They have a much milder flavor than mature onions, but they still add a nice little kick to many dishes.
If you find yourself without spring onions on hand when you’re following a recipe, there’s no need to worry!
There are lots of things that work in place of spring onions that will provide your dish with that powerful punch that the spring onion would usually provide.
In this article, we have compiled a useful list of 6 possible substitutes for spring onions. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in!
What Is A Spring Onion?
Spring onions are a member of the onion family that are harvested before the bulbs are fully developed. At this stage, the leaves are green.
Spring onions are very mild in flavor in comparison to other onions. They can be eaten raw and they can also be cooked.
There are two parts of a spring onion: the small bulb and the green leaves. You should use both of these parts as they contain different flavors.
Best Substitutes For Spring Onions
1. Chives
Chives are the closest thing that you can get to spring onion if you don’t have any on hand. They can be eaten fresh or dried out.
Chives have a very mild flavor in comparison to lots of other types of onion. They are perfect for adding to soups and salads. They are versatile and work as a tasty addition to many other types of onion!
They even have the same characteristics as spring onions, making it even easier to use them as a substitute.
Like spring onions, chives will lose their flavor if they are cooked for too long. For this reason, it is much better to add them to the dish toward the end of the cooking process.
Chives are also often used to make butter that is used to season potatoes and steak.
So, if you’re looking for a tasty ingredient to spice up your cooking, or you don’t have any spring onions on hand to add to your dish, chives are a great alternative!
2. Shallots
Shallots are a very popular type of onion. They are known for having a mild and sweet flavor! They have very thin and papery skin and they become golden and sweet when they are cooked.
Lots of people add shallots to their dishes before serving for some extra flavor.
For this reason, they are very good to use as a replacement for spring onions. They add excellent flavor to the dishes without overpowering any of the other ingredients in the dish.
They can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In the sweet dishes, they will be caramelized with sugar to encourage a deep and rich flavor. In savory dishes, they add fantastic depth and flavors.
3. Red Onions
Red onions also make a great substitute for spring onions. They are from the onion family, and they can be used raw or cooked.
When raw, they will create the same effect in salads as spring onions do.
You are likely to have red onions in the cupboards, so they are often used as a substitute for other vegetables in the onion family.
In comparison to white onions, red onions have a much more mild flavor, making them more similar to spring onions than white onions.
Red onions have very similar nutritional value to spring onions, making them a great substitute in this way, too. One red onion contains around 40 calories and 1.1 grams of protein.
4. White Onions
White onions are also a good substitute for spring onions. They can add both depth and flavor to the dishes.
They can replace spring onions in stews and soups but they are not commonly eaten raw so they don’t often replace spring onions in salads.
Onions are very versatile, and they can be cooked in lots of different ways. They work very well as a topping for burgers.
You can also caramelize onions by cooking them with some sugar and water. This creates a very unique flavor that works very well with things like roast chicken.
5. Leeks
Leeks have a mild and sweet flavor that is quite similar to spring onions. Like spring onions, they are often used to flavor soups.
It is important that you cut off the root of the leek before putting them in any dish as they will not taste very nice. It is the dark green leaves of the leek that you want!
You should also be careful not to overcook your leeks as the texture is not as nice when they are cooked for too long. When overcooked, they can be very mushy.
Leeks have similar nutritional value to spring onions, making them a perfect substitute in that way, too.
6. Onion Seasoning
Onion seasoning comes in the form of a powder and it is very easy to use in your cooking. It gives a very rich flavor without the bite that sometimes comes with using fresh onions.
As it is made from dehydrated and ground onions, it is very popular. It saves you from chopping up your onions, while still providing the dish with a great flavor.
If you don’t have any of the above substitutes in the house, this is a great alternative.
It is best to use this seasoning at the beginning of the process because, unlike some of the onions on the list, the flavor of the seasoning will develop over time rather than lose flavor.
When you are adding this seasoning, you really won’t need a lot! A little bit of this powder has a very strong flavor, so you will only need to add a small amount.
Taste the dish as you add it to get the correct amount of flavor.
If you are using onion powder in place of spring onions, simply add it to the dish in its place. It will give your dish a similar flavor. This powder works particularly well in soups.
What Are The Benefits Of Spring Onions?
Spring onions have many different health benefits as they are filled with lots of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Reduce Cancer Risk
Spring Onions contain Sulphur which is very good for your health. The compounds in Sulfur help to prevent cancer and fight off the enzymes that produce cancer cells.
Aids Digestion
Spring onions are very rich in fiber which makes them very good at aiding your digestion.
They are great for your digestive system when they are eaten alongside other vegetables for a healthy and balanced diet!
Promotes Healthy Vision
Spring onions are very good for your vision. They contain lots of vitamin A which promotes strong vision.
Prevents The Common Cold
As spring onions contain antiviral and antibacterial properties, they are great for fighting the common cold and flu. They will boost your immune system, allowing you to fight off these illnesses more easily.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. If you need spring onions for a recipe but you don’t have any to hand, this article has provided you with 6 alternatives!
It is likely that you will have one of these available to add to your dish to provide it with the delicious flavor and nutritious value that the spring onions would have provided.
Now that you have read this article, you will have no problem when it comes to spring onion substitutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can You Use Spring Onions For?
You can use spring onions in various dishes. They work very well in salads, soups, and stir-fries. You should always make sure that you choose spring onions that have crisp, green leaves. Avoid spring onions with wilted leaves or any that have soft spots on the bulbs.
How Should You Store Spring Onions?
You can store spring onions in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They will keep for longer if you place them in a plastic bag.
What Is The Best Substitute For Spring Onions?
The best substitute for spring onions is chives. They have a very similar flavor to spring onions and a large number of the same nutritional value.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
