🔧 Soup

Best Kale Substitutes for Soup: Complete Guide

✓

Quick Answer

For soup, the best kale substitutes are spinach (add last), Swiss chard (similar cooking time), collard greens (cook longer), or escarole (mild flavor). Spinach is the closest match for quick-cooking soups.

Best Substitutes

Spinach

1:1

Perfect for quick-cooking soups, add in the last 2-3 minutes

Best for:

minestronevegetable souppasta e fagiolichicken soup

Wilt quickly, perfect for finishing soups

Swiss Chard

1:1

Similar earthy flavor and cooking properties to kale

Best for:

bean souplentil soupminestronevegetable soup

Cook stems first, then add leaves

Collard Greens

1:1

Robust green perfect for long-simmering soups

Best for:

ham and bean soupsouthern-style soupshearty vegetable soupribollita

Remove tough stems, needs longer cooking

Escarole

1:1

Mild bitter green perfect for Italian soups

Best for:

escarole and bean soupminestroneItalian wedding souppasta e fagioli

Less bitter than kale, great for Italian cuisine

Bok Choy

1:1

Asian green with crisp stems and tender leaves

Best for:

miso soupramenwonton soupAsian-style soups

Cook stems first, then add leaves

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For quick-cooking soups, add spinach in the last 2-3 minutes
  • 💡For hearty soups, use Swiss chard or collard greens and cook longer
  • 💡Remove tough stems from all leafy greens before adding to soup
  • 💡If using frozen greens, add them directly to the soup
  • 💡Taste and adjust seasoning after adding leafy greens
  • 💡For creamy soups, blend the greens for a smooth texture
  • 💡Kale works well in long-cooking soups like ribollita and minestrone
  • 💡Massage kale with lemon juice before adding to soup to reduce bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen spinach instead of kale in soup?

Yes, frozen spinach works great in soup. Add it directly from frozen and cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.

How do I substitute kale in minestrone?

Use Swiss chard or escarole for minestrone. Add them 10-15 minutes before the soup is done, as they need similar cooking time to kale.

What's the best kale substitute for Asian soups?

Bok choy is the best substitute for Asian soups. Cook the stems first for 3-4 minutes, then add the leaves for another 2-3 minutes.

Can I use kale stems in soup?

Yes, kale stems are edible and add nice texture to soup. Cook them first as they take longer than the leaves.

What's the best kale substitute for zuppa toscana?

Swiss chard or escarole work best for zuppa toscana. They have similar cooking properties and flavor profile to kale.

Summary

Discover the best substitutes for kale in soup recipes. Learn about spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, and other leafy green alternatives with cooking tips and ratios.