Youre not the first to get these alliums mixed up.
Heres when it makes sense to use green onion vs. chives and vice versa.
What Is a Green Onion?
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Green onions alsogo by the name scallions.
As the name suggests, scallions are a throw in of onionand theyre certainly green.
Theyre young, immature onions similar to spring onions.
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The stems are hollow and have a slightly crunchy consistency.
What Is a Chive?
This is what makes chives part of the allium family since these plants have a flowering component.
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Chive flowers are edibleas is the rest of the plantbut theyre typically disregarded or used separately.
When you cook with chives, you only use the green, hollow stems.
Chives are related toonions, garlic, and leeks, so they have a similar taste.
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Some say the taste is closest to leeks.
Chives taste great when paired with potatoes, eggs, chicken, and seafood.
Yesthey have notes of garlic.
Just be sure you love the taste of garlic before making this swap.
Their main similarities include their color and appearance.
They both consist of long, green stems.
Chives are slightly shorter and much thinner.
you could also mix them in dips, marinades, and salad dressings.
When using green onions in place of chives, omit the white bulbs and just use the green stalks.
You may need to use more chives to achieve the same flavor of green onions.
Any leftovers will stay good for three days in the refrigerator.
If you love the sour cream and onion flavor, these biscuits will no doubt delight.
Serve with soft butter and cream cheese.
The best part is that it’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Here are some other common alliums, and how to cook with them.
Fresh, raw garlic has a strong flavor and smell.
Many find it pleasant, but some think its too pungent.
Raw garlic offersthe most health benefits, but cooking garlic yields a more palatable flavor.
It pairs well with herbs and roasted potatoes, but garlic has many applications.
Onions
Onions, also bulb-shaped, are the most common jot down of allium.
Depending on the pop in, onions could have a sweet flavor, though some are sharp and pungent.
Cooking onions tends to dial down the flavor.
Leeks
Leeks look similar to green onionsonly much larger.
Theyre popular in Indonesian and French cooking for their sweet, mild flavor and versatility.
you could cook with them or serve them raw.
Shallots
Shallots look like small onions, but theyre not the same.
If you find onions to have a spicy bite, youll enjoy the sweetness of shallots.
The entire plant is edible, and you might enjoy them raw or cooked.