
For more tips, check out this article from Wonder How To.
Don’t throw away the leftover scallion roots! It’s surprisingly easy to regrow green onions from cuttings:
- Place the leftover white roots in small jars filled with enough water to submerge the roots.
- Place them on a sunny window sill and change the water every 2 days.
- New scallions should grow within 5 days.
For more growth tips, check out this guide from Kitchen Confidante.
Storage tips
Fresh chives: Wrap the chives loosely in a damp paper towel, place them in a resealable plastic bag, and store them in your refrigerator’s vegetable crisper drawer for up to 1 week. You can also stand them upright in a glass of water and cover the top loosely with a plastic bag.
Fresh green onions: Remove any rubber bands or ties before placing the green onions upright in a glass or jar filled with about 1 inch of water (enough to submerge the roots). Cover the top loosely with a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator. Change the water every few days to maintain freshness.
FAQs
Are scallions and chives the same thing?
The short answer is no. While chives and scallions belong to the same botanical family, they’re very different in appearance, taste, and the way they’re used.
Chives are slender, grass-like herbs with a mild onion flavor, often used as a garnish or fresh flavor enhancer. Scallions, also known as green onions, have a white base, long green stalks, and a more pungent onion flavor.
Do chives and green onions taste the same?
While both herbs have a mild onion flavor, chives are much milder than green onions. If you’re looking to add an onion taste to your dishes, go with green onions. Chives are better off as a fresh, garlicky, and oniony garnish.
Can you substitute green onions for chives?
In some cases, yes, you can use chives and green onions interchangeably, like in recipes where a mild onion flavor is desired. Remember that green onions have a stronger flavor than chives, so you may need to adjust the quantities accordingly. Experiment with both herbs to find the balance that suits your recipe best.
How do I know when to use chives versus green onions?
The choice between chives and green onions depends on the flavor profile and texture you’re aiming for. Chives work well as a fresh garnish in dishes where you want a subtle onion-garlic flavor. On the other hand, green onions have a more pungent onion taste and crunchier texture, making them better suited for recipes that need a savory baseline of flavor.
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