Making a recipe that calls for chives and don’t have it? We’ve got your back. Chives are a tender fresh herb that’s part of the onion (allium) family. They’re often used fresh chopped as a garnish for soups and salads. Dried chives are also used dried in dips. Chives are very easy to grow in a pot or garden. What’s the best way to substitute them?
Can I substitute dried chives for fresh?
Technically, yes. However, dried chives don’t have a lot of flavor on their own! They’re best re-hydrated in creamy dips or cooked recipes. It may not bring loads of flavor, but it’s an option if it’s all you have. Ratio: For 1 tablespoon fresh chives, substitute 1 teaspoon dried chives. This works for any dried herbs.
Best substitute for chives
1. Green onion (scallion) greens.
The best substitute for chives? Scallion greens! Scallion is also called green onion, and the dark green part tastes a lot like the fresh flavor of chives. You can substitute it one-for-one. So 1 tablespoon finely chopped scallion greens = 1 tablespoon chopped chives. We do this often in our recipes if we don’t have chives on hand! (Here’s the difference of chives vs green onions.)
2. Omit it!
Other sources suggest that leek and onion can replace chives. But chives have a very delicate flavor, and are often used thinly sliced as beautiful green garnishes. It doesn’t quite make sense to substitute cooked leek or onion here. We’ll leave that up to your discretion! Our recommendation is green onion all the way.
Related recipes
Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring chives:
Green Pea Soup with Chive FlowersCheddar & Chive Savory WafflesEggs with Chive FlowersRoasted Baby Potatoes with Chive OilLoaded Potato Soup
