Looking for a way to add some flavor to your dishes without adding any extra seasoning? Chives might be the herb for you!
But, if you’re not always able to get your hands on chives, don’t worry – there are plenty of other herbs and vegetables that can do the trick.
The best substitutes for chives are the following: scallions, leeks, ramsons, garlic scapes, garlic chives, shallots and dry chives.
7 Substitutes for Chives to try
1. Scallions (Green Onions)
Scallions or green onions have a similar appearance to chives but they are different plants. While chives are herbs, scallions belong to the group of vegetables. They also come with thicker green stalks and white bulbs.
Anyway, they taste similar and you can safely use them in place of chives especially in meals that call for raw chives. They are the best alternatives to use as topping and dressing for salads.
2. Leeks
Leeks are allium vegetables with sweet onion and garlic flavors. They also have peppery touches and perfectly go with cooked dishes. Of course, you can use them as a garnish too, but the texture and exact flavor of leeks and chives differ.
There are also Chinese leeks that come with subtler stems and look like spring onions only with thicker leaves and milder flavor. If they are available in your region, then give priority to Chinese leeks when choosing between leeks and Chinese leeks to replace chives.
3. Ramsons
Ramsons, also called bärlauch or wild garlic, is a plant between leeks and garlic and shares similar flavors and taste to both vegetables. It can be used to replace chives in dishes where you need to maintain texture and the color of the dish.
They come with broad leaves and have a rather garlic-like flavor than oniony. You can chop them into small and tiny pieces and use instead of chives as a garnish or topping for sandwiches, salads, mashed potatoes and other savory dishes.
4. Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes are long green stems of garlic plants that grow before the garlic bulb. They are subtle greens to use instead of chives in salads, stir fries and as a topping for savory dishes.
Garlic scapes are native to East Asia and if you happen to find them in your markets, then you can add a mild sweet flavor to your dishes that call for chives. Choose it both for raw and cooked dishes.
5. Garlic Chives
Sometimes people confuse garlic chives with garlic scapes because they look like each other. However, they are different.
Scapes are the young flower stalks of garlic plants while garlic chives are leafy green originating from East Asia. They have a similar taste and both can be used instead of common chives.
Garlic chives have a stronger flavor than regular chives. You can use them in soups, stir fries, omelets and dumplings. They will also add a garlicky flavor, so decide where else you can use it as a chives alternative.
6. Shallots
Between so many types of onions shallots make the perfect match for chives. Since they have a milder flavor than the rest of onions, they stand closer to chives.
They are good especially for cooked dishes. Make sure to add them while cooking instead of adding at the end like chives. Use onions in small amounts as they taste stronger than chives. When cooked, onions have a mild sweet flavor.
7. Dried Chives
Finally, if you can’t find any fresh substitute for chives, there are dried versions of chives usually used as seasonings for cooked dishes, soups and vegetable meals as well as a topping for hot dishes.
Compared to fresh vegetables, herbs and plants dried chives have a milder flavor and taste. Use 1 teaspoon of dried chives to substitute one tablespoon of fresh chives.
FAQs
Can you substitute chives for green onions?
It really depends.
Chives have a stronger flavor than green onions, so if you are looking for a substitution that will be undetectable, you may want to try something else.
However, if you are looking for a substitution that will give your dish a little extra flavor, chives could be the way to go.
What are the best substitutes for dried chives?
One option is to use fresh chives instead of dried. This will give your dish a fresher flavor.
You can also try using onion powder or garlic powder as a substitute for dried chives. These spices will add some similar flavors to your dish without being as strong as chives.
Can I use parsley instead of chives?
Parsley and chives are two herbs that are often used interchangeably. They both have a mild flavor and can be used to garnish a dish or add flavor to a recipe.
While they may be similar, there are some key differences between them. Parsley has a stronger flavor than chives and is often used as a garnish. Chives have a more delicate flavor and are often used to add flavor to a dish.
Summing up
Whether you’re looking for a chives substitute because you can’t get your hands on any, or because you want to add some variety to your dishes, we hope this list has given you some ideas.
Do you have a favorite chives substitution that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments below!