Out of Chives, one case
Chinese chives substitutes: Asian cooking
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Garlic chives
Same amount as the chives
The best substitutes for Chinese chives are Garlic Chives, Regular Chives + Garlic, Green Onions + Garlic, and Leeks + Garlic. Use 1:1 ratio for most substitutes and adjust based on your recipe needs.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- Asian dishes
One casethe full chives card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of chives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garlic chivesAsian dishes | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Regular chives + garlicAsian dishes | Same amountChives + ½ clove garlic per tbsp chivesWorks | Works |
| 3 | Green onions (scallions) + garlicAsian dishes | Same amountGreen onions + ½ clove garlic per tbspWorks | Works |
| 4 | Leeks (green parts) + garliccooking | Same amountLeeks + ½ clove garlic per tbspTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Regular chivesgarnishing | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
Garlic chives
similar taste and texture
The closest substitute to Chinese chives with similar appearance and garlic flavor. Good for most Asian cooking applications.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, dumplings, stir-fries, garnishes, Chinese cooking, when you want authentic flavor
Garlic chives are very similar to Chinese chives and work in almost all applications. Look for them in Asian grocery stores.
Regular chives + garlic
similar taste and texture
Combine regular chives with minced garlic to replicate Chinese chives flavor profile. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, dumplings, stir-fries, cooking, when you want garlic flavor
Mix regular chives with minced garlic to get both the appearance and garlic flavor of Chinese chives.
Green onions (scallions) + garlic
similar taste and texture
Combine green onions with minced garlic to replicate Chinese chives. Good substitute with similar appearance and flavor.
- Best for
- Asian dishes, dumplings, stir-fries, cooking, when you want garlic flavor, garnishes
Green onions have stronger flavor than chives, so adjust garlic amount accordingly. Use both green and white parts.
Leeks (green parts) + garlic
different taste, similar texture
Combine leek greens with minced garlic for a milder version of Chinese chives. Good for cooked applications.
- Best for
- cooking, soups, stews, casseroles, when you want milder garlic flavor, dumplings
Leeks have milder flavor than chives, so the garlic will be more prominent. Use only the green parts.
Regular chives
different taste, similar texture
Regular chives provide similar appearance and texture but lack the garlic flavor. Good for visual appeal and mild onion flavor.
- Best for
- garnishing, when you don't need garlic flavor, visual appeal, mild onion flavor, dumplings
Same appearance and texture as Chinese chives but without the garlic flavor. Good for visual substitution.
How it behaves in this recipe
Chinese chives are used in Asian cuisine, especially in dumplings and stir-fries, for their unique combination of chive appearance and garlic flavor. The best substitutes depend on whether you need the garlic flavor (garlic chives, regular chives + garlic) or just the appearance (regular chives alone).
Tips for substituting chives
7 tips- Chinese chives are essential in Asian cuisine, especially in dumplings and stir-fries, so choose substitutes that complement Asian flavors
- When combining regular chives with garlic, mince the garlic finely to distribute the flavor evenly
- For dumplings, Chinese chives add both flavor and texture, so use substitutes that can handle cooking
- Chinese chives work well in pad thai and other stir-fries, so use substitutes that can handle high heat cooking
- Fresh Chinese chives have a more pronounced garlic flavor than regular chives, so adjust garlic amounts accordingly
- Store fresh Chinese chives in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels for up to a week
- For authentic Asian flavor, look for Chinese chives in Asian grocery stores or grow your own
Notes on chives
- Look for Chinese chives in Asian grocery stores for the most authentic flavor
- Growing your own Chinese chives is easy and ensures you always have fresh herbs available
- Freeze-dried Chinese chives are available and work well in cooked applications
- For a different approach, try using chive flowers which have a more intense flavor
Questions
5 questionsWhat can I substitute for Chinese chives?
The best substitutes for Chinese chives are garlic chives (1:1 ratio), regular chives mixed with minced garlic, or green onions with garlic. Choose based on your specific recipe needs.
Can I use regular chives instead of Chinese chives?
Yes, but regular chives lack the garlic flavor. For best results, mix regular chives with minced garlic (about ½ clove per tablespoon of chives) to replicate the Chinese chives flavor.
What's the best substitute for Chinese chives in dumplings?
For dumplings, use garlic chives if available, or regular chives mixed with minced garlic. The garlic flavor is important for authentic Chinese dumpling taste.
Are Chinese chives and garlic chives the same?
Chinese chives and garlic chives are very similar but not identical. Chinese chives are typically wider and have a slightly different flavor profile, but garlic chives are the closest substitute.
Can I substitute green onions for Chinese chives?
Yes, but green onions have a stronger onion flavor. For best results, combine green onions with minced garlic to replicate the Chinese chives flavor profile.