What are chives, and how can they enhance your cooking?

If you’ve ever tuned into a cooking show, you’ve likely noticed the essential yet often overlooked role of garnishes. Some chefs even set up a special garnish station in their kitchens. A garnish acts like a finishing touch to a dish, much like an accessory to an outfit. Since we eat with our eyes first, the perfect garnish can transform the appearance of food, making it more appealing. Edible garnishes, such as chives, don’t just add visual appeal—they bring flavor and texture as well. Chives are often sprinkled on savory dishes like mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, omelets, soups, and more. Their bright green color provides a lovely contrast and adds a pop to any plate. Beyond their visual charm, chives have a mild onion flavor with a touch of garlic, making them a perfect choice for those who enjoy onions and garlic. Here’s how you can start using chives in your own meals.

What are chives?

The allium family is a fascinating group of vegetables, with chives standing out as a key member. Chives, known scientifically as Allium schoenoprasum, are often compared to green onions, scallions, and leeks, but they are unique in their own right. Though they are commonly classified as herbs because they produce seeds and share a similar appearance, chives are distinct vegetables. At first glance, their long green stems, which are hollow, may lead to confusion with green onions. However, the primary distinction is that chives are much thinner and lack the bulb found at the base of green onions. Instead, chives produce edible flowers at the top, which are visually appealing but rarely used in cooking and are usually discarded.

Chives Nutritional Benefits

Chives are not only a treat for the eyes and palate, but they’re also packed with valuable nutrients—what more could you want from them? As per the USDA, chives contain vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta carotene, antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of various diseases, according to scientific studies. Chives are also a good source of minerals, including copper. Given the many health benefits associated with fruits and vegetables, it’s no surprise that chives are garnering attention in research. They have been found to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. Some studies even suggest that chives can help alleviate discomfort from a sore throat or sunburn. Additionally, ongoing research indicates that chives may help prevent age-related muscle loss and might offer protection against certain types of cancer. While chives provide some beneficial nutrients and health advantages, they are typically eaten in small amounts, so they are not a major nutrient source. However, incorporating chives into your meals is still a great way to reap their benefits.

Types of Chives

Although most grocery stores offer a single type of chive, there are actually three main varieties worth knowing about.

Common chives

If you head to any supermarket in search of chives, you’ll most likely encounter the common variety. As the most widely available type, common chives are the ones most people think of when they imagine those vibrant green stalks. The scientific name for this chive is Allium schoenoprasum, and it represents the typical chive you’ll find in stores.

Garlic chives

Allium vegetables are often categorized based on their similarity to onions or garlic. Regular chives (also known as common chives) have a delicate onion-like flavor and resemble green onions. But for those who enjoy garlic, garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) offer a more distinct garlic taste. They may look similar to regular chives, but their flavor is bolder. Garlic chives are frequently used in Chinese cuisine, and are sometimes referred to as Chinese chives.

Siberian chives

If you enjoy the flowers that bloom at the top of chives, you’ll likely appreciate Siberian chives (Allium nutans). This variety grows much taller, reaching about two feet in height. Its flowers are also larger, adding a more decorative touch to the plant. The blossoms range in color from purple to blue, which is why Siberian chives are sometimes called blue chives. Despite these differences in appearance, the taste of Siberian and common chives is very similar.

Chives Substitutes

Ever find yourself in the middle of a recipe that calls for chives, only to realize you're out of them? You're not alone. The trick is to swap chives with another allium that you likely have in your kitchen.

Scallions

Although chives and scallions (also known as green onions) are distinct vegetables, they are often mistaken for one another due to their similar appearance and flavor. For this reason, scallions make the ideal substitute for chives. When substituting, simply use the green hollow stems of the scallions.

Onions

Onions play a significant role in the allium family, particularly in relation to chives, which are often noted for their onion-like flavor. While onions have a much stronger, more pungent taste compared to chives, only a small amount is needed to impart a similar flavor profile.

Garlic

Certain varieties of chives have a flavor that’s somewhat reminiscent of garlic. If a recipe calls for garlic chives, which are less common than regular chives, you can substitute them with actual garlic. For a closer match, consider using green garlic, the young, immature version of garlic that resembles a leek or green onion.

Parsley

Parsley serves as an unexpected yet effective substitute for chives, especially when chives are used as a garnish. Simply chop parsley finely, and it will provide a fresh and colorful addition to your dish, much like chives.

How to Cook With Chives

Chives are delicate when exposed to heat, so they don’t always require traditional cooking. This is why chives are often used as garnishes—they retain their flavor best when added toward the end of cooking. If chives are cooked too long, their mild flavor can diminish. For the best result, add them during the last few minutes of cooking or as a garnish after the dish has been removed from heat. Although technically vegetables, chives are frequently treated as herbs in culinary applications. To use chives, try slicing them thinly for a light sprinkle or use herb scissors for convenience. They’re perfect for topping potatoes, eggs, soups, meats, seafood, and more. You can even bake with them—chive biscuits are a classic! Store chives properly, and they can last up to two weeks in the fridge. Place them in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer, or freeze them for longer preservation, though they’re best when fresh.

Chives Recipes

Despite their small size, chives are versatile in the kitchen. Here are some essential recipes to try that feature chives.

Pepper and Chive Biscuits

Chive biscuits are a timeless recipe for incorporating chives into your cooking. These biscuits have the savory appeal of sour cream and onion chips, with a tangy kick from the buttermilk and a subtle onion flavor from the chives. Enjoy them as-is or slather them with softened butter for a perfect appetizer or dinner bread roll.

Cheesy Chive Waffles With Fried Eggs

Savory waffles are not only a reality, but chives can elevate them to a whole new level. This recipe proves just how versatile chives can be in your cooking. They’re incorporated into the waffle batter, then added again as a garnish to finish. Gruyère cheese also enhances the flavor, making this dish a must-try.

Cauliflower Tacos al Pastor

Chives aren’t just for eggs and potatoes—they belong on tacos, too. Specifically, meatless tacos. This cauliflower taco recipe features a distinctive salsa made from avocado, lime juice, chives, water, and salt. While cauliflower is meant to be the highlight of the dish, the chive salsa ends up taking center stage.