6 Excellent Watercress Substitutes

Overview

Another common green that may be found in salads is arugula. It is also known as rucola, rocket, or roquette. Whichever name you give it, it is a very multipurpose vegetable with edible leaves, seeds, and blossoms. Arugula leaves are bite-sized and soft, with a characteristic sour taste and a high concentration of beneficial polyphenols and nitrates.

Advantages

Arugula is a green that has the same mild flavor as watercress and a texture that is close enough to pass for the real thing. Depending on your preferences, you may also use younger or older kinds of arugula. Fully developed leaves have the watercress flavor you’d anticipate, although younger arugula leaves are milder if that’s more to your liking.

Disadvantages

Although arugula is healthful in comparison to many other meals, it falls short as a replacement for watercress. If you want the most nutrients, arugula may not be the greatest choice. Also, the texture differs from that of watercress. Arugula retains its firmness when cooked, while watercress melts with heat.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

Overview

Radish sprouts, as the name suggests, are derived from radishes and have the same delicious flavor as radishes. These sprouts are a kind of root vegetable related to Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli. They are a flexible option that may be incorporated into salads and sandwiches with clover, alfalfa, and broccoli.

Advantages

The modest radish sprout has various benefits, beginning with the fact that it contains vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. These tiny sprouts are also high in nutrients like as calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Radish sprouts have also been demonstrated to contain anti-oxidants that may help prevent some forms of cancer.

Disadvantages

One of the reasons radish sprouts are less popular is because they are not usually present in the vegetable area of your grocery store. This may make them inconvenient, but you can avoid this by buying radish seeds and sprouting them yourself.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

Overview

Spinach is another watercress alternative that is considered a superfood. It is another kind of leafy green that may benefit bone, skin, and hair health. It is high in critical vitamins and minerals, as well as protein, which will help you get through the day. Several civilizations have employed this vegetable throughout history since it can be used in a variety of cuisines and is affordable to purchase or cultivate.

Advantages

Spinach is a nutritious vegetable that supplies around 34% of your daily vitamin C requirement. Spinach also comes in a number of kinds, including savoy spinach, semi-savoy spinach, and flat spinach, giving you a choice of possibilities. It may be eaten raw or cooked and added to a wide variety of meals.

Disadvantages

When it comes to watercress, one thing spinach cannot mimic is the taste. Until you add more components, the flavor is not the same. Adding pepper may assist to generate a taste similar to watercress. It’s also possible to combine spinach and nasturtium leaves for a more watercress-like taste.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

Overview

Endive is a vegetable related to escarole, chicory, frisee, and radicchio. Endives, like its relatives, have a mild bitterness and a crunchy texture that is particularly delicious in salads and sandwiches. Keep in mind that there are three sorts of endives: Belgian endive, curly endive, and broad-leaved endive.

Advantages

This is a substitute that may be eaten raw or cooked and added to a variety of meals. The most frequent kind is Belgian endive, but you may experiment with various varieties according on the meal you’re creating. The curly endive, also known as frisee, has a more bitter flavor and deeper green leaves than the broad-leafed endive, also known as escarole.

Disadvantages

Endives, unlike watercress, have a distinct taste. Endives are better recognized for their bitterness rather than their mild and somewhat spicy taste. Endives might be risky if you want a taste or texture that is extremely comparable to watercress. Each kind of endive has a distinct texture, with some being softer and others being crunchier.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

Overview

You may be shocked to learn that dandelion greens belong to the sunflower plant family, which includes hundreds of thousands of species such as thistles and daisies. These greens are available at many supermarket and health food shops, or you may choose and harvest them yourself. Dandelion greens are best harvested in the spring because they have a mild taste and a soft texture.

Advantages

Dandelion greens are considered a fantastic supplement to the diet due to their high vitamin content. These greens are low in calories yet high in protein, calcium, iron, and other minerals. Dandelions’ greens may be utilized in a variety of cuisines, from salads to soups and casseroles.

Disadvantages

If you use dandelion leaves as a replacement for watercress, keep the age of the leaves in mind. If you want very minimal bitterness, be sure to use fresh leaves. Those looking for more bitterness may choose for older leaves.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

Overview

Kale is a green, leafy vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family. This is a highly popular vegetable that has grown in popularity as a result of its high amounts of minerals, fiber, and vitamins. Although kale was formerly only used as a garnish, it is now found in everything from salad to smoothies and more. Kale comes in a variety of hues, including green, white, pink, and purple.

Advantages

Kale, like many of the other watercress replacements on our list, is very nutritious. It has high levels of vitamin K and B-6, which are not found in many other watercress substitutes. It is also one of the most resilient vegetables in terms of freshness, so you can store it in the fridge and use it again days later without worries. This is also a fairly simple to locate component, which is an added plus.

Disadvantages

While many people appreciate the taste of kale, it is not the same as watercress. If you prefer to eat it raw, the taste will be comparable to cabbage. You should anticipate a harsh taste from cooked kale, but if you like a softer flavor, look for young kale.

Nutritional breakdown

(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)

The Bottom Line

Watercress has grown in popularity in recent years, and it is a versatile component that can be utilized in a wide variety of cuisines. There are several alternatives to this veggie that you might utilize if you find yourself in this circumstance. Although none of them are identical like watercress, several of them are comparable or have a distinct flavor that will stand out in your favorite dishes.

Top vegan picks

Each of the watercress alternatives we’ve mentioned is vegan, so you may use whichever has the taste and texture you want. If you’re searching for a vegan alternative that’s easy to get, consider kale or spinach, which are both accessible at most supermarkets and health food shops. Arugula, which tastes similar to watercress, is another wonderful alternative.

Top healthy picks

Since all of the following replacements are nutritious veggies, you’ll receive a healthy ingredient no matter which you pick. Endive and spinach are low in fat and high in potassium and calcium, whereas dandelion green and kale are high in both. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, though, endive is the way to go since it contains very little salt when used fresh rather than from a can or jar.

Top convenient picks

Several of the watercress replacements are pretty convenient, although they usually need some preparation. For example, kale and arugula can be found almost anyplace, but you may need to perform some cutting or sautéing to get the meal you desire. If you are gathering the greens on your own, dandelions may be the least convenient.

Top convincing picks

If you’re seeking for the most convincing watercress substitute, look for something with the similar flavor and texture. Although none of the options are exact duplicates of watercress, several of them are near. Arugula tastes the most like watercress, while the texture isn’t quite the same. The second best choice is spinach, which is commonly accessible, so you won’t have to go out of your way to get it.

Sources:

8 Leafy Vegetables That May Substitute for Watercress

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