Categories: Recipe

11 Best Green Onion Substitutes You Probably Already Have

Published by

James marcus

1 year ago

Green onions are versatile vegetables that add flavor and pops of color to any dish. But there is not just one green onion substitute. There are many! Whether you want to add color to your recipe or find thebest onions for burgers, we have a substitute for green onions for you!

You might be interested

Green Onion Substitutes

1. Chives

Chives, like green onions, are a leafy plant and part of the onion family. Chives are a good green onion substitute because they have a similar flavor profile and a mild onion flavor. It is great in dishes where you don’t want a strong onion flavor, but still want a savory touch. You will often find it in dips, salads, potato chips, and sandwiches.

You are watching: 11 Best Green Onion Substitutes You Probably Already Have

The difference between chives and green onions, however, is that chives tend to have longer, skinnier and leafy stems. It doesn’t have the thick stem, with a white bottom part and green leafy top like scallion.

How To Use

Since they are more delicate and tender, chives are best used raw. Overcooking will make them mushy, and remove their crisp texture, onion flavor, and vibrant color. Because of this, we don’t recommend using them in dishes like stir fries or fried rice. That is, unless you’re just sprinkling them as a garnish.

The best way to cut chives is by dicing them thinly. You can then pair them with ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, or mayo for dips, salads, and sandwiches. They also work great as garnishing. For example, you can mix them into sour cream and use them as a topping for a loaded or baked potato.

Since chives have a milder flavor than green onions, you can be a little more generous in the amount you use. We would suggest substituting 2-3 tablespoons of chopped chives for 1 medium green onion.

2. Shallots

Shallots are a small, purple variety of the onion family. They have a milder and sweeter flavor than onions, which is why they work great as a substitute for scallions. Like scallions, they do not overwhelm a dish with a strong onion flavor.

How To Use

Shallots are versatile in many dishes and can be used in both cooked and raw dishes. Chop them finely and saute them in butter or olive oil to use in sauces, stews, or soups. You can also deep fry them and use them as a topping for dishes like fried rice or biryani. They are also amazing for caramelizing.

How much should you substitute? Shallots and green onions have similar strength in their onion-like flavor, so you can use them in a 1:1 ratio.

3. Leeks

Leeks are one of the best green onion substitutes you can find. Appearance-wise, they look like larger green onions with thicker stalks and larger leaves.

They have a mild onion-like flavor, and the taste is not as sharp as that of scallions. So they’re good if you want a milder replacement for scallions. They are also a great source of iron, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin B.

How To Use

You can chop the white stalk and use it in soups, stews or fried rice. They add a subtle savory favor. The green leafy tops can be chopped and used to garnish. Use them to make this quick hearty Irish mashed potatoes recipe.

To substitute leeks for green scallions, you can use 1 cup of chopped leeks for 1 cup of sliced green onions.

4. Dried Green Onions

If you don’t want to use fresh green onions because they wilt or take up too much space, dried green onions are an excellent substitute. Green onion, like any other herb, can be dehydrated or freeze-dried. You can do it yourself, or find them in spice jars at supermarkets next to other herbs like oregano and thyme.

How To Use

Dried green onions work great in any liquid dish where the moisture can rehydrate it. Use them in soups, ramen, stews, gravy, and curries.

Since they are dried, their flavor and smell are more concentrated, so you only need to use a small amount. Use 2 teaspoons of dried green onions instead of 1 fresh green onion.

5. Chinese Onions

Another on the list of the best substitutes for green onions is the Chinese onion. It is one of the many flavorful ingredients used in Asian recipes. It is characterized by a longer white stalk than regular scallions, and shorter green tops. It can be used both cooked or raw.

How To Use

Chinese onions are an excellent replacement for scallions because they have the same pungent onion flavor. They are commonly pickled in countries like China or Vietnam where it is served in the New Year as an appetizer or side dish. It also works great in recipes like Chinese scallion pancakes or to make a flavor-packed, aromatic scallion oil.

Chinese onions and scallions are different varieties of the same vegetables. So, you can substitute Chinese onions in a 1:1 ratio with scallions.

6. Onion Shoots/Leaves

Have you ever accidentally left your onions long enough to find them sprouted with green, leafy shoots? A lot of people throw them away, but they are actually edible and you can chop them and use them the same way as you would scallions.

How To Use

Their flavor is slightly milder than that of scallions, so they work best as garnish. It does not matter whether they are yellow onions, shallots or red onions. You can use the shoots from any of them.

Clean any dirt and chop the shoots off the main onion. Finely chop the onion shoots, and use them as a topping for omelets and baked potatoes. Use 2-3 tablespoons of chopped onion shoots to substitute for 1 medium green onion.

7. Pearl Onions

Pearl onions are also a unique variety of onion that works well as a green onion substitute. Appearance-wise, they look like miniature versions of yellow onions, which is why they’re named ‘pearl’ onions. However, their taste is sweeter and milder than that of yellow onions.

They are predominantly grown and used in Europe, in countries like Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. In the UK, alternative names include silverskins, baby, or button onions.

How To Use

Because of their sweet, mild taste, they are generally used for pickling, caramelizing, or onion relishes. They are also sometimes used in martinis like olives would be used. To substitute them for green onions, use them in a 1:1 ratio.

8. Onion Powder

This is a great option if you want a replacement for green onions that doesn’t take up much space. Or, when you don’t want any solid pieces in the dish, onion powder is a great alternative. You will still get that mild, onion-like flavor to add umami to your dish. It is excellent because it doesn’t take up space in the fridge, you don’t have to worry about it going wrong, and it can dissolve easily in liquids.

How To Use

Onion powder is so versatile and its cooking uses are endless. You can add it to curries, stews, casseroles, pasta sauces, gravies and much more. It is also a very popular ingredient used in seasoning for roast or fried chicken and turkey.

Onion powder is onion in a dehydrated form, so the flavor is more concentrated. Hence, you only need to add a small amount to replace green onions. For one green onion, use half a teaspoon of onion powder.

9. Ramps

If you want a green onion substitute that has a mild onion flavor but also a touch of garlic flavor, look no further than ramps. They are characterized by skinny purple stalks with a white bulbous bottom and relatively large green leafy tops. Ramps are also called wild leeks.

They are a variety of wild onion native to North America and are in season during the spring. In some states like Virginia and Tennessee, there are even ramp festivals to celebrate their harvest and flavor.

How To Use

Ramps can be used as a replacement in any recipe that calls for scallions or leeks. They can be eaten raw in salads or sauteed with things like eggs, cheese, or potatoes. You can also grill, roast or pickle them.

There are a myriad of dishes where it can be used. For example, you can eat them sauteed with scrambled eggs or make a creamy potato and ramps soup (similar to potato and leek soup).

As they have similar flavor and strength, ramps and scallions can be used interchangeably. Use them in a 1:1 ratio, i.e. sub 1 cup of chopped ramps for 1 cup of green onions.

10. Tokyo Negi

Negi is a variety of green onion often used in Japanese cuisine. It is also known as Tokyo Negi, Naga Negi, or Shiro Negi. It is slightly different in appearance to scallions, where the white stalks are longer, and the green, leafy tops are shorter and smaller.

Because they are good at handling the heat due to their prominent white stalks, they can be used in sautéing, braising, roasting, or even frying. The white part of the stalk has a sharp, onion-like flavor.

How To Use

You can use them in any dish that calls for scallions or leeks. Cook them with butter and cheese for soups, sauces and casseroles. In Japanese cuisine, it is mainly used in hot pot dishes, noodles and stews, with the green part used as garnish.

How much Negi can you use? Use them in a 1:1 ratio. For 1 cup chopped scallions, use 1 cup chopped Negi.

11. Green Garlic

Green garlic are the soft, tender shoots of the garlic plant (that will eventually produce the garlic you find at the store). You commonly find them in Farmer’s markets during the spring. Their appearance is almost identical to green onions, with white, bulbous bottoms and green, leafy tops.

They have a mild garlic flavor instead of onion flavor. Like green onions, they can be eaten raw or cooked.

How To Use

Green garlic is to garlic what green onions are to onions- a leafier, crunchier variety with a milder flavor. It is great to use in pasta sauces like pesto or alfredo, or in stir-fries and soups. You can also roast or grill them.

How much green garlic can you use as a green onion substitute? This depends on how strong you want the garlic flavor in the dish. To start with, substitute ¼ cup of green garlic for 1 cup of green onion, and keep increasing until you get your desired taste.

Green Onion Substitute FAQs

What is the same as green onions?

Green onions and scallions are the same. Their iconic green stalks are simply called different names by different people. They are both the same type of onion and have the same crunch and bite in flavor.

Are green onions just onion sprouts?

No, green onions are not just onion sprouts. Green onions are a type of immature onion that is harvested before the bulb fully forms.

Onion sprouts, on the other hand, are the sprouted seeds of an onion plant. They are typically grown in water or moist soil and harvested when they are just a few inches tall. Onion sprouts are tender, have a delicate onion flavor, and are often used as a garnish or in salads. They are much smaller than green onions.

Is there a difference between green onions and scallions?

Green onions, scallions, and spring onions are often used interchangeably, and there is a lot of confusion about their use. When it comes down to it, however, green onions and scallions are just different names for the same vegetable.

Are green onions the same as spring onions?

No, green onions are the same. Spring onions in the United States differ slightly from green onions. Though they look similar, spring onions have a larger bulb at the bottom. Their green leafy parts are also more pungent than that of green onions.

Spring onions are also, as the name implies, harvested in spring. In contrast, green onions are available all year round.

Google may tell you that another name for spring onions is green onions. But green onions are called ‘spring onions’ in the UK and Commonwealth countries like Canada and Australia. But, in the US, they mean different varieties.

Do green onions count as onions?

Yes, they can be used in dishes where you want a bit of onion flavor that is milder than using onions.

Like onions, they belong to the Allium genus, which includes various types of onions, such as bulb onions (common onions), green onions (scallions or spring onions), shallots, leeks, and chives.

Are green onions healthy?

Green onions are definitely healthy and provide a range of nutritional benefits. They’re low in calories and contain various vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds. Below are just a few health benefits:

Vitamins and minerals: Green onions are a good source of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate. They also contain small amounts of other nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Antioxidants: Green onions contain various antioxidants, including flavonoids and sulfur compounds, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Anti-inflammatory properties: The sulfur compounds found in green onions have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce inflammation in the body.
Heart health: Green onions contain compounds that may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Immune support: The vitamin C content in green onions helps support a healthy immune system.
Digestive health: Green onions contain a type of soluble fiber called inulin, which promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and supports digestive health.

Recipes That Use Green Onions

P.F. Chang’s Lettuce Wrap

Mulligan Stew

Potato Salad

Knorr Spinach Dip

Empress Chicken

Crack Green Bean Recipe

Have questions or suggestions about these green onion substitutes? Leave them in the comments below.

More Ingredient Substitutes

Celery Salt Substitutes

Coconut Oil Substitutes

Vegetable Oil Substitutes

Tomato Paste Substitutes

Bay Leaf Substitutes

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe

This post was last modified on 27/10/2023 18:23

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.