Out of Spinach, one case
Can you substitute arugula for spinach?
Yes, you can substitute arugula for spinach and vice versa, but they have very different flavors. Arugula is peppery and spicy, while spinach is mild and sweet. Use 1:1 ratio but expect different taste profiles. Arugula works best in bold dishes, while spinach is better for mild, creamy applications.
One casethe full arugula card
The longer answer
About this case
Arugula and spinach are both popular leafy greens, but they have very different flavor profiles and uses in cooking. While they can sometimes be substituted for each other, understanding their differences is key to successful substitutions.
Tips for substituting spinach
8 tips- Both arugula and spinach wilt quickly when heated - add at the very end of cooking
- Arugula is more delicate and should be handled gently to prevent bruising
- Spinach can be tougher when mature - choose baby spinach for tender texture
- Both greens benefit from thorough washing to remove dirt and sand
- Store both greens in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels
- Use both greens within 3-5 days for best flavor and texture
- Both can be eaten raw or cooked, but cooking reduces their volume significantly
- Arugula pairs well with bold flavors, while spinach works better with mild ingredients
Notes on spinach
| Property | Arugula | Spinach |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor | Peppery, spicy, slightly bitter | Mild, sweet, earthy |
| Texture | Tender, delicate leaves | Tender when young, can be tough when mature |
| Cooking | Wilts quickly, add at end | Wilts quickly, add at end |
| Best for | Bold flavors, peppery dishes, garnishes | Mild dishes, creamy sauces, smoothies |
| Nutrition | High in vitamin K, folate, calcium | High in iron, vitamin A, folate |
| Appearance | Small, lobed leaves, dark green | Smooth, oval leaves, bright green |
Arugula for spinachSame amount
Substituting arugula for spinach adds peppery flavor to mild dishes
Best for: Bold salads, Peppery pasta dishes, Garnish applications, Mediterranean dishes
Considerations
- Arugula is much more peppery than spinach
- May overpower mild flavors
- Great for adding spice to bland dishes
- Works well in bold, flavorful recipes
Tips
- Use in dishes that can handle strong flavors
- Pair with bold ingredients like garlic, cheese, nuts
- Add at the very end of cooking
- Consider reducing other strong seasonings
Spinach for arugulaSame amount
Substituting spinach for arugula creates milder, sweeter dishes
Best for: Mild salads, Creamy pasta sauces, Smoothies, Sensitive palates
Considerations
- Spinach is much milder than arugula
- May need extra seasoning for flavor
- Great for people who don't like spicy greens
- Works well in creamy, mild dishes
Tips
- Add extra herbs or spices for flavor
- Works well in creamy sauces
- Great for children and sensitive palates
- Consider adding other flavorful ingredients
Salads
Substitution tips
- Arugula adds spice to mild salads
- Spinach creates milder, sweeter salads
- Mix both for balanced flavor profiles
- Consider the other salad ingredients when choosing
- Arugula characteristics
- Peppery, bold flavor, small tender leaves
- Spinach characteristics
- Mild, sweet flavor, larger leaves
Pasta dishes
Substitution tips
- Arugula adds peppery contrast to rich pasta
- Spinach works better in creamy pasta sauces
- Both wilt quickly - add at the end
- Consider the sauce type when choosing
- Arugula characteristics
- Peppery contrast to rich sauces, wilts quickly
- Spinach characteristics
- Mild flavor, works well with creamy sauces
Soups
Substitution tips
- Arugula adds bold flavor to mild soups
- Spinach adds bulk and mild flavor
- Both should be added at the end of cooking
- Arugula works better in bold, flavorful soups
- Arugula characteristics
- Adds peppery flavor, wilts quickly
- Spinach characteristics
- Mild flavor, adds bulk and nutrition
Smoothies
Substitution tips
- Spinach is much better for smoothies
- Arugula may be too peppery for most smoothies
- If using arugula, use sparingly
- Spinach provides nutrition without strong flavor
- Arugula characteristics
- Peppery flavor, may be too strong
- Spinach characteristics
- Mild flavor, blends well with fruits
Peppery and bold
Arugula's peppery, spicy flavor works best in bold dishes
Pairings
- Garlic and olive oil
- Parmesan cheese
- Nuts (walnuts, pine nuts)
- Citrus fruits
- Bold dressings
Dishes: Peppery salads, Bold pasta dishes, Mediterranean recipes, Garnish applications
- Best uses
- Arugula
Mild and sweet
Spinach's mild, sweet flavor works well in gentle dishes
Pairings
- Creamy sauces
- Mild cheeses
- Sweet fruits
- Delicate dressings
- Mild seasonings
Dishes: Creamy pasta, Mild salads, Smoothies, Soups and stews
- Best uses
- Spinach
| Property | Arugula | Spinach |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 25 per 100g | 23 per 100g |
| Vitamin K | 108.6 mcg (136% DV) | 483 mcg (604% DV) |
| Folate | 97 mcg (24% DV) | 194 mcg (49% DV) |
| Calcium | 160 mg (16% DV) | 99 mg (10% DV) |
| Vitamin A | 2373 IU (47% DV) | 9377 IU (188% DV) |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg (25% DV) | 28.1 mg (47% DV) |
| Iron | 1.46 mg (8% DV) | 2.71 mg (15% DV) |
Not considering flavor intensity
- Solution
- Remember that arugula is much more peppery than spinach. Adjust other seasonings accordingly.
- Prevention
- Taste your substitute before using and adjust the recipe as needed
Overcooking delicate greens
- Solution
- Add both arugula and spinach at the very end of cooking, off the heat.
- Prevention
- Have greens ready and add them last, tossing gently until just wilted
Using mature spinach for delicate applications
- Solution
- Choose baby spinach for tender texture, or cook mature spinach longer to tenderize.
- Prevention
- Select the right type of spinach for your application
Not washing greens thoroughly
- Solution
- Both arugula and spinach can harbor dirt and sand. Wash thoroughly in cold water.
- Prevention
- Always wash greens in multiple changes of cold water until water runs clear
Spinach and ricotta pasta
Modifications
- Increase garlic from 2 cloves to 3-4 cloves
- Add ¼ tsp black pepper
- Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes
- Use less arugula if the flavor is too strong
- With arugula
- Arugula and Ricotta Pasta - Add extra garlic and black pepper to balance arugula's peppery flavor
Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
Modifications
- Add 1 tbsp fresh herbs (basil, oregano, or thyme)
- Increase lemon juice by 1 tbsp
- Add ¼ tsp salt
- Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes
- With spinach
- Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette - Add extra herbs and spices to compensate for spinach's mild flavor
Creamed spinach
Modifications
- Use 2/3 the amount of arugula
- Add ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Increase garlic and onion
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper
- With arugula
- Creamed Arugula - Reduce arugula amount and add extra seasonings
Questions
8 questionsCan I substitute arugula for spinach in any recipe?
You can substitute arugula for spinach in most recipes, but expect a very different flavor. Arugula is much more peppery and spicy than spinach, so it works best in bold, flavorful dishes.
What's the difference between arugula and spinach?
Arugula has a peppery, spicy flavor and small, lobed leaves, while spinach has a mild, sweet flavor and smooth, oval leaves. Arugula is more delicate and peppery, while spinach is heartier and milder.
Can I use spinach instead of arugula in salad?
Yes, you can use spinach instead of arugula in salad, but the flavor will be much milder. You may want to add extra herbs, spices, or bold ingredients to compensate for the lack of peppery flavor.
Which is better for smoothies - arugula or spinach?
Spinach is much better for smoothies because it has a mild, sweet flavor that blends well with fruits. Arugula's peppery flavor can be too strong and overpowering in smoothies.
Can I mix arugula and spinach together?
Yes, mixing arugula and spinach together can create a balanced flavor profile. The arugula adds peppery notes while the spinach provides mild, sweet flavor and bulk.
Which has more nutrients - arugula or spinach?
Both are nutritious, but spinach generally has more iron, vitamin A, and folate, while arugula has more calcium and vitamin K. Both are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals.
Can I cook arugula and spinach the same way?
Yes, both arugula and spinach can be cooked the same way - they both wilt quickly when heated and should be added at the end of cooking. However, arugula is more delicate and needs gentler handling.
Which is better for pasta - arugula or spinach?
It depends on the dish. Arugula adds peppery contrast to rich pasta sauces, while spinach works better in creamy, mild pasta dishes. Both wilt beautifully in pasta.