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    Home | Food Facts | Cooking 101

    What are Scallions and How To Use Them?

    Published: Jan 16, 2022 · Modified: Jan 26, 2022 by Elle

    Jump to Recipe

    Scallions, sometimes known as green onions, are long, thin tubes with a green to white tint that changes gradually across the tube, while spring onions are larger and have a thicker, bulb-like base. Read more about what these are and how to use them!

    What Are Scallions
    Jump to:
    • What Are Scallions?
    • Scallions vs Green Onions
    • How to Cut Green Onions?
    • Scallions vs Spring Onions
    • Scallions vs Chives
    • Substitutes for Scallions
    • Recipes with Scallions
    • People also ask [FAQs]
    • Wrap Up: What are Scallions
    • Recipe

    What Are Scallions?

    Scallions (also known as green onions, spring onions, or cybies) are vegetables that come from the Allium genus.

    A scallion features a white base that hasn't fully matured into a bulb, as well as long green stalks that look like chives.

    Both the white and green parts of the plant are utilized in dishes and can be eaten raw or cooked, however, their flavor is milder than that of most onions and can be used to enhance the flavor of a dish in a variety of ways.

    Scallions vs Green Onions

    Both can be found in any grocery store these days, and this is because they are the same thing and the only difference is how the grocery store decides to label the product.

    Green onions are picked when they're still young from the bulb-forming onions we're used to, or from other varieties that don't develop bulbs at all.

    How to Cut Green Onions?

    Scallions can be chopped in a variety of ways, depending on the meal you're creating.

    Don't be hesitant to chop the green onion in half and use it for different dishes, as the white part of the onion has a stronger flavor than the greener part, which has a mellower taste.

    This vegetable should be sliced rather than chopped, with the blade of a sharp knife being used for the entire length. Here’s an easy way of slicing scallions, after they have been washed:

    1. Arrange a few scallions in a single layer on the cutting surface
    2. Place the blade's tip against the cutting surface
    3. Gently pull rearward through the scallions

    Spring onions must not be chopped with pressure as their delicate leaves may be bruised by downward pressure; chopped scallions can be used in a variety of ways, including coins in fried rice, hairs as a garnish for soups, and large chucks for salads.

    How to chop scallions

    Scallions vs Spring Onions

    Scallions and spring onions have a very similar look and taste, but can be easily recognized. 

    While the first has the same thickness throughout their body, spring onions have a wider white part, in the shape of a bulb. 

    Scallions vs Chives

    Chives, which are related to onions, are used as herbs; they feature long, hollow green stems that are commonly consumed raw. Chive stems are significantly narrower than green onion stems, making them an excellent garnishing option.

    When comparing the leaves of these two herbs, you'll find that chives are much thinner than scallions and are green from top to bottom; these two are so different it is very straightforward to distinguish them.

    Spring onions, scallions, chives
    Spring Onions - Scallions - Chives

    Substitutes for Scallions

    When looking for a substitute for scallions, you will firstly need to consider whether the element that needs replacing is the stalk or the leaves, as these two are very different in taste and consistency.

    Here are some substitutes which you could consider depending on the dish:

    • Chives can be used in place of the green part, especially when looking at an alternative for a garnish.
    • Spring onions add flavor and crunch in a very similar way. 
    • Pickled or grilled spring onions, which have a little stronger flavor, are delicious.
    • Leeks can be a good alternative to scallion whites. They are a wonderful substitute for cooked green onions because they are closer to the ideal clean, savory flavor than a yellow onion.
    • Shallots offer a very pleasant, almost sweet note. Like onions, they are members of the allium family, but they're smaller and have a more delicate, faint flavor.
    • Although scallions (green onions) and spring onions have subtle variances, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes.

    Recipes with Scallions

    Although the green onion is little, it is one of the most potent onions in the culinary world in terms of crunch, suttleness, and appearance; here are some recipes you can try that use green onions: 

    • Hibachi Fried Rice Recipe
    • Better Than Restaurant-Style Schezwan Sauce
    • Egg Fried Rice
    • Roasted Cauliflower Soup
    • Creamy Potato Salad Recipe

    People also ask [FAQs]

    Are Scallions Green Onions?

    Yes, green onions and scallions are the same. Members of the Allium cepa species, the following are the main features of this vegetable: 

    - Stringy white roots
    - Grown in bunches and harvested early
    - Long, soft green leaves
    - Stiff white stalks (no bulb) less than half an inch in diameter Bunching onions is another name for them.

    What do Scallions look like?

    In Asian, American, and European cuisines, scallions, green onions, and spring onions are frequently used in a vast variety of dishes.

    Scallions have a long white stem end that does not protrude, are smaller than spring onions, and are collected at a younger stage of development.

    The bulb of scallions is the narrowest compared to spring onions, usually hardly broader than the onion’s stem, while the bulbs of spring onions are slightly larger and circular. Green onions and scallions have the same appearance as they are the same: long, hollow green stalks with little white stems, with a milder flavor than normal onions.

    Are Scallions Healthy?

    Scallions are lower in carbs and protein than other onions, so using them in moderation—especially the greens—is a good way to add taste and nutrition to a variety of healthy diets, including keto.

    Can You Freeze Scallions?

    Have a bunch of green onions that you won’t be able to use right away?

    Yes, scallions can be frozen. Make sure to freeze the scallions as soon as possible after purchasing them, as you’ll want to put them in the freezer while they’re still fresh to retain as much flavor as possible.

    One of the advantages of freezing scallions or green onions, instead of refrigerating them, is that it helps to keep their flavor for a longer period of time.

    Wrap Up: What are Scallions

    • Scallions are a tasty and nutritious ingredient that can be added to a multitude of dishes, without really increasing the calorie count.
    • While the green and white parts not only look different but have also different taste and crunch, green onions do not belong to any cuisine in particular and are used throughout the world both cooked or raw.
    • Wash them and use them as soon as you purchase them, or freeze them in prewashed and precut batches, ready to be added to the pan the next time you need them.

    Recipe

    Chopped Scallions

    How to Cut Green Onions?

    Elle
    Scallions can be chopped/sliced in a variety of ways, depending on the meal you're creating.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 1 min
    Cook Time 2 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 8 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Kinife preferably a sharp knife
    • 1 Chopping Board

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Bunch Green Onions

    Instructions
     

    • This vegetable should be sliced rather than chopped, with the blade of a sharp knife being used for the entire length. Here’s an easy way of slicing scallions, after they have been washed:
    • Arrange a few scallions in a single layer on the cutting surface
    • Place the blade's tip against the cutting surface
    • Gently pull rearward through the scallions
    • Spring onions must not be chopped with pressure as their delicate leaves may be bruised by downward pressure; chopped scallions can be used in a variety of ways, including coins in fried rice, hairs as a garnish for soups, and large chucks for salads.

    Video

    Notes

    Don't be hesitant to slice the green onion in half and use it for different dishes, as the white part of the onion has a stronger flavor than the greener part, which has a mellower taste.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 8kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 66mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 239IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Green Onion, Green Onions, Scallions
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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