Scallions, also referred to as green onions, are a versatile and well-liked vegetable often utilized for enhancing the flavor and visual appeal of various dishes. They present a sweet, crispy, and mild taste, differing from the spring onions which have a more robust and spicy flavor.
The green onion variety makes a fun garnish and provides a flavor boost for tacos, salads, stir-fries, sandwiches, and more. You can also enjoy your green onions in cooked dishes such as pork chops, soups, and other delicacies.
Wondering how to slice green onions? This article will provide you step by step instructions on how to cut green onions.
How to Identify and Pick the Best Scallions?
The first step to enjoying green garlic is picking the best and freshes scallions. When grocery shopping, always choose a bunch of green onions with firm, undamaged stalks with crisp leaves with a bright green color. Avoid those that look droopy or wilted.
Prep and Wash the Green Onions
If you got your green onions from the farmer’s market, they may still have a bit of dirt on them. So once home, inspect the green onions for any dead or wilted dead outer leaves and remove them.
Next, wash the green garlic thoroughly under cold water, making sure to check the crevices.
Green onions bought at the grocery store are less likely to have soil but should still be properly cleaned just the same. While at it, strip away any damaged or rotten outer leaves from the green stems. Gently wash off any remaining dirt around the white part or between the leaves and stems.
Trim the Scallion
Note that the entire green onion plant is edible. However, most people prefer to trim and discard the green tops and roots. Instead, line the green onions horizontally on your chopping board.
To trim your green onion, simply start by cutting off any dead or withered edges on the ends of your green onions. You do not need to cut the root ends since you will simply slice all the way down the stalk until you reach them. You can use the trimmings for compost afterward. note that you can use the root ends to grow your own green onions.
Slicing Green Onions
When it comes to cutting green onions, it is best not to chop them since the downward pressure that comes with chopping may bruise or crush their delicate leaves. Instead, green onions should be sliced using the entire length of the blade of a sharp chef’s knife.
Use a sharp knife to cut the green onions into your desired shapes and length. If you are using it for sushi and ramen, you’ll want to do long, verticle slices. If you’re using it as a garnish, you’ll want thin slices.
What you’ll need
- Green onions/scallions
- Sharp knife
- cutting board
Different Types of Green Onion Cuts
There are many different ways to slice green onions. The best cut will depend on your recipe. Here are the basic knife skills you need to cut green onions.
Rounds or Circular Cuts
This is the simplest way to cut green onion. This cut produces small ring-like shapes of scallions. This type of slice is normally used in many green onion recipes, from fried and sauteed foods to soups and grilled meats.
If your recipe calls for round cuts, start by:
- Lay a few scallions in a single layer on a chopping board.
- Use your non-dominant hand to hold the onions in place. Keep your fingers curled with the tips holding the green stalks.
- Use the dominant hand to slice through the scallions in a rocking motion back and forth. Make sure not to press down on the scallions to prevent crushing them.
- Cut thick or thin slices according to your preference.
- Move your fingers backward between slices until you are at the end. Reserve the white part for later use or if your recipe calls for it, slice it up as well.
Shredded or Curled Cuts
This type of cut is ideal for salads and garnishes. Because the slices are so fine, curled green onions have a less intense flavor than other cuts. Cutting green onions into shredded or curled cuts provides a super-fast way to make a fun garnish. these bright green shreds can be sprinkled on lots of food to brighten both their flavor and appearance.
Step 1: Trim of Roots
The first step is to cut off the root ends of your green onions. Next, separate the green leaves from the light green and white bulb ends of the onions. you can reserve the bulb ends for another use
Step 2: Cut the Scallions Lengthwise
Working with one tubular leaf at a time, use a large chef’s knife to cut green onions lengthwise, or rather julienne style, into very thin shreds that are about 3-5 inches long. Ensure your knife is slightly parallel to the green onions. You can cut the scallions as thick or as thin as you like.
Step 3: Ice the Shredded Onions
place the onion curls in a bowl and add enough ice cubes to completely immerse the onions. You will see the shreds curl within 10 to 15 minutes. Once they’ve curled to your liking, drain the water. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
Step 4: Store Green Onions
Use the green onion curls immediately or wrap them in a paper towel, and place them in a plastic bag or an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. The scallion curls should be good for 2-3 days.
How to Cut Green Onion on the 45 Degree -bias Slice?
For a more dramatic elongated look, you can cut scallions on the bias. This cut provides a more fun and decorative cut. Simply angle the onions to slice at a slight diagonal angle. When making garlic noodles, you can use the bias cut on your green onions.
- Start by slicing off the roots of each of your green onions.
- Next, place the tip of the blade against the surface of the cutting board at a 45-degree angle.
- Cut green onions diagonally to make angled cuts.
To maintain the crispy, fresh texture of sliced green garlic, soak them in a bowl of ice water immediately after cutting. Pat dry with paper towels before using.
Scallion Brushes
This type of green onion slice is common at most Chinese restaurants and is usually served with a bowl of hoisin sauce. The cute little scallion brushes are to be used to paint the sauce onto your pancakes. To make these little green onion brushes at home:
- Place the onions on a cutting board and trim off the root end as close as you can to the base.
- Trim them down to about 2.5 inches long.
- Hold the scallions steady against the board and place your knife parallel to the scallions.
- Place the tip of your knife about an inch up from the cut side. cut through to split the end on the scallion in half.
- Repeat the process of rotating the scallion a few times to make four cuts, which divide the scallion end into 8 individual sections to make a brush.
- Transfer the brushes to a bowl of ice water to firm up and curl.
- Place them in the fridge for about 30 minutes overnight to firm them up and curl.
Once you’ve learned how to cut green onion, you are ready to add them to your favorite recipes.
How to Store Chopped Green Onions?
Refrigerate Green Onions
To save on time, you can pre-chop green onions to use while preparing future meals. To store green onions, fill an air-tight container like a mason jaw with the sliced green onions and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze Green Onions
Place the green onions on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until frozen for long-term storage. Then, put the frozen scallions in a freezer-safe bag and put them back in the freezer.
How to Store Whole Green Onions?
For whole green onions that have not been cut, use any of these storage methods:
Storage Method 1: Place 1 bunch of green onions in a glass jar like a bunch of flowers and pour in a few inches of water. Cover them with silicon or plastic bag. ensure to change out the water every 3-5 days.
Storage Method 2: Roll the stalks in a clean damp paper towel and put them in a plastic or silicon bag. put in the refrigerator.