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    Home » Recipes » Vegetable Prep Hacks

    How to Cut Green Onions (Scallions)

    Published: May 12, 2023 / Modified: May 12, 2023 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print
    sliced and whole green onions on a cutting board with text boxes for recipe name and website

    Learn how to cut green onions, also known as scallions, with tips on how to trim and slice them for garnish and diagonally. In this tutorial with step-by-step photos and a short video, you’ll read about what part of the green onion to use and how to cook with this vegetable.

    sliced and whole green onions on a cutting board with text boxes for recipe name and website

    Green onions — or scallions (they’re the same thing!) — are a type of onion that provides a milder flavor than yellow, white, or red onions. If you’re wondering what part of the green onion you use, most recipes call for only the light green and white parts, but the darker green parts are also edible and make a great garnish. Read on to learn how to cut green onions and use them in your cooking!

    Jump to:
    • How to Clean
    • How to Trim
    • How to Cut into Slices
    • How to Cut Diagonally
    • How to Store Cut Green Onions
    • Recipes
    • Video
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    How to Clean

    First, wash green onions under running water. Use your fingers to rub off any dirt. Pat them dry. Then, remove any wilted leaves.

    woman removing wilted leaves from a scallion over a cutting board

    How to Trim

    Next, trim both ends of the green onions. You don’t want to remove too much, so just slice off the stringy root ends and the tips of the dark green tops.

    woman trimming the stringy ends off of scallions on a cutting board

    How to Cut into Slices

    Since green onions are skinny by nature, most recipes call for them sliced. Cut them crosswise into slices of your desired size.

    woman slicing green onions into pieces on a cutting board

    How to Cut Diagonally

    If you are using green onions for garnish, you may want to cut them diagonally. They look extra pretty that way! Just turn the green onions on an angle and slice them crosswise.

    woman slicing green onions on a diagonal on a cutting board

    How to Store Cut Green Onions

    To keep green onions as fresh as possible, it’s best to cut them right before you are going to use them. However, you can cut them in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 5 days. To freeze them, see my tutorial on How to Freeze Green Onions.

    Recipes

    Now that you know how to cut green onions, let’s talk about how to use them in cooking! Green onions can be used to impart onion flavor to a dish, similar to any other kind of onion. However, they tend to have a milder flavor than more potent varieties like white and red onions. Regardless, they work well as a substitute for other onions in most recipes. They also make a great garnish for stir fries, tacos, nachos, rice, soups, and pastas. The opportunities are endless!

    Here are some great recipes that use scallions or ones where they can be substituted for other types of onions:

    • Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins with Mushrooms and Scallions
    • Slow Cooker Black Beans with Scallions
    • Scallion Pesto (Green Onion Pesto) (a great way to use green onion tops when you used the white and light green parts for another recipe!)
    • Leek Pancakes (sub scallions for leeks)
    • Creamy Ramp Dip (sub scallions for ramps)
    • Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
    • Vegan Potato Salad Recipe with Fresh Dill

    Video

    I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

    📖 Recipe

    sliced green onions next to whole ones on a cutting board

    How to Cut Green Onions

    Learn how to cut green onions (scallions) to use in recipes or as garnish, including how to trim and slice them diagonally.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 6 green onions
    Calories: 4kcal
    Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Chef's knife

    Ingredients

    • 1 bunch green onions
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Wash the scallions under running water, using your fingers to remove any dirt. Pat dry.
    • Remove any wilted leaves and discard. Trim off the stringy ends and tips of the dark green tops.
    • Slice the onions crosswise into pieces of your desired size. Most recipes call for the white and light green parts only, but the darker green parts are edible and can also be used, even if just as a garnish.
    • If you want to slice them diagonally, turn the onions on an angle then cut them crosswise.
    • Use cut green onions immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!

    Video

    Notes

    • Use sliced green onions as a substitute for other onions in recipes or as a garnish for tacos, stir fries, pasta, and more.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1scallion | Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

    Happy cooking! – Lizzie

    More Vegetable Prep Hacks and How-Tos

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      How to Freeze Green Onion
    • frozen chard in a plastic bag with text boxes for post title and website name
      How to Freeze Swiss Chard
    • sliced Swiss chard leaves and stems in bowls on a cutting board with text boxes
      How to Cut Swiss Chard
    • mixed vegetables in a vegetable steamer basket on a counter
      How to Steam Frozen Vegetables

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