The Difference Between Chives And Green Onions

When browsing the produce section of our local grocery store, it may seem that a lot of things look pretty much alike. I’ve accidentally picked up parsley when going for cilantro more than once, and grocery delivery shoppers have grabbed an iceberg lettuce when I wanted a green cabbage a few times. But those examples are nothing compared to confusing chives and green onions, which on top of looking rather similar seem to essentially serve the same purpose in many dishes. So, are they the same thing … and how can we know the difference?

The root (so to speak) of differentiating between these two flavorful vegetables is to know exactly what each is, and the purpose each ultimately serves.

What Is A Green Onion?

Green onions are often called spring onions or scallions, and are seen in countless dishes. “Green onions, also known as scallions or spring onions, or what I call a little light sprinkle and hint of an onion taste, are vegetables with long, thin green stalks and small white bulbs,” said  Chris Valdes, a Miami-based celebrity chef and caterer. Scallions are best known for having a mild onion flavor, and while it’s often used as a garnish in a weeknight stir fry, you’ll also often see it in dishes such as in salads, soups, and frittatas.

What Is A Chive?

Chives are perhaps a little bit less of a daily household staple than the green onion but it has so many popular uses, from mashed potatoes to a common potato chip or dip flavor. This is a type of herb related to onions and garlic. “They have long, thin green stems that resemble grass and a mild onion flavor,” said Valdez. These too you may see in salads, sauces, or soups, basically anything you want to add a subtle onion taste. 

What Is A Garlic Chive?

The plot thickens, because there’s also garlic chives to consider. Garlic chives, also known as Chinese chives, are a variety of chives with a garlicky rather than subtle onion flavor. “They have flat, wide leaves and are commonly used in Asian cuisines, particularly in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese dishes,” said Valdez. Garlic chives can be used fresh or cooked and are often added to stir-fries, dumplings, soups, and other savory dishes that benefit from that infusion of garlic.

Differences Between Chives And Green Onions

Chives and green onions look similar but they are different. Chives and green onions are similar in appearance, both having long, green stems, but they have some differences. “Flavor of a chive has a milder, more delicate onion flavor compared to green onions, which have a stronger, more pronounced onion taste,” said Valdez.

• Appearance. The first step is going to be the ability to look at them and know what you are picking up, and there’s several ways to tell the difference in appearance between a chive and a green onion. “The stems of the chive are typically thinner and more delicate, resembling grass, while green onion stems are thicker and more robust,” said Valdez.  “The bulbs of green onions have small white bulbs at the base, while chives usually have small, underdeveloped bulbs or no bulbs at all.”
• Usage. The biggest difference in chives vs. green onions will simply be how we use them. “Chives are something I often use as a garnish or in raw dishes for a subtle onion flavor, while green onions can be used both raw and cooked and are more commonly used as a vegetable in cooking,” said Valdez.

How To Use Chives And Green Onions Interchangeably

While chives and green onions have different appearances and flavor profiles, you can use one in the place of the other in cooking, if necessary. “You can use chives as a substitute for green onions and vice versa in many dishes, but there will be some differences in flavor and texture,” said Valdez. 

Be prepared to have to make some other flavor modifications to make up for the differences between chives and green onions. “Since chives have a milder flavor and thinner stems compared to green onions, they may not provide as much onion flavor or substance in dishes where green onions are called for.”

However, in recipes where the onion flavor is meant to be subtle, such as in salads, dressings, or garnishes, chives can work well as a substitute. Similarly, green onions can be used as a substitute for chives in dishes where a stronger onion flavor is desired. “It's always a good idea to adjust the quantities to taste when substituting one for the other,” said Valdez.

Common Uses For Green Onions And Chives

Green onions are incredibly versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes such as stir-fries, rice dishes, omelets, guacamole, and as a topping like on a hot baked potato or to top off some loaded nachos.

Chives are also versatile and can be used in dishes such as a topping to finish soups right before serving, potato salad, or even in a compound butter. 

Proper Storage Tips

As chives and green onions are different, the way they are stored will differ as well. Here's what Valdez advises:

How To Store Chives

1. Trim off any wilted or yellowed parts of the chives.
2. Wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel and store in a resealable plastic bag.
3. Keep in the refrigerator crisper drawer.

How To Store Green Onions

1. Store them upright in a glass or jar with about an inch of water at the bottom.
2. Cover loosely with a plastic bag and placed in the refrigerator.