11 Ways to Use Scallions

Scallions are an unsung kitchen hero that deserves our attention.

Chilled Sesame Soba Bowl with Cucumber and Scallions Recipe
Photo: Eric Wolfinger

Young onions, including scallions, are always a wonderful farmers market find. Milder than their more mature counterparts, they're great cooked or raw as a garnish, a flavoring or a side dish. Here are 11 ways to use this unsung kitchen hero.

Scallion pancakes

Make a version of this Chinese-restaurant classic with pizza dough, or use an eggy batter, much like a Dutch baby.

Scallion sauces

Puree scallions in a vinaigrette or with wine and garlic for a pasta sauce. Or mix chopped scallions with ginger, vinegar, soy sauce, and oil to make a pungent relish for cooked meats.

Grilled scallions

Scallions turn sweet and silky after just a few minutes on the grill. Serve them sliced in a gremolata to accompany short ribs, or cut into two-inch pieces and toss with shrimp and tart green apple for an appetizer.

Grilled Shrimp with Apple and Charred Scallions
© Fredrika Stjärne

Noodles

Cut scallions crosswise to stir-fry with noodle dishes, or slice them a bit thinner and use as a raw garnish.

Chilled Sesame Soba Bowl with Cucumber and Scallions Recipe
Eric Wolfinger

Savory baked goods

Add scallions to cheddar muffins, cornbread, or biscuits to serve alongside stew-y dishes like chili.

Cheddar-Scallion Biscuits
Greg DuPree

Scallion dips

Puree scallions with sour cream, mayonnaise, anchovies, and herbs to make a flavorful green goddess dip. Or char them for guacamole.

Scallion soup

This luxe soup uses a full two pounds of scallions along with mushrooms as the main flavor components. Stir them into a finished chowder or serve as a garnish atop creamy carrot soup.

Creamy Carrot Soup with Scallions and Poppy Seeds
© Frances Janisch

Dumplings

Add scallions to juicy pork dumplings to celebrate the Lunar New Year, or to this tasty version with tofu.

Sandwiches

Scallions are delicious sprinkled on breakfast sandwiches or layered into grilled cheese.

Grilled Cheese with Corn and Calabrian Chile Recipe
Photo by Tara Donne / Food Styling by Chris Lanier / Prop Styling by Raina Kattelson

Salads

Thinly sliced scallions are terrific mixed into salads like this one with spinach and smoked salmon, or use the bulbs in a creamy dressing and then toss the green tops with lettuce.

Eggs

Add scallions to a potato frittata or scrambled eggs.

Scallion Scrambled Eggs with Potato Chips

© Christina Holmes

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles