Learning how to cut is a surefire way to improve your ability in the kitchen – and impress your friends! If you’re just beginning, cutting green onions is a great way to practice your knife skills.

You might think an entire blog post on how to cut green onions is an odd choice. But knife skills are the fundamental basics of any good cook and this petite veggie is a great option for practice.

Plus, sliced green onions are a versatile addition to a variety of dishes. They can be used as a garnish or as an extra vegetable incorporated into salads. These are my five easy ways how to cut green onions, varying in complexity and visual aesthetics. 

How to Prepare Green Onions

Take your green onions and wash them under running water to remove any dirt. Pat them dry. Trim and discard the root ends and any dry or discolored parts of the onions. You may also want to peel the top leaves/outer layers. 

How to Cut Green Onions

These are five different ways to cut scallions/green onions, each producing a different size and shape. While preparing your green onions, consider what will suit your particular dish. I also recommend using a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board to cut green onion scallions. Then follow these easy step-by-step instructions.

Tiny Rings

Tiny rings are a great way to add some texture and color to dishes like tacos, sandwiches, and salads. They are also great as a garnish for soups or sauces. 

Thinly slice your green onions crosswise to create small rings. You can slice only the green parts. Keep the white parts for cooking or to regrow the spring onions.

Thick Slices

Better for grilling or roasting, chopped green onions in thick slices will hold up well during cooking. And they will develop a beautiful char or caramelization. This cut is also good for adding texture and crunch to stir-fries or to salads.

For thick slices, cut green onions crosswise into thick slices of around ¼ to ½ inches thick.

Bias Cut

The most aesthetically pleasing cut, these are great for garnishes and add a lot of texture and flavor to your dishes. 

Place your knife at a 45-degree angle and slice the green onions into small pieces.

 

Thin Strips

Otherwise known as the “Julienne” technique, this particular option is best for salads and sandwiches if you want some extra crunch. 

Use your knife to carve thin, long strips out of the green onions. You’ll want a particularly sharp knife for this one – I like using a pairing knife. Be careful with your fingers and go as slow as you need to. 

Curls for Garnish

Before creating this garnish, slice off the white part of the green onions. The white stems can be used for cooking, but they are not useful for making curls.

Stack the green stalks and cut them into a strong bias. With a sharp knife, cut green onions into very thin strips. The longer the bias, the more curl you’ll get. Place slices into a bowl of iced water – this will cause the green onions to curl. 

How to Store Cut Green Onions

Once you know how to cut green onions, the next trick is learning how to store green onions.

Fridge: Place the chopped green stems in an airtight container or plastic bag. They’ll keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

Freezer: Place the chopped green onions in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Freeze the green onions. Cut green onions will keep for up to 12 months.

Tips for the Perfect Chopped Green Onions

Avoid slimy onions and keep your food safe using these tips before cutting and adding green onions to recipes:

• Rinse the onions under cool tap water and remove any wilted or damaged tops or slimy skins.
• Squeeze the excess water out of the green onions and place them on a dry paper towel.
• A very sharp knife should be used when slicing green onions to prevent bruising.

FAQs

More Ingredient Tutorials

• Peel, Slice, Dice, And Chop Onion
• Peel, Cut, Grate, and Mince Ginger
• Crush, Chop, And Mince Garlic
• Dehydrating Green Onions
• Dehydrating Chives
• What’s the Difference Between Green Onions and Chives?

If you try any of these methods for cutting green onions, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!