The 11 Best Arugula Substitutes

Whether you know them as arugula or arugula leaves. There is no denying how delicious and powerful this ingredient is.

Arugula is so versatile that you’ll find it in many cuisines and in a number of different dishes.

Due to its peppery flavor, it is commonly used in salads, burgers, garnishes, and much more. However, what makes this ingredient so great may also be why others feel rejected by it.

Arugula has a strong flavor profile. It can be spicy, sour and slightly bitter. Although it is not considered an acquired taste, most people need to get used to it before accepting this leafy green.

It is understandable that you want to do without arugula if its flavor is not appealing to you or you find it excessive. You may also want to substitute this leafy vegetable if you don’t have it on hand.

So what are the best substitutes for arugula?  There are many leafy greens that can substitute for arugula, including spinach, kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, endive, basil, and radicchio. The main reason people often substitute arugula is because of its over-the-top, spicy flavor.

If you want to know more about the different substitutes for arugula, we recommend that you continue reading to find out more.

rocket leaves

Arugula goes by many names. It is an edible plant of the Brassicaceae family. Arugula is prized for its distinctive spicy and sour flavor.

The plant is also known to have bitter undertones that become more prominent as the plant ages.

Rocket leaves are used in salads, pizzas, and can even pair well with many meat dishes . They are not served in abundance due to their strong flavor and are mostly used as a conscious culinary option.

For example, most upscale burger joints use arugula for its unique peppery flavor to complement meat-based recipes.

Similarly, arugula can also be broken up and cut into pieces for salads and as a seasoning.

Its acid and spicy flavor is also very useful for flavoring stews and broths. However, this leafy vegetable is often used raw in various recipes.

This leafy vegetable is used wisely in dishes. Too much can be excessive, while too little will not provide its characteristic peppery flavor. But the right amount will bring out the best in any dish.

For example, arugula is widely used on pizzas and is considered a key ingredient in many soups and salads.

If you’re looking for the best arugula substitute, check out our list below!

1. Spinach

This leafy green vegetable has all the nutritional benefits, but none of the pepper. This is why spinach is considered a great energy food for many people. It’s great in salads and can also substitute for arugula in some dishes.

One thing to keep in mind is that spinach has a much milder flavor than arugula. It is not sharp or bitter, but it adds a satisfying flavor and texture to many dishes.

If arugula is not the main ingredient in your recipe, spinach will easily substitute for it.

You can also modify the flavor of this leafy vegetable by adding some herbs. In some Asian dishes, spinach is also fried and cooked with spices for a unique curry.

It’s healthy, versatile, and easy to come by, so we recommend trying it instead of arugula.

Also, baby spinach is another great option to consider if you want more flavor and presentation points for your dish.

2. Kale

A close cousin to cabbage, kale is perhaps one of the most popular leafy vegetables in the world. It is easy to get and can be prepared in many ways.

Kale shares a similar flavor profile to cabbage. Although it doesn’t have the sour or spicy flavor of arugula, it does have a slightly milder flavor.

Not to mention that it has a much better and scientifically studied nutritional profile.

Kale also offers a bit of crunch and can easily substitute for arugula in recipes where arugula leaves aren’t the main attraction. Also, if you’re new to the world of leafy greens, we highly recommend starting here before moving on to arugula.

3. Cabbage

Speaking of crunch, if you’re looking for texture and flavor, we highly recommend trying the cabbage instead of the arugula.

Although this leafy vegetable does not have the same flavor profile, it is great in many dishes. It can be boiled, sautéed, fried and much more.

If you don’t like the overdone flavor of arugula leaves, we think cabbage will do the job amazingly well. It has a very accessible flavor, with a slight bitterness that depends on the age of the vegetable. 

Cabbage goes well with many savory and salad recipes. You can also add some herbs and spices to modify the flavor of this amazing leafy green. Mix it into salads or add it to your burger. It will be a great addition to all meals!

4. Watercress

If you want a similar tasting ingredient, watercress will fit the bill. This leafy vegetable is readily available in many grocery stores and can also provide the same bitterness and spiciness that arugula is famous for.

Although watercress can be slightly more bitter than arugula, it is an excellent substitute for its spicy and peppery flavor.

This leafy vegetable is so similar to arugula leaves that you may not even notice the difference when you substitute the arugula for the watercress.

Like arugula, watercress should also be used as a culinary option due to its over-the-top flavor, as it can greatly enhance or change the flavor profile of your dish, so be careful how much leafy greens you add. to your recipe.

5. Indian cress

This leafy green vegetable is nothing like arugula, and yet it tastes very similar.

If you don’t like the bitterness of watercress, Indian watercress offers the same flavor profile without the bitterness. This ingredient is famous for its use in the culinary world and every part of this plant is considered edible.

It has a more rounded appearance that differentiates it from arugula leaves, but it has the same spicy, peppery flavor that you’d find in arugula.

Use them in salads, meat dishes, and more to get the same kind of flavor you’d expect from arugula leaves.

6. Dandelion Leaves

This is another great substitute for arugula. These leafy greens are high in nutritional value and are considered a great substitute for arugula thanks to their similar appearance.

Dandelion greens have a milder flavor than arugula, but they can spice up any dish.

Whether it’s salads, soups or sandwiches, dandelion greens make a wonderful substitute for arugula leaves.

There are many varieties, but they all share the same flavor profile. They’re great for presentation and can also be added to a number of burgers.

7. endive

The best description of this leafy vegetable is that it has a flavor profile similar to that of cabbage. Although it doesn’t have the same spicy flavor as arugula, you can easily substitute it in many recipes, especially soups.

Escarole has a mild, slightly bitter flavor compared to arugula leaves, but it can add a lot of nutritional value, crunch, and flavor to any dish.

Furthermore, this ingredient can retain many flavors even when boiled and stewed, making it indispensable in many soups and broths.

Additionally, cooking endives can make them less bitter, so you can also alter and control the flavors this ingredient offers by cooking it properly.

8. Chicory

This leafy vegetable is nothing like arugula because of its distinctive red and white color, but it can add a lot of flavor and presentation points to your plate.

Although radicchio doesn’t have the same pungent, peppery flavor, it does have more or less the same bitterness along with an attractive earthiness.

Chicory tastes great in soups and salads and can also add a bit of crunch to your sandwiches and burgers.

You can also cook this vegetable to make it even more delicious. Chicory can be eaten both raw and cooked, but we recommend using it raw for a flavor profile somewhat similar to arugula.

9. Romaine lettuce

It’s no secret that romaine lettuce adds flavor and texture to whatever type of dish it’s in. It’s great in salads, soups, and even on pizza.

Romaine lettuce is perhaps the most versatile ingredient on our list for its taste and appearance.

Although it doesn’t have the relatively mushy texture of arugula, it’s still a worthy contender, especially if you want to substitute the arugula leaves.

It can be cooked or eaten raw. It adds a bit of a rounded, bitter, earthy flavor, and can work really well on a lot of things.

We recommend trying romaine lettuce in salads and sandwiches, as it doesn’t add the same peppery flavor, but you can easily alter its flavor by adding spices and herbs.

10. Basil

We know, this can be considered cheating.

Basil is not a leafy vegetable, but rather an herb, and a very tasty one at that! Fresh basil can substitute for arugula in some recipes, such as soups and salads, but it must be used with great care due to its prominent flavor.

As a general rule of thumb, if your recipe calls for plenty of arugula, you shouldn’t use basil because of its excessive flavor.

Instead, try using basil as a substitute for arugula in dishes where it is not the main ingredient and you will see the difference.

It’s a much better substitute for its accessible and familiar flavor profile. Just remember to use this herb in moderation because it can greatly affect the flavor of your dish if used in large amounts.

11. Endive

Escarole has a very fresh flavor with a subtle hint of bitterness that may be perfect for those who don’t enjoy the comparatively more bitter taste of arugula.

This green leafy vegetable is great in soups, sandwiches, and can also be added to the plate for presentation.

It can be both cooked and eaten raw. We recommend soaking it in fresh water and then placing it on your sandwich, burger, or salad. It has a very satisfying texture and works wonderfully in wrappers.

The slightly crunchy, earthy flavor will complement many dishes and we have a feeling people will want to try a milder version of the arugula first before jumping right into the arugula leaves.

Conclution

Now that you know the best arugula substitutes, we’re looking forward to enjoying them and adding a different touch to your recipes!

Arugula is a large leafy green that is well known in kitchens around the world. Its unmistakable peppery flavor is the reason why so many people enjoy it, especially vegetarians.

However, not everyone is a fan of arugula leaves, so knowing about these substitutes will come in handy, especially if you don’t like arugula or don’t have it on hand.

In the end, it all comes down to your taste and culinary preferences.

For example, if you want a less potent leafy vegetable or if you want a similar ingredient that can also take the heat without losing its flavor profile, then some of our substitutes will suit all your needs.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over the best arugula substitutes, let’s take a look at some questions related to the topic!

Are rocket leaves and arugula the same?

Yes they are. Arugula goes by many names. It is usually called “arugula”, “eruca”, “rucoli”, “arugula”, etc. All of these names refer to the same leafy vegetable that belongs to the Brassicaceae family of plants.

Arugula is commonly referred to as arugula leaves in many recipes and you’ll likely find the word “arugula” and “arugula” used interchangeably in different restaurants around the world.

Can arugula be substituted in soups?

Yes. Arugula can easily be substituted in soups and salads . This ingredient is bitter and has a spicy taste.

Many leafy greens offer more or less the same flavor profile as arugula, and are arguably better in some cases where you need to cook the leaves in hot water.

Typically, cooking in boiling water can lessen the flavor and impact of leafy greens, but many other substitutes can offer the same flavor without the added compromises. Check out our list above to find out more.

Can arugula be cooked?

Yes, you can cook arugula , but you would have to consider a few things like texture and flavor to see if it’s worth it for you.

Arugula can become slimy in texture and may lose its unique flavor when cooked. That is why this green leaf is enjoyed raw in many dishes.

Can cabbage replace arugula?

Yes, cabbage can substitute for arugula , as long as the recipe doesn’t call for a lot of arugula to begin with. Arugula leaves have a distinct and excessive flavor.

Although you won’t find the same flavors in arugula, you can add spices and herbs to make it taste similar.

Is arugula a healthy green leafy vegetable?

Yes, arugula is high in antioxidants and has a higher calcium profile than many vegetables in the same category.

It is considered a healthy choice among diet-conscious people and can also be added to sandwiches and burgers to make them more nutritious.

Arugula is also rich in vitamins K and A, which help the body maintain healthy bones and a strong immune system.