• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Savor the Flavour

  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy/Disclaimer
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Spring Recipes
  • Coronation Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Shop
  • Services
  • Contact
×

Home » Veggie Side Dishes

How to Cut Green Onions

Published: Mar 11, 2023 by Brooke · This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission.

4 shares
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Discover the ultimate secret to slicing green onions like a pro. With our captivating step-by-step visuals and stunning video tutorial, you can effortlessly master the art of cutting green onions like never before.

If you love cooking with green onions, you'll want to check out our Irish mashed potatoes (better known as colcannon) and our copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken.

four glass bowls of green onions cut four different ways.

Want to see our latest recipes?  Subscribe to our email newsletter to get our latest recipes, fun food facts, food puns, and behind the scenes news about our blog.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to Prep
  • How to Cut
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serve
  • Store
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes That Use Green Onions
  • Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients

green onions on a cutting board.

The ingredients are as simple as it gets: one bunch of green onions.

  • Vegetable: We used more than one bunch for this photo shoot, but buying one bunch is usually all you need for a recipe.
  • Substitutions: If you need to substitute this vegetable in a recipe, we suggest using spring onions or chives.

How to Prep

Gather the supplies: green onions, cutting board, paper towel, and a very sharp chef's knife.

rinsing and patting dry green onions with paper towel.
  1. Start by rinsing the green onions under cold running water to clean off any dirt and debris.
  2. Blot them dry with paper towel.
removing wilted and damaged pieces and cutting off tops and roots of green onions.

3. Remove any damaged parts of the white onion skin by peeling off the outer layer or ripping off wilted areas of the green stem.

4. Line them up and chop off the roots and the tops and discard. Now, you're ready to cut them in any style that you want.

How to Cut

In this step by step guide, we'll show you how to cut this vegetable four different ways. As an added bonus, we'll also provide instructions for creating an appealing garnish.

slicing green onions into coins on a cutting board.

1. Coins

To cut them into coins, line them up. If you need only the green stems for your recipe, cut off the white part and set it aside for another use.

For the photo shoot, we cut the whole onion starting with the green part in ¼ inch coins. Chop with a smooth, circular chopping motion. You can separate the green and white parts if you plan on using them for different purposes.

Onions that are cut into coins are wonderful for baked potatoes, nachos, fritattas, omelettes, and salads.

slicing green onions on the bias in longer pieces on a cutting board.

2. On the Bias

To cut them on the bias, line them up, and place your knife at a 45 degree angle. Using the same slicing motion as in step 1, cut the onions into whatever length you want. You can also cut the white part very thinly on the bias.

It's common to use 1to 2 inch pieces cut on the bias in stir fries and soups.

cutting the green onions into julienne strips with a cutting board.

3. Julienned

To julienne, separate the white parts from the greens. Take one green stem that is 4 to 5 inches long and carefully slice it open from top to bottom. Open it up, and then make thin slices cutting from the top to the bottom. Repeat this step until you have the amount you need.

These are commonly used in ramen, slaws, and salads.

Curls for Garnishing: If you want the julienned cuts to curl, immerse the onions in a bowl of ice water for 10 to 15 minutes until they curl. Drain and pat dry. Use as a garnish in sandwiches, tacos, salads, or rice and noodle bowls.

mincing green onions on a cutting board.

4. Minced

To mince them, separate the whites from the greens and then line them up. Chop with a smooth, circular motion like when you are cutting coins, but make the cuts much closer together--like 1 to 3 mm.

These are commonly used in sauces, dressings, dips, compound butter, and salsa.

With your new knife skills, you can now say goodbye to uneven cuts and hello to stunning garnishes.

Recipe FAQs

What part of a green onion do you cut?

You can cut the white part or the green. It is more common to cut the green, but the white part can also be used.

What part of the green onion do you eat?

You can eat both the white and the green part of the onion.

What part of the onion do you not use?

This depends on your recipe. The green part is the most commonly used part, but the white part can also be used. Discard the roots and any wilted green stems.

What's the difference between scallions and green onions?

The only difference is that they are labeled differently in certain countries and grocery stores. They both have long, hollow green stalks and white stems with a mild flavor.

Serve

Green onions can be eaten raw or cooked and are used in a variety of dishes. They are frequently used as a garnish for soups, dips, and salads, like this Thai red curry noodle soup and tomato olive salad. They are also very popular in stir fries and ramen, like this kung pao chicken and vegan ramen. You can also use them in breakfast casseroles or breakfast freezer sandwiches.

Store

Learn how to preserve the freshness of green onions, whether they are uncut or have already been prepared. We'll also provide guidance on freezing to simplify meal preparation and to minimize food waste.

Storing Uncut Green Onions

storing fresh green onions in a jar and a plastic bag.
  • Method 1: Stand them in a glass of water, root end down, and loosely cover the jar with plastic. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Method 2: Cut the tops and roots off, then wrap in damp paper towels and place in a zip-top plastic bag. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Storing Cut Green Onions

collage of four images showing four different styles of cut green onion.

Rinse, pat dry, and cut them as desired. Seal inside of an airtight container to retain their moisture, then refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

flash freezing green onions on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  • Flash Freeze: Rinse them and thoroughly blot dry, cut as desired, then spread on a baking tray to flash freeze. Put into a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw: Place on the counter for 20 minutes, then use in your recipe of choice.

Expert Tips

  • Buy fresh: Buy only fresh, healthy green onions. Don't buy if the stalks are limp.
  • Keep it sharp: Use a sharp chef's knife to prevent bruising the onions.
  • Work in batches: Cut the whole bunch at one time to save time, instead of slicing them individually. Separate the white part from the green to use in different recipes.

Recipes That Use Green Onions

  • Sticky Asian Chicken Thighs
  • Vegan Ramen with Vegetables
  • Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
  • Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

If you liked this recipe and found it helpful, give it some love by sharing!

Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook for more crave-worthy recipes!

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated!

Recipe

four bowls with different styles of cut green onions.

How to Cut Green Onions

Elevate your cooking game with our easy-to-follow tutorial on how to slice green onions like a pro! Our step-by-step guide will teach you the best techniques for achieving perfectly sliced green onions every time.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin FavoriteSaved! Rate
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 1kcal
Author: Brooke & Emma

Ingredients
 

  • 1 bunch fresh green onions

Equipment

  • sharp chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • paper towel

Instructions

Prepping

  • Start by rinsing the green onions under cold running water to clean off any dirt and debris. Blot them dry with paper towel.
  • Remove any damaged parts of the white onion skin by peeling off the outer layer or wilted areas of the green stem.
  • Line them up, chop off the roots and the tops, and discard them. Now, you're ready to cut them in any style that you want.

Cutting

  • Coins: Line up the onions and slice crosswise into ¼ inch coins. Use a smooth, circular chopping motion. Separate the white and green parts if desired.
  • Bias: Line up the onions and place your knife at a 45 degree angle. Slice crosswise with smooth motions, cutting them as long as you want.
  • Julienne: Cut the onions in half to separate the green and white parts. Take one green piece and carefully slice it open from top to bottom. Open it up and then make thin slices cutting from the top to the bottom.
  • Curls for Garnishing: If you want the julienned cuts to curl, immerse the onions in a bowl of ice water for 10 to 15 minutes until they curl. Drain and pat dry.
  • Minced: Cut the onions in half to separate the green and white parts. Line the onions up and slice crosswise with a smooth motion like when you cutting coins; cut each piece 1-3 mm long.

Storing

  • Method 1: Stand the green onions in a glass of water, root end down, and loosely cover the jar with plastic. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Method 2: Wrap the green onions in damp paper towels. The roots and tops were cut off first. Place inside of a zip-top plastic bag. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Flash Freeze: Rinse the green onions and thoroughly blot dry, cut as desired, then spread on a baking tray to flash freeze. Put into a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw: Place on the counter for 20 minutes, then use in your recipe of choice.

Video

Notes

  • Buy fresh: Buy only fresh, healthy green onions. Don't buy if the stalks are limp.
  • Keep it sharp: Use a sharp chef's knife to prevent bruising the onions.
  • Work in batches: Cut the whole bunch at one time to save time, instead of slicing them individually. Separate the white part from the green, to use in different recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcalCarbohydrates: 0.3gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.01gSaturated Fat: 0.002gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.003gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 40IU (1%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 3mgIron: 0.1mg (1%)

Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.

Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @savortheflavourblog or tag #savortheflavour!
« Candied Lemon Slices

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    March 11, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for all the tips to cut green onions professionally!

    Reply
    • Emma

      March 11, 2023 at 12:42 pm

      You're welcome, Beth! We're glad you found this helpful and informative!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

two ladies smiling

Welcome to our kitchen! We're Brooke & Emma, the mother-daughter team behind Savor the Flavour. As self-taught cooks and bakers, we love to inspire you to cook from scratch with real food! Increase your kitchen confidence with our recipes, instructional photos, and helpful tips and facts.

More about us →

logos of companies and newspapers

Celebrate Spring with Cucumber Sandwiches

stack of cucumber sandwiches on a plate

Spring Recipes

  • Panera Bread Lemon Drop Cookies
  • Virgin Piña Colada
  • Copycat Chick-fil-A Market Salad
  • Subway Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies Copycat
  • Chick-fil-A Lemon Kale Caesar Salad Copycat
  • Copycat Chick-fil-A Cobb Salad

Popular Posts

  • Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad
  • Blue Lagoon Mocktail
  • Hurricane Mocktail
  • Avocado Lime Ranch - Chick-fil-A Copycat
  • Homemade Cuban Bread (Pan Cubano)
  • Panera Bread 10 Vegetable Soup

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Work with Us
  • Press

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Sign Up for Newsletter
  • Services

Other

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2017-2023 Savor the Flavour