Gourmet Hacks: 5 BEST Substitutes for Escarole Lettuce

Escarole lettuce is like that friend who’s always there for you, versatile and reliable.

But hey, there are days when you reach into your fridge, and it’s just…not there. Panic? Nope.

We’re here to help you find the next best thing. Each of these alternatives brings its own flair to the table – literally.

Arugula’s got that peppery kick, endive brings a slight bitterness that’s perfect for balancing flavors, while spinach?

Well, it’s the milder, easy-going pal of the bunch.

Kale and Swiss chard are the robust cousins, packed with a nutritional punch and ready to beef up any dish.

Diving into this mix, you’re set to keep your meals fresh, exciting, and oh-so-tasty.

What is Escarole Lettuce?

Escarole lettuce is a leafy type of lettuce that belongs to the bitter chicory family.

Escarole lettuce came from the French word “escarole”, which means “endive”.

This green, leafy vegetable has wavy leaves and sturdy ribs.

It can be found in dark green or bright red hues, with white or pale yellow ribs.

It can be used as a traditional ingredient in soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Escarole lettuce has a bitter taste but is not related to the more common “bitter” lettuces part of the chicory family.

Escarole also goes by “Batavian endive” and “Batavian lettuce”.

When cooking with escarole lettuce, it’s best to steam the vegetable for a short period.

The edges of the leaves should be firm and just beginning to brown.

If you overcook escarole lettuce, it will have an unpleasant smell and taste.

When choosing escarole lettuce, you should look for a bright green color and avoid those that have wilted leaves.

It’s also best to avoid darker shades of green, as these varieties tend to be more bitter than lighter shades.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Escarole Lettuce

Escarole lettuce is a leafy green vegetable with a slightly bitter taste and a hearty texture. It is commonly used in salads, soups, and cooked dishes.

However, if escarole lettuce is unavailable or you prefer alternative options, there are several substitutes that can provide similar flavor profiles and textures.

In this guide, we will compare the top 5 substitutes for escarole lettuce, outlining their key characteristics and suggesting proper ratios to help you achieve comparable results in your recipes.

Substitute	Key Characteristics	Proper Ratio
Spinach	Mild and versatile flavor; tender, soft leaves	Use an equal amount of spinach as a substitute for escarole lettuce
Radicchio	Bitter and slightly spicy flavor; sturdy and crunchy texture	Use an equal amount of radicchio as a substitute for escarole lettuce
Chard	Earthy and slightly bitter taste; broad stalks and robust leaves	Use an equal amount of chard as a substitute for escarole lettuce
Romaine Lettuce	Crisp texture with mild, sweet flavor; elongated leaves	Use an equal amount of romaine lettuce as a substitute for escarole lettuce
Butter Lettuce	Soft and tender leaves; delicate, mildly sweet taste	Use an equal amount of butter lettuce as a substitute for escarole lettuce

Now let’s explore each substitute in more detail:

1 – Spinach

Spinach is the second-best alternative when escarole lettuce is not available.

Spinach is very easy to find at any grocery store; in fact, you’ll often be able to find it right in the same refrigerator section as other types of leafy greens like arugula or kale.

The best way to prepare spinach for a salad is to remove any large stems, rinse it under cold water, and pat dry.

Then, you can toss it in the salad spinner or let it air dry before adding it to your recipe.

Spinach has a mild flavor that will not overpower many other ingredients.

When eating fresh spinach leaves, they should be chewy but not tough.

Fresh spinach should look vibrant and deep green.

Avoid purchasing any wilted bags of spinach or show signs of yellowing around the leaves.

• Key Characteristics: Spinach has a mild and versatile flavor with tender, soft leaves. It can be used as a suitable substitute for escarole lettuce in various dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of spinach as a substitute for escarole lettuce. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired texture.

2 – Radicchios

Radicchio is a type of head lettuce that can be used to replace escarole lettuce.

It’s also found in the same section of your local grocery store as other types of leafy greens.

The outer leaves of the radicchio should be tightly formed and brightly colored, with deep red or purple hues.

This variety of lettuce is round with slightly crinkled leaves.

Radicchio has an intense flavor that may be bitter, but not overly so.

The radicchio you purchase at the grocery store will most likely already be separated into individual leaves; if this isn’t the case, you should work carefully to avoid bruising the delicate lettuce pieces.

• Key Characteristics: Radicchio has a bitter and slightly spicy flavor with a sturdy and crunchy texture. It can lend complexity to dishes as a substitute for escarole lettuce.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of radicchio as a substitute for escarole lettuce. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

3 – Chard

Swiss chard is closely related to beets and spinach.

It has sharply serrated, deep green leaves.

Chard is known for having an earthy flavor that’s slightly sweet at the same time; in fact, some refer to this variety of lettuce as “chard-flavored spinach”.

Chard should look fresh and crisp. It should also feel firm and not wilted.

The stalks should be moist and brightly colored, with no signs of blackening or discoloration.

When adding chard to a recipe, you should avoid packing the leaves together too tightly; it’s best to leave some space between them, so they’re easier to work with.

Start by rinsing and draining the leaves in a colander and, if necessary, separating them into smaller pieces.

• Key Characteristics: Chard offers an earthy and slightly bitter taste with broad stalks and robust leaves. Its sturdiness makes it suitable for cooking methods that require heat. Chard can be a viable substitute for escarole lettuce in cooked dishes.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of chard as a substitute for escarole lettuce. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired flavor intensity.

4 – Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce is the last alternative to escarole lettuce on this list.

Romaine lettuce has pale green leaves and crisp, thick ribs on each side.

The leaves of romaine lettuce are darker than some other varieties that may be available in your local grocery store.

When choosing romaine lettuce, you should look for firm and crisp pieces.

Avoid any leaves that appear wilted or discolored in any way.

The edges of the leaves should be bright green, not brown or slimy.

With romaine lettuce, it’s important to avoid bruising the leaves when preparing your meal.

This can help prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy and wilted.

Start by rinsing it in a colander and patting dry with paper towels, if necessary.

• Key Characteristics: Romaine lettuce has a crisp texture with a mild, sweet flavor. Its elongated leaves make it a suitable substitute for escarole lettuce in salads and other raw applications.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of romaine lettuce as a substitute for escarole lettuce. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired texture.

5 – Butter Lettuce

Butter lettuce is also known as Boston or bibb lettuce.

It’s an alternative that will work well if you need to replace escarole.

Butter lettuce has crisp green leaves with a soft, buttery texture.

This type of lettuce is very popular in salads because it pairs well with almost any other ingredient.

When choosing butter lettuce, look for leaves that are bright green and crisp.

Avoid any with browned or wilted edges.

Butter lettuce is fragile, so it’s important to handle it gently when adding it to your salad recipe.

The best way to store butter lettuce is to wrap it in a damp paper towel and seal it inside a plastic bag.

If you’re going to use the lettuce within a day, this will be enough to keep it fresh until you need it.

Otherwise, you should eat or cook your lettuce as soon as possible.

• Key Characteristics: Butter lettuce has soft and tender leaves with a delicate, mildly sweet taste. Its gentle flavor and texture make it an excellent substitute for escarole lettuce in raw applications.
• Proper Ratio: Use an equal amount of butter lettuce as a substitute for escarole lettuce. Adjust the quantity based on your recipe requirements and desired texture.

Conclusion

Escarole lettuce is dark green lettuce with broad, curly leaves.

It’s found in the same section of your local grocery store as other types of leafy greens.

Escarole also has a slightly bitter taste that pairs well with many different foods, so it’s often used in recipes worldwide.

Unfortunately, escarole can be difficult to find in some areas.

In this case, you should consider several other options that you can use as a substitute.

Other leafy greens such as chard, romaine lettuce, and butter lettuce are all good choices if escarole is out of stock or too expensive.

All five varieties have a unique taste and texture, so test out a few to find the one that best suits your needs.