Can’t find the fresh chives you need for making a recipe? Here’s the best substitute for chives, that tender green herb that’s part of the onion family.
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, but 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. Minced shallot
This is the best substitute for dips and dressings. You can use it as an approximately 1:1 substitute, though the flavor is sharper: but usually chives are used in a very small amount. You could add a little parsley as well for a green color.
3. Garlic chives
If you can find them at an Asian market, they taste similar to chives but have garlicky flavor notes. Use as a 1:1 substitute.
4. Parsley (for color only).
If the chives are used as a garnish in the recipe, using finely chopped parsley makes a similar look of green confetti. You lose the onion flavor, so you could add a pinch of onion powder if you wanted.
5. Omit it!
Some people 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. I’ll leave that up to your discretion! My recommendation is green onion all the way.
I wanted a dried alternative to dried chives, you and two other sites only gave substitutes in fresh alternatives – NOT dried, very disappointed.
Thanks for the information. I am a culinary student and I’m making Vichyssoise and I needed chives for garnish. The stores were out.
You’re welcome! Green onion tops are best for Vichyssoise if you can find them. Thanks for writing and good luck!