The Top 10 Watercress Substitutes

Watercress is a tasty and healthful green that may be used in a variety of dishes. It has an amazing flavor that adds a new flavor aspect to your dish and is also high in vitamins and minerals.

However, watercress is not found growing wild in every grocery store, so if you like eating this leafy green, you may have to find an alternative.

You may always use Nasturtium leaves, lettuce, Chinese cabbage, dandelion green, purslane, radicchio, spinach, arugula, and cabbage as watercress alternatives. Any of these solutions will satisfy your need for watercress dishes.

Let’s take a brief look at how you may substitute them for watercress in your recipes!

What Is Watercress?

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable that is available all year and has a gently peppery flavor.

It is often used in salads and sandwiches, and it may also be added to soups. Watercress is also strong in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, which is thought to help prevent a variety of ailments.

Watercress initially gained popularity in the United States when it was consumed by pioneers who lacked access to other leafy greens.

Watercress, in addition to being a strong source of vitamins, also includes calcium and iron. As a result, it is a fantastic meal option for vegetarians who do not consume dairy or animal products.

Best Watercress Substitutes

1. Chinese Cabbage

Tired of getting your watercress wet? We too.

That’s why we’re here to help you navigate the world of Chinese cabbage. Chinese cabbage is unquestionably superior than watercress. Chinese cabbage is an excellent option for watercress if you want a crisp, succulent leaf with no harsh aftertaste.

It is delicious in stir fried, pickled, soups and stews, and even as a wrap. It’s also healthful! You can never go wrong with Chinese cabbage as a replacement for watercress. Also, it is more widely available in stores across the globe than watercress.

It’s also less expensive than watercress, so you won’t have to spend more money on something you can obtain elsewhere for less money.

And if you like kimchi, a popular Korean dish made from fermented vegetables, you probably already enjoy Chinese cabbage with your favorite cuisine!

2. Dandelion Green

Every child grows up despising dandelions. Then we discover it’s one of the world’s healthiest green veggies. It’s also a good watercress substitution if you want something that’s simple to get and has a milder taste.

You can even acquire them in bulk at farmers markets at a reasonable price. Apart from that, it is a nutritious powerhouse.

One cup of this tasty leafy green has a lot of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin E, and folate.

3. Nasturtium Leaves

Another leafy green that may be used is nasturtium leaf. The texture and size of watercress varies from those of Nasturtium.

Watercress is tiny and delicate. Nasturtium, on the other hand, is bigger and has thicker stems that may be cooked with the leaves like any other green vegetable.

Never judge a book by its cover, even if it seems appealing at first. You could overlook your blessing.

4. Lettuce

There is no greater ingredient for salads than lettuce. Moreover, you have a plethora of lettuce varieties to pick from.

You may use iceberg lettuce, butterhead lettuce, Batavia lettuce, Lactuca lettuce, celtuce, and other varieties. Surprisingly, you can never go wrong with any of them. All of these are low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients.

Lettuce is most often associated with salads and sandwiches, although it may also be found on pizza, burgers, spring rolls, green beans, garden peas, and seafood such as prawns and shrimp.

It is not as good as watercress in soups and stews, but it may be used in stir-fry recipes with a quick cooking time. Yet, if you want something low in calories but high in nutrients, lettuce is the obvious victor.

5. Spinach

Popeye was correct: spinach is a superfood. You should acquire some if you don’t have any in your fridge. It’s pock-friendly and easy to get fresh at grocery shops or farmers markets. It is very simple to prepare and has high nutritional value.

Spinach leaves may range in size from little to enormous, so don’t get them mixed up. The mild flavor may be simply added to various foods without significantly affecting the taste, whether tiny or large. This superfood may be used to substitute watercress in any side dish, salad, or smoothie.

Not only that, but spinach may assist enhance your health by delivering critical vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, folate, selenium, and others.

6. Water Spinach

To begin, you need understand that water, spinach, and Spinach are not the same greens. These are, however, both healthful alternatives to watercress.

Water spinach is delicious and crisp when cooked correctly. It is wonderful as a snack, salad, soup, or cooked and combined with other vegetables.

Most homeowners deep-fry it, which improves the flavor. Water spinach also contains more iron and vitamin C than watercress and has less calories.

7. Radicchio

Radicchio and watercress are two veggies that most people like. Both have a bitter flavor and may be eaten raw or cooked. Watercress is one of the greatest greens for preparing smoothies and drinks.

Radicchio, on the other hand, is more crisp when eaten raw. It has a taste that is earthy with just the appropriate amount of bitterness.

Radicchio may be used in salads, but it’s also delicious as a pizza topping or as a lettuce alternative in sandwiches. It doesn’t mean you can’t substitute watercress.

8. Purslane

If you can’t get watercress, try purslane as a nutritious green to include in your diet. These greens are well-known for their high protein, vitamin, and antioxidant content.

You’ll receive the same delectable taste profile as watercress, and you can use it in salads, omelets, sandwiches, bruschetta, and pizza, to name a few applications.

Purslane is the greatest, most underappreciated veggie that grows wild along the roadside! It’s succulent, tasty, adaptable, and reasonably priced.

9. Arugula

When you hear the name arugula, you may think of a pricey vegetable available exclusively at a farmers market. Nonetheless, arugula is found worldwide, and many other names simply refer to it. Arugula and watercress have comparable properties, although they are not identical.

Arugula is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery flavor and a somewhat bitter taste, similar to watercress. It may also be used in salads, as a garnish on foods such as pizza or pasta, or cooked with other vegetables.

Nonetheless, you should avoid eating it raw unless you are certain it is safe. Some individuals may get stomach distress if they eat them directly from the garden without first preparing them!

10. Cabbage

Don’t worry if you can’t locate your watercress! Cabbage is an excellent replacement. Simply grab some and you’re ready to go!

Watercress isn’t as common or inexpensive as cabbage, so if you’re searching for a cheap and easy-to-find green vegetable, opt for cabbage! Cabbage is not only cheap, but also easy to care for, diverse, and tasty.

Like watercress, you may enjoy its sharpness in salads in the summer and add it into soups in the winter. It’s one of those veggies that you can always depend on to be there when you need it and never disappoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To summarize, watercress is one of those unusual foods that requires a certain mindset to appreciate.

It is popular as a sandwich topper and in salads. Besides from that, you may use them in a variety of dishes. But, watercress is not always simple to get at your local store, and it is not always easy to grow.

Hence, for both impatient chefs and those who may not have everyday access to clean watercress, watercress replacements come in handy.