By leah jones
Watercress is a dark, leafy green vegetable that grows in aquatic environments. It is a nutritious ingredient native to Eurasia, but popular around the world.
Watercress is known for its peppery, slightly spicy flavor. It has a crisp, tender texture when fresh. The leaves are small, roundish and dark green with thin, crunchy stems.
If you can't find watercress or prefer an alternative, here are some substitutes that offer similar flavors or textures.
Arugula has a similar peppery and slightly bitter flavor as watercress, though it can be spicier. They differ in appearance but flavor-wise, arugula and watercress are alike.
This option works well in salads, sandwiches and as a garnish, much like watercress. It’s one of the best substitutes due to its flavor profile.
Spinach is mild and slightly sweet compared to watercress, but it has a similar texture. You can mimic the taste of watercress by adding extra black pepper.
Spinach is an excellent watercress substitute for salads, sautéing and smoothies. It is a softer vegetable but can add the same leafy bulk to dishes.
Radish sprouts belong to the same genus as watercress so they look and taste similar. Radish sprouts can add more of a bitterness not present in watercress.
They're great for adding a similar peppery kick to salads, sandwiches and garnishes.
Mustard greens come from the mustard family and have a strong flavor with that similar peppery heat like watercress.
This watercress substitute can be used raw in salads or lightly sautéed in dishes. Mustard greens are heartier, so they may need to be cooked for certain recipes.
Endive is a good watercress substitute with its mild bitterness and crisp texture. However, it is not as peppery as watercress.
Endive is good for salads or as a garnish, especially where you need crispness with a touch of bitterness.
These substitutes are often easier to find in grocery stores.