How to Cut Green Onions (aka Scallions) 3 Different Ways

Green onions (also known as scallions) cram a lot of flavor into a tiny package. The long green allium is very different to its white, yellow, or red onion cousins but just as versatile. Similarly, how to cut green onions is different than the technique for cutting a round onion. Learn the best way to cut scallions into slices or strips for salads, stir fries, or as a garnish on anything from pasta to steak.

How to Prepare Green Onions for Cutting 

As with any vegetable, it's important to prepare green onions properly before cutting them. Shawn Matijevich lead chef-instructor of Online Culinary Arts & Food Operations at the Institute of Culinary Education says to start by washing them, then removing the outer layer if it looks to be brown. This can be done by simply peeling it off. "I also remove the root, but just enough to remove all of the root and keep any usable onion intact," he says. Green onions are much easier to cut when the layers stay together, so you trim off any visible root or stem, but be sure to keep the structural integrity of the onion intact. 

What You Need to Cut Green Onions

Make sure that you have a sharp, clean chef's knife, and a sturdy, durable, nonslip cutting board.

How to Slice Green Onions

Because green onions do have an oniony flavor, cutting them thinly is a great way to make sure you keep the flavor mild and don't overwhelm your dish. Make sure to cut each piece into a uniform shape and size. 

1. After you've removed any browned or wilted layers, lay the green onions together on a cutting board with the whites at one end and the greens at the other end.
2. Cut off any stems or roots from the white end, and cut off any wilted bits from the green end.
3. Continue slicing the scallions crosswise in circles from the whites to the greens.

How to Cut Green Onions on a Bias

When using raw green onions as a garnish, it’s a good idea to opt for a more decorative cut that can help elevate what you’re serving. One easy way to add some dimension is to cut the green onions on a bias rather than in standard circles. Matijevich says that cutting them at a 45-degree angle is an easy option to practice for an attractive garnish.

1. Begin by lining up the green onions in one single layer on your cutting board, running parallel to the shape of the board. 
2. Hold your knife at a 45-degree angle from your cutting board and begin to slice, remembering to make uniform cuts that keep each piece in a similar shape and size. 

How to Cut Green Onions Into Long Strips

When serving a salad, pasta, or steak, scallions that are cut into long, thin strips can make a striking garnish. When cut this way, green onions begin to curl a bit, which makes for an elegant presentation no matter what they're garnishing. 

1. To cut green onions into long strips, start by cutting off the green end and removing the white ends and save them for another use. 
2. Next, cut the green portion of the green onion in half crosswise, so you’re left with 2-inch pieces. 
3. Cut the green onion in half lengthwise so you’re left with four long, semicircle pieces.
4. Cutting lengthwise, slice the green onion into thin strips and separate the layers. 

Prepping Green Onions in Advance

It's always best to cut any vegetable or herb as close as possible to when you plan to use it, but cut green onions can last for a few days in the refrigerator (when stored properly). For best results, Matijevich recommends storing them in an airtight container or freezer bag with a damp paper towel. To keep them as crisp as possible, Matijevich says you can also store them submerged in ice-cold water until you're ready to use them.