A small grass-like perennial plant belonging to the onion family. They are aromatic, hardy, and grow in clumps of slender, onion like tubular leaves with lavender flowers in the spring.
TYPES OF CHIVES
1. Common Chive: Slender bulbs that produce thin, greenish blue tubular leaves that grow edible flowers. The leaves have a mild onion flavor.
2. Garlic Chive: Look very similar to common chives but with flatter green leaves. The leaves of garlic chives produce a mild garlic flavor.
HOW TO USE CHIVES
Chives are great when sprinkled over scrambled eggs, mixed into soups, dips or sauces. You can make compound butter (flavored butter) that mixes chives, herbs and spices to be used when cooking steak, fish, roasted chicken and vegetables. Create infused oils by pureeing chives and oil, heat the mixture, strain then store in the refrigerator.
CHIVES STORAGE
Keep dried chives in an airtight jar similar to all herbs and spices away from heat and moisture. We recommend a spice cabinet that is away from the sink, stove and not facing direct sunlight. When properly stored, dried chives can last up to 3 years but we recommend always checking the best use date.
FLAVORS THAT GO WITH CHIVES:
Chives pair nicely with these herbs and spices. Try them together the next time you're in the kitchen cooking something up for lunch or dinner.
- Parsley: Parsley is mildly flavored and so versatile. Add to pasta, potato or chicken salad. Mix with melted butter and toss with vegetables or potatoes. Try chives and parsley in our Sour Cream And Onion-Spiced Grilled Tornado Potatoes.
- Thyme: Cultures all over the world look to thyme as a great source for its unmistakable, fresh aroma. One of the highest compliments to pay a Greek warrior, for instance, was to say he smelled of thyme. And in the Middle Ages, thyme was used to fend off nightmares. Today, our pure thyme holds its greatest place of honor in the kitchen as one of our most popular herbs.
- Garlic: Dried garlic takes on a mellow, round flavor that elevates recipes both savory and sweet. Garlic is a member of the lily family, native to Central Asia and cousin to leeks, chives, onions and shallots. It’s the most pungent of the lilies, with a strong flavor and aroma. Unless you’re using it to ward off vampires, as people have done since the 1700s, it pays to use allium sativum with a gentle hand. Try garlic and chives in our Bacon And Chive Easy Twice Baked Potatoes.
- Red Pepper: Use our pure red pepper to enliven any dish with vibrant flavor and fiery spice. There’s no better place to turn if you’re looking to add spicy, intense flavor to any dish. You know your crushed red pepper is fresh if it sets your nose tingling when you take that first whiff. It should be a deep red color, with flecks of yellow seeds. Ground red pepper, also called cayenne, started life in the New World as a particularly intense member of the capsicum family of chili peppers. It has since traveled the globe, bringing intense chili heat and vivid red color to every kitchen it enters.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds’ golden color and nutty flavor are perfect for encrusting chicken and fish. Add to Asian stir-fries, rice and noodles. Sprinkle on salads and vegetables.
GRAB YOUR CHIVES PRODUCTS!
AND TRY THESE RECIPES THAT USE CHIVES:
- Fluffy Eggs And Chives
- Sour Cream And Chive Potato Topping
- Season Salmon Cakes
- Bacon & Chive Mashed Potatoes
- "Deconstructed" Spring Roll Salad
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPICES & HERBS
- 5 (Almost) Magical Spice Pairings You Need to Try Right Now
- Tips & Tricks for Organizing Your Spice Cabinet
- How Long Do Spices Last?
- How to Make an Herb Rub Without a Recipe
- Behold the Magic of Compound Butter
- Spring Clean Your Spice Cabinet
TRY SOME OF OUR FAVORITE CUISINES
Want to create a meal plan for your chives recipes? Need help planning your weekly meals and want to try new recipes? Save your favorite food, dessert, drink recipes and organize your ingredients with McCormick Meal Planner.
