When your recipe calls for onions, but you can’t find green onions, can you substitute it for red onion? What about chives?
It’s a common dilemma: the recipe we’re making calls for green onion and we just don’t have any. We know that we should probably go out and buy some, but the question is: what do we use in the meantime?
There are a bunch of different substitutions you could make depending on what you need. If you want to make a reduction sauce or a side dish, then red onion would be perfect.
But if it’s as simple as giving your sandwich a little flavor boost, chives will work as well! Check out this handy guide to find out all the different substitutions you can make when cooking!
Substitutions for green onions
If you’re missing green onions, then a common substitution is red onion. Red onion has a milder flavor and a sweeter taste. It’s great in dips and sauces where you want your dish to have a little more sweetness (like when making a reduction sauce).
If you need some color to add to your dish, then using chives will be perfect. Chives are also much smaller than green onions so they would work well if you need something to add some greenery in with your dish.
How to Use Chives as a Substitute for Other Vegetables
Chives are a wild plant that’s related to onions and garlic. It can be eaten raw or cooked, but it is best known for its use as a seasoning. Chives are usually used to give onion flavor to dishes whenever there’s none.
People usually don’t think about using chives as a substitute for other vegetables, but it can work well in some dishes too! Here are some ideas on how you could use chives as a substitute for other vegetables.
How to Substitute Chives for Other Vegetables
Instead of using chives in a salad, you could use fennel. Fennel has a similar flavor and texture to chives, so it will work well with any dish.
Chives could also be used in place of parsley or dill in some dishes. You can add them into just about anything!
If you’re looking for a substitute for your usual vegetables, try using chives instead of spinach or kale. Chives have a more pronounced flavor than these vegetables, so they’ll do well on their own or on top of something else like rice or grains.
Ideas on how to use chives as a substitute for other vegetables
1. Chives are perfect to use as a substitute for onions in soups or stews.
2. You can also use chives to replace onions in casseroles and side dishes.
3. If you don’t like your dish too salty, you can also use chives as a substitute for celery in soups and stews.
4. Combine chives with other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or cucumbers for an easy colorful salad!
5. Also try using chives as a substitute for minced garlic because they have similar properties–they both have strong aromas and flavor!