With their refreshing flavors, fresh vegetables always make a meal a memorable experience. Scallions are one such ingredient that elevate the flavor of a dish. However, if you are out of scallions, you can easily find their substitutes in the market to enjoy a similar texture and flavor.
Some of the best scallion substitutes are shallots, chives, leeks, ramps, red onions, and yellow onions. In this article, we will explore many more alternatives for scallions so you can use them when out of scallions.
But before we find out the substitutes for scallions, let me give you an idea of what scallions taste and look like. Scallions, also known as green onions, are versatile ingredients that are eaten raw or cooked.
They have a mild onion-like flavor and can be easily identified by their white stem and green tops. Both the lower and top parts of scallions are edible.
From salads to soup to noodles, stir-fries, and more, scallions are a great ingredient to make a stellar dish. Now that you have a fair idea of what scallions look and taste like, let’s find out their substitutes.
11 Best Scallion Substitutes
Take a look at all the substitutes for scallions to work your way to achieve similar results.
1. Dried Scallions
You can always use dried scallions as a substitute if you are out of fresh scallions. This will help you achieve the same taste in your recipe.
You can use dried scallions in stews, soups, sauces, and any liquid dish that will hydrate them. Dried scallions can be used in place of fresh scallions in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Spring onions
Spring onions and scallions are also the same things. The difference lies in the size of the base.
Spring onions have a small to medium bulb at the base of the white part. Like scallions, they can be added to various recipes in the same ratio.
3. Chives
Chives are one of the best substitutes for scallions. They have a similar mild onion flavor and green color. Like scallions, chives are also used for garnishing and adding flavor to dishes.
Chives are commonly used in salads, soups, and creamy sauces. While replacing chives for scallions, you can use them in the same quantity in your recipe or increase them as needed.
4. Leeks
Like onions, leeks also belong to the genus Allium family. This makes them a good alternative to scallions. Although leeks don’t have green leaves like the rest of the alliums, they have a matching flavor profile to scallions with milder notes.
Thus, if you are looking for a sharper flavor in your dish, you can substitute leeks by increasing their quantity. If you enjoy subtle and mild flavors, you can use them in a 1:1 ratio.
Leeks can work well as a substitute for scallions in soups, stews, frittatas, quiche, and stir-fries. They can also be used in salads or as garnish.
5. Ramps
Ramps are a delicacy as they grow in springtime. They are an onion and garlic hybrid, having similar looks to scallions. Ramps are also known as wild leeks or wild garlic.
Ramps are often pickled. They are also popularly added to scrambled eggs, sauteed vegetables, sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, condiments, or just raw, finely sliced.
The bulbs of ramps tend to have slightly more onion flavor, while the leaves have garlicky notes. Therefore, ramps do make a suitable replacement for scallions.
However, due to their stronger flavor, adding ramps in a lesser quantity than what your recipe calls for is recommended.
6. Red Onions
Onions are undoubtedly the best replacement for scallions. However, it should be noted that onions come in wide varieties and varying flavors.
Thus, while replacing them with scallions, you should be aware of their level of sharpness to achieve the desired taste notes.
If you are out of scallions, you can use red onions in their place. But it should be noted that red onions have an intense flavor.
Hence you should use them in lesser quantities in raw form as a replacement. On the other hand, they can be substituted in the same ratio in a recipe that asks them to be cooked.
7. Brown/ Yellow Onions
If you have brown onions in your vegetable basket instead of scallions, you can use them as a replacement for frying purposes.
In comparison to scallions, brown onions have a pungent taste profile. Frying them helps to mellow down this quality.
Thus, brown onions can be replaced with scallions in cooking, but they should be avoided as a raw alternative to scallions.
8. Sweet Onions
Sweet onions can be used as a substitute for scallions in certain dishes. However, it should be noted that they have different flavors and textures.
As compared to scallions, sweet onions are usually much larger and have a sweeter and milder taste.
Sweet onions can be used in recipes that call for scallions as a garnish. You can use them to top off a salad, soup, or stir-fry.
However, if the recipe calls for scallions in larger amounts, using them may alter the taste and texture of the dish.
9. Shallots
Shallots are a good alternative for scallions as they belong to the onion family. They have a deep onion flavor with garlicky notes. Thus, use shallots to replace scallions in smaller amounts to avoid overpowering your dish.
Shallots work well in raw and cooked forms. They can be used in soups, stir-fries, stews, sauces, and raw preparations like salads, dressings, and salsas. Hence while substituting scallions, use them in a 1:1 ratio.
10. Garlic Scapes
Garlic scapes can be used as a substitute for scallions in some recipes. They are the curly shoots that grow at the end of the garlic plant. Garlic scapes have a strong and pungent flavor that is a cross between onion and garlic.
When using garlic scapes as a substitute for scallions, begin by using them in a lesser amount than what the recipe calls for. Taste the dish and adjust the quantities to ensure that the flavor of garlic doesn’t overpower other ingredients.
11. Onion Powder
A dried and ground version of onion is called onion powder. This is a good substitute for scallions for achieving similar flavors.
A pinch of onion powder can be replaced with scallions to add a punch of onion flavor. However, if your recipe calls for scallions for garnish, you will miss out on the color and texture.
Short Recap Of The Best Scallion Substitutes
Take a look at a short recap of the best substitute options for scallions to make the correct choice for your recipe.
Best Scallions Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor –
- Dried Scallions
- Spring Onions
- Chives
Best Scallions Substitutes That Are Easily Available –
- Spring Onions
- Chives
- Leeks
- Shallots
- Yellow/Brown Onions
- Onion Powder
Scallions Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-
- Garlic Scapes
- Ramps
How To Use Scallions Substitutes In Recipes
11 Best Scallion Substitutes That You Should Try!
Ingredients
- Dried Scallions
- Chives
- Leeks
- Spring Onions
- Red Onions
- Brown/Yellow Onions
- Shallots
- Ramps
- Garlic Scapes
- Onion Powder
- Sweet Onions
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Scallions are young onions that have a slender shape and mild taste. They are a great ingredient to add in recipes as a garnish or as a base for cooked dishes.
Every part of the scallions is edible. While the white stalk or the end has an onion-like flavor, the green leaves taste fresh and grassy.
These qualities of scallions make them a good addition to many recipes. Furthermore, it also makes finding substitutes easy.
I hope you enjoyed finding substitutes for scallions. If you have any queries regarding using any of the substitutes mentioned above, don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do scallions taste like?
Scallions have a sharp and peppery flavor.
What is the common name for scallion?
Scallions are commonly known as green onions.
Are scallions and green onions the same?
Yes, scallions and green onions are the same.
How to eat scallions?
Scallions can be eaten raw or cooked.
What parts of scallions are edible?
All parts of scallions are edible.
Can you cook scallions like onions?
Yes, you can cook scallions like onions but only briefly.
What are the best uses of scallions?
Scallions make for an excellent garnish. They can also be used in soups, stews, sandwiches, sauces, and marinades.
