SaurabhWe know that spinach is one of the most nutritious ingredients we can add to our diet. It is used in a variety of recipes and you can also enjoy it plain or in different salads.
However, what to do when you don’t have any spinach left? Don’t worry as we have found the best substitutes for spinach.
Spinach Substitutes
You can use any greens instead of spinach but not all of them will offer you a similar taste. Here are the best eight spinach alternatives that you can use in most dishes.
1. Romaine lettuce
Romaine lettuce is a great spinach substitute in different salads. It will taste great in sandwiches as well and has a lot of nutrients.
Among the vitamins and minerals of Romaine lettuce, you will find vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and fiber. It is also low in calories so you can add as much as you please.
2. Escarole
Another alternative to spinach that can save your recipes is escarole. This is a type of lettuce that has a curly look and it is thicker than other types.
It will enrich the taste of any salad and you can add it on top of many cooked dishes as a topping. It will also work well on a pizza if you want to get creative.
3. Arugula
Arugula has a similar taste to spinach but with a lighter flavor. You might even like its mustard taste and peppery flavor more once you discover it. This also contains vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and folic acid but in smaller quantities than spinach does.
4. Iceberg lettuce
Iceberg lettuce might not work great in cooked dishes but it will give you a delicious salad. You can find it fresh, bagged, or refrigerated. Any form of it is a good spinach substitute and will be even better for you if you enjoy the crunchy taste.
5. Kale
Kale is one of the most popular spinach substitutes. Not only that it has a similar taste but it will also look similar. You can use kale on simple dishes but also on dishes that are more complex. It is even a healthy choice for smoothies as long as you combine it with other green veggies.
6. Curly endive
If you like spinach in your food but you run out of it, you can always use curly endives instead. Curly endive looks similar to green lettuce but it has a stronger taste.
You might want to taste it raw before you add it to any type of recipe instead of spinach. Besides vitamin A and C, this food also comes with vitamin E.
7. Watercress
Watercress is a great seasoning to add if you are missing the spinach. It is a part of the mustard family and the small, green leaves will enrich the taste of all recipes.
Besides the vitamins and minerals shares with spinach, this ingredient is also rich in Calcium and will go great in cold dishes such as salads or sandwiches but you can use it in baked, fried, or in other cooked dishes as well.
8. Collard greens
The last but definitely not the least spinach substitute are collard greens. These greens are very popular in Southern American cuisine, but their popularity started to spread to other regions as well.
You can use collard greens in salads but you can also saute them along with some garlic for a delicious side dish. These greens will taste great with meat and in any type of cooked dish.
FAQs
What can I substitute for spinach in lasagna?
Lasagna calls for parsley or chopped spinach in the meat mix. Some recipes will require spinach in the sauce mix as well, along with cheese, eggs, and other ingredients that make this delicious dish. But what if you don’t have spinach or parsley?
You can use any of the spinach substitutes above, except iceberg lettuce. The best substitute for spinach in lasagna, however, is watercress. Or collard greens. They will taste just as great and are easy to bake along with other ingredients in your lasagna.
What has the same nutrients as spinach?
If you are looking for a spinach substitute that will match the nutrient values, kale might be your best option. Spinach is rich in vitamin A, C, K1 as well as iron, calcium, folic acid, fiber, and plenty of antioxidants.
Even if spinach and kale contain the same types of nutrients, the quantities differ. Kale is richer in vitamin C and spinach contains more vitamin K1. Also, spinach comes with more vitamin A as well as more folic acid than kale.
Can I substitute broccoli for spinach?
Broccoli might seem like a good substitute for spinach but it shouldn’t be your first choice. It is not leafy and it doesn’t have a similar taste to spinach.
You can’t prepare it the same way either as you will have to cook broccoli by either steaming it or baking it, in order to consume it. Spinach can be consumed raw and it is even recommended to eat it raw so you enjoy all its nutrients.
Conclusion
As you can see there are plenty of spinach substitutes you can use in various recipes. What you choose to add to your recipe instead of spinach is ultimately up to you and your taste.
Take into account the nutritional values of your spinach substitutes, so you get a dish that is as healthy for you as possible. Use any of the eight spinach substitutes in your recipes and they will turn out equally delicious even if you are missing the spinach.
