Your Garlic Bread Deserves A More Flavorful Garnish Than Parsley

A crispy roll topped with butter and garlic? It doesn't get much better than garlic bread, folks. For centuries, this simple and easy-to-prepare recipe has been a worldwide favorite. And when it comes to the finishing touches on this dish, there's one flavorful garlic bread garnish that's a bit unexpected, but stands out above the rest.

Believe it or not, you might be doing a disservice to the delicious taste of garlic bread by garnishing with a standard, and (let's be honest) bland herb. Sure, parsley can add a nice touch of color, but in terms of adding flavor? It doesn't do much. So, it's time to put down the parsley and grab some green onions for your next garlic bread topping. While may seem a tad untraditional, this simple garnish has the power to take your garlic bread to the next level in terms of taste, texture, and even presentation.

Why green onions are a better garnish than parsley

While adding a sprinkle of green onion on top of your garlic bread can seem a bit out there, it's really not as whacky as you might think. First and foremost, garlic and green onions are very similar in a lot of ways since they both stem from the Allium family, along with shallots, leeks, and other types of onions. Think of them as cousins: Unique in their own way, but still cut from the same cloth. Green onions are a bit milder than garlic, but when paired together, their flavors complement each other harmoniously.

Speaking of flavor, green onions, otherwise known as scallions, can introduce a tangy zing of freshness to your garlic bread. Garlic bread is often rich and buttery, so the addition of green onions can introduce a refreshing contrast. The mild, fresh taste cuts through the heaviness of the garlic and butter, balancing the overall flavor profile. This combination of flavors can make every bite of garlic bread more dynamic and, ultimately, satisfying.

Additionally, adding green onions to your garlic bread can introduce a new, refreshing texture to the dish. Since garlic bread is often crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions on top can introduce a crisp element that enhances the overall texture of the dish; the contrast between the crispy, buttery bread and the fresh texture of the scallions can create an exciting experience for the palate.

Finally, green onion can also enhance the presentation of your garlic bread. Green onions are known for their vibrant green appearance, which can stand out on top of the golden colors of the dish. While, yes, herbs like parsley can add some color to the dish, it often blends in and lacks the vibrant effect that green onions provide. And sometimes, a dynamic presentation is all you need to make the whole crowd go back for seconds.