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Find the 5 top chive substitutes, how to swap fresh and dried, and quick rules for amounts and flavor tweaks.
Green onions or scallions are the closest swap for chives in look and mild onion flavor.
Adjust amounts when swapping: fresh chives are mild, dried are concentrated, and garlic chives are stronger.
Choose substitutes by use: scallions for garnish, leeks or shallots for cooked dishes, and add substitutes late for fresh flavor.
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Chives are a bright green herb with a subtle onion-like flavor. In fact, they are in the same family as onion, leeks, and garlic. Primarily used for garnishing, chives can also be used in sauces and broths. Garlic chives are a varietal used primarily in Chinese cuisine and have a stronger garlic vegetal note.
Chives’ bright color and light onion flavor make it a great finishing herb for savory dishes. Because the leaves are hollow, they make a pretty circular shape when sliced. Use either fresh chives or freeze dried chives depending on the season and availability. Chives are excellent when used in broths, dressings, stuffed potatoes, and deviled eggs.
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Chive replacements include their cousins: onions, shallots and garlic. Since chives have a delicate flavor, start slow with replacements. you can always add more later. Green onions, aka scallions, are the best substitute for chives. Here are some other chive substitutes to consider:
Green onion / Scallions
Leeks
Garlic chives are very similar to standard chives, so they make a natural substitute for each other. When substituting one for the other, remember that garlic chives are stronger than regular chives. You could combine chives and garlic to match the flavor more closely.
Dried chives are a fantastic alternative to fresh chives. Other good substitutes for fresh chives include leeks and green onion. All of these alternatives provide a somewhat similar flavor and color if used as a garnish.
An ideal dried chive substitute is fresh chives. Be sure to use more fresh chives if substituting as dried herbs tend to have a more concentrated flavor. Scallions and garlic are other good options if you need to add chive flavor to a dish.
Chinese chives are known for their pungent garlic flavor. So, if you are substituting you can always use regular chives which would have a more delicate flavor. If you go this route, consider adding more standard chives than the recipe calls for. To replicate Chinese chives garlic flavor you can also substitute garlic or scallions.
No, chives and green onions are not the same thing. Although they share a similar onion-like flavor and are often both used as garnishes there are some distinct differences between the two. Chives tend to be more delicate and are most often used uncooked. Green onions can be used as a garnish too but are used in cooked dishes as well.
You can substitute scallion, leeks, shallots and garlic for chives in a recipe. If you are substituting for a garnish your best bet is green onion/scallion for a similar look and taste.
Yes! Substituting chives for shallots is a good replacement. Chives are a more delicate flavor so we would recommend increasing the amount of chives used to increase the concentration of flavor.
Chives are a great finishing herb in many recipes. We recommend our creamy blue cheese stuffed shrimp recipe if you have extra chives you want to use. This creamy garlic dressing is another good recipe that calls for chives. For a crowd-pleasing recipe consider this Asian hot wings recipe that also calls for chives.
Are chives and green onions the same thing?
No. They are related but different. Chives are thin, mild, and usually used raw as a garnish. Green onions, also called scallions, are thicker, have a stronger onion bite, and work well cooked or raw. Scallions make the best visual and flavor substitute when you need a chive-like garnish.
What is the best substitute for chives?
Green onions or scallions are the best overall substitute. Use the green tops for a similar color and mild flavor. Slice them thin so they resemble chive rings.
How much substitute should I use when swapping chives?
Start with an equal volume for mild substitutes like scallions or leeks. If using dried chives, use one third the amount of fresh (1 tablespoon fresh = 1 teaspoon dried). For stronger items like garlic or shallots, use less and add more to taste.
Can I substitute garlic chives for regular chives?
Yes. Garlic chives have a pronounced garlic note and are stronger than regular chives. Use fewer garlic chives or blend regular chives with a small amount of fresh garlic to mimic the flavor.
When should I use leeks, shallots, or onions instead?
Use leeks or shallots for cooked dishes where a mild onion base is needed. Leeks need longer cooking to soften. Shallots add a sweet, mild onion flavor. Use raw white or yellow onion sparingly because they are much stronger than chives.
Can I use dried chives instead of fresh?
Yes. Dried chives work well when fresh are not available. They are more concentrated, so use about one third the volume of fresh. Dried chives are best added earlier in cooking, while fresh are added at the end to keep color and brightness.
How do I keep a chive-like look when substituting?
Slice the green tops of scallions or the green part of leeks into thin rounds to copy chive rings. Frozen or freeze-dried chives also keep their shape and color well as a garnish.