Out of Arugula, one case
Arugula substitute for salad
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Watercress
Same amount as the arugula
The best arugula substitutes for salad are watercress (1:1 ratio) for similar peppery flavor, baby spinach (1:1 ratio) for mild flavor, or dandelion greens (1:1 ratio) for bitter notes. Watercress is the closest match to arugula's distinctive taste.
- Best for —
- mixed green salads
One casethe full arugula card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of arugula |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watercressmixed green salads | Same amount |
| 2 | Baby spinachmixed green salads | Same amount |
| 3 | Dandelion greensbold salads | Same amount |
| 4 | MizunaAsian-inspired salads | Same amount |
| 5 | Radicchiobold salads | Same amount |
| 6 | Kalehearty salads | Same amount |
Watercress
identical peppery flavor
Peppery, leafy green with almost identical flavor and texture to arugula
- Best for
- mixed green salads, garnish salads, sandwich salads, grain bowls
- Texture
- identical tender leaves
- Salad tips
- Use exactly like arugula - no adjustments needed. Pairs well with citrus, nuts, and cheese.
Nearly identical to arugula in both flavor and texture. Good substitute for most salad applications.
Baby spinach
mild and sweet
Mild, tender leafy green with similar texture but much milder flavor
- Best for
- mixed green salads, sandwich salads, grain bowls, sensitive palates
- Texture
- similar tender leaves
- Salad tips
- Add extra herbs or spices to compensate for milder flavor. Works well with strong dressings.
Much milder than arugula but similar tender texture. Good for people who don't like spicy greens.
Dandelion greens
bitter with peppery notes
Bitter, leafy green with similar peppery notes but more intense flavor
- Best for
- bold salads, bitter green mixes, Mediterranean salads, grain bowls
- Texture
- similar tender leaves
- Salad tips
- Balance bitterness with sweet ingredients like fruit or honey in dressings.
More bitter than arugula but similar peppery undertones. Good for bold salad combinations.
Mizuna
similar peppery flavor
Japanese leafy green with similar peppery flavor and delicate texture
- Best for
- Asian-inspired salads, mixed green salads, grain bowls, garnish salads
- Texture
- similar delicate leaves
- Salad tips
- Use exactly like arugula. Pairs especially well with Asian dressings and ingredients.
Very similar to arugula in flavor and texture. Excellent for Asian and fusion salads.
Radicchio
bitter with peppery undertones
Bitter, crunchy leafy green with similar peppery undertones
- Best for
- bold salads, bitter green mixes, Mediterranean salads, texture contrast
- Texture
- crunchy and firm
- Salad tips
- Use sparingly due to strong flavor. Great for adding crunch and color contrast.
More bitter and crunchy than arugula but similar peppery notes. Adds great texture contrast.
Kale
earthy and hearty
Hearty, leafy green with different flavor but similar texture when massaged
- Best for
- hearty salads, massaged kale salads, grain bowls, nutritious salads
- Texture
- tough unless massaged
- Salad tips
- Massage with lemon juice and salt to tenderize. Works best in hearty, substantial salads.
Very different flavor than arugula but can work when massaged to tenderize.
The longer answer
About this case
Arugula's peppery, slightly bitter flavor makes it a standout ingredient in salads, but when you need a substitute, choosing the right alternative depends on the flavor profile you want to achieve.
Notes on arugula
- Mixed green saladsWatercress, Baby Spinach, MizunaFor traditional mixed green salads, choose substitutes that blend well with other lettucesWatercress provides the most authentic arugula experience; Baby spinach works well for milder palates; Mix different greens for complex flavor profiles; Consider the other ingredients when choosing your substitute
- Peppery saladsWatercress, Dandelion Greens, MizunaWhen you want to maintain arugula's distinctive peppery flavorWatercress is the closest match to arugula's peppery taste; Dandelion greens offer more intense bitter-peppery notes; Mizuna provides similar peppery flavor with Asian flair; Combine multiple peppery greens for layered flavor
- Garnish saladsWatercress, Mizuna, Baby SpinachFor delicate garnish applications where arugula's small leaves are importantWatercress has similar small, tender leaves; Mizuna provides delicate texture good for garnishing; Baby spinach works but may need to be torn smaller; Choose the most tender leaves for garnish applications
- Sandwich saladsBaby Spinach, Watercress, MizunaFor salads used in sandwiches and wraps where texture mattersBaby spinach is mild and won't overpower sandwich fillings; Watercress adds peppery flavor without being too strong; Mizuna provides good flavor and texture for sandwiches; Consider the other sandwich ingredients when choosing
- Always wash and dry your greens thoroughly before using in salads
- For the best flavor, use greens within 2-3 days of purchase
- Store greens in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels
- Tear larger leaves into bite-sized pieces for better eating experience
- Add dressing just before serving to prevent wilting
- For peppery substitutes, balance with sweet ingredients like fruit or honey
- For bitter substitutes, add creamy elements like cheese or avocado
- Consider the other salad ingredients when choosing your arugula substitute
Watercress
Watercress pairs well with bright, acidic dressings that complement its peppery flavor
Best dressings: Lemon vinaigrette, Balsamic vinaigrette, Citrus dressing
Baby spinach
Baby spinach's mild flavor works well with creamy or sweet dressings
Best dressings: Creamy dressings, Honey mustard, Ranch dressing
Dandelion greens
Bitter dandelion greens need sweet or creamy dressings to balance their intensity
Best dressings: Warm bacon dressing, Honey vinaigrette, Creamy dressings
Mizuna
Mizuna pairs beautifully with Asian-inspired dressings and flavors
Best dressings: Sesame dressing, Ginger vinaigrette, Asian-inspired dressings
Not considering flavor intensity
- Solution
- Choose substitutes based on the flavor profile you want. Watercress for peppery, baby spinach for mild, dandelion greens for bitter.
- Prevention
- Taste your substitute before using and adjust other ingredients accordingly
Using too much bitter substitute
- Solution
- Use bitter greens like dandelion greens sparingly and balance with sweet ingredients.
- Prevention
- Start with small amounts and taste as you build your salad
Not preparing tough greens properly
- Solution
- Massage tough greens like kale with lemon juice and salt to tenderize them.
- Prevention
- Choose tender varieties or prepare them properly for salad use
Overdressing peppery greens
- Solution
- Peppery greens like watercress and mizuna need lighter dressings to let their flavor shine.
- Prevention
- Use dressings sparingly and taste before adding more
Spring
Spring is the best time for tender, fresh greens. Watercress and dandelion greens are at their peak.
Best substitutes: Watercress, Dandelion Greens, Baby Spinach
Tips
- Look for young, tender watercress in spring
- Dandelion greens are most tender in early spring
- Baby spinach is available year-round but best in spring
- Spring greens pair well with fresh herbs and light dressings
Summer
Summer offers the most variety of fresh greens. All substitutes are readily available.
Best substitutes: Baby Spinach, Mizuna, Watercress
Tips
- Summer is good for mixed green salads
- Mizuna thrives in summer heat
- Watercress is abundant in summer
- Pair with summer fruits and vegetables for refreshing salads
Fall
Fall brings heartier greens that can stand up to richer dressings and ingredients.
Best substitutes: Kale, Radicchio, Dandelion Greens
Tips
- Kale is at its best in fall
- Radicchio adds beautiful color to fall salads
- Dandelion greens are still good in early fall
- Pair with fall fruits like apples and pears
Winter
Winter limits fresh green options, but these substitutes work well in hearty winter salads.
Best substitutes: Baby Spinach, Kale, Radicchio
Tips
- Baby spinach is most reliable in winter
- Kale is excellent for hearty winter salads
- Radicchio adds color and crunch to winter salads
- Pair with winter vegetables and rich dressings
Questions
8 questionsWhat's the best substitute for arugula in salad?
Watercress is the best substitute for arugula in salad. It has almost identical peppery flavor and tender texture, making it a good 1:1 replacement.
Can I use baby spinach instead of arugula in salad?
Yes, baby spinach works as an arugula substitute in salad, but it has a much milder flavor. It's good for people who don't like spicy greens, but you may want to add extra herbs or spices to compensate.
What's the difference between arugula and watercress in salad?
Arugula and watercress are very similar in salad applications. Watercress has a slightly more intense peppery flavor and is often found near water sources, but they can be used interchangeably in most salads.
Can I mix different arugula substitutes in one salad?
Yes, mixing different arugula substitutes can create interesting flavor profiles. Try combining watercress for peppery notes with baby spinach for mildness, or add radicchio for crunch and color contrast.
What dressing goes best with arugula substitutes?
The best dressing depends on your substitute. Watercress and mizuna work well with bright, acidic dressings. Baby spinach pairs well with creamy dressings. Bitter greens like dandelion greens need sweet or creamy dressings to balance their intensity.
How do I prepare kale as an arugula substitute for salad?
To use kale as an arugula substitute, massage it with lemon juice and salt for 2-3 minutes to tenderize the leaves. This makes it much more palatable in salads and closer to arugula's tender texture.
Can I use dandelion greens as an arugula substitute?
Yes, dandelion greens can work as an arugula substitute, but they're more bitter than arugula. Use them sparingly and balance with sweet ingredients like fruit or honey in your dressing.
What's the best arugula substitute for a Caesar salad?
For a Caesar salad, watercress is the best arugula substitute as it maintains the peppery flavor that complements the rich, creamy dressing. Baby spinach would also work but would be much milder.