Green onions, scallions, spring onions, and chives may look similar in the produce aisle, but they aren’t exactly the same. Each one has its own flavor, texture, and best use in cooking. Once you know the differences, it becomes much easier to choose the right ingredient and make your dishes taste even better without guessing or wasting ingredients.
Green onions and scallions are actually the same thing. They are young onions harvested before a bulb forms, so they have a slim white base and long hollow green stalks. Their flavor is mild, fresh, and slightly sweet. Both the white and green parts can be eaten—the white is stronger, while the green is softer and more delicate. They are great raw in salads and salsas, or lightly cooked in soups, eggs, noodles, and stir-fries.
Spring onions are more mature than scallions and have a small bulb at the base. That bulb gives them a stronger, sweeter onion flavor, closer to a mild red or yellow onion. Spring onions are excellent grilled or roasted whole, and the bulb can be sautéed like regular onion. The greens can still be used as a garnish, making them a flexible choice for many meals.
Chives are different because they are an herb, not an onion vegetable. They have very thin, solid, grass-like stems and no bulb. Their flavor is delicate and mild, so they are best used raw or sprinkled on at the end. Use chives for soups, dips, eggs, and potatoes when you want a gentle onion finish without overpowering the dish.