6+ Broccoli Rabe Substitutes

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If you want to experiment with other leafy green veggies, broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, is a terrific option. But, you may not always have any on hand and may want a nice broccoli rabe replacement. In this essay, we’ll look at several alternatives.

In soups, this adaptable vegetable may be braised, sautéed, blanched, or boiled. The vegetable simply requires a short amount of cooking time to retain its beautiful green color and strong tastes.

Broccoli rabe is an excellent ingredient, but it is not widely available in North American supermarkets. If you can’t obtain this vegetable or aren’t acclimated to its harsh flavor, here are a few alternatives.

What Is Broccoli Rabe?

Broccoli rabe is a member of the Brassica family of vegetables. It has a considerably smaller crown than broccoli and is not linked to it. It has thick, green leaves and tall stalks. The rich, nutty, somewhat bitter flavor of broccoli rabe is appreciated in many Mediterranean cuisines.

This vegetable, also known as Rapini, is native to Europe and is related to turnips, collard greens, and bok choy.

Broccoli Rabe Substitute: Best Choices

1. Mustard Greens

Mustard greens, like broccoli rabe, are leafy green vegetables that belong to the Brassica family. The mustard plant has various subspecies, but they all have the same lively, somewhat spicy taste that is akin to broccoli rabe. With its long stems and large leaves, mustard greens resemble broccoli rabe.

Since they have a comparable texture, look, taste profile, and nutritional value to broccoli rabe, mustard greens work well as a replacement. Mustard greens, on the other hand, have a stronger peppery flavor, so be prepared for an additional kick in your meal.

2. Collard Greens

Collard greens are another kind of leafy green in the Brassica family. They have a harder stem and broader leaves than broccoli rabe. Collard greens are a common side dish at barbecues and cookouts and are a popular feature of Southern cuisine.

Collard greens have a bitter taste comparable to broccoli rabe, so they work well as a replacement. The bitterness, on the other hand, may be too strong for some folks, especially if you’re creating a salad. Although the tender stems of broccoli rabe may be eaten, the stems of collard greens are too tough and bitter to consume.

3. Chinese Broccoli

Chinese broccoli is another leafy Brassica family member with the same name as broccoli. Like broccoli rabe, this vegetable features a long, soft stem and large green leaves.

Because of its hard texture and comparable, bitter flavor, Chinese broccoli may be used in place of broccoli rabe in many dishes. Sauté it as a side dish or add it to stir-fries.

Because of its bigger leaves and crown, Chinese broccoli resembles broccoli more than broccoli rabe, but this shouldn’t be an issue.

4. Spinach

If you can’t locate broccoli rabe in your local grocery, use spinach instead. Its mild flavor and soft leaves make it suitable for a wide range of recipes and culinary applications.

Spinach is a good option for broccoli rabe since it has comparable health advantages but is less bitter, making it more flexible for finicky eaters. Nevertheless, due to its considerably softer texture, it cannot be used as a replacement in some dishes, like as stir-fries.

5. Endive

Chicory is a kind of endive. Endive is easily identified at the shop by its tight, bud-like form and unusual colors. Endive, unlike many other leafy plants, is yellow and white with barely a tinge of green at the tip.

Endive has a bitter taste profile comparable to broccoli rabe and a crisp texture, making it an excellent substitution for salads and roasted meals. Nevertheless, since endive can not withstand heat as well as broccoli rabe, it cannot be used as a replacement in prepared meals.

6. Dandelion Greens

Dandelion greens are produced by the dandelion plant. They are distinguished by their prickly leaves. They taste harsh, like mustard greens and broccoli rabe.

Some individuals find dandelion greens to be overly bitter, but they simmer down to a taste similar to broccoli rabe.

Use them as a replacement in dishes that need for a long cooking time, and use smaller leaves for a softer taste.

Here are several broccoli rabe alternates, whether you want a more common veggie or one with a more bearable bitterness.

Conclusion

Despite the name, the finest broccoli rabe alternative is not normal broccoli. Instead, some of the substitute alternatives listed above are the greatest possibilities. Each is a fantastic choice for a variety of reasons, including a comparable flavor, texture, or something else!

FAQs

What vegetables are similar to broccoli rabe?

As a result, if you need to supplement your diet with broccoli rabe, try turnip greens, chard greens, broccolini, spinach, or mustard greens. You may get a comparable taste by utilizing these natural substitutes.

What is broccoli rabe most closely related to?

First and foremost, broccoli rabe is not the same as broccoli.

Although though it has tiny small buds like broccoli florets, it is really more closely linked to a turnip.

Can you use broccolini for broccoli rabe?

Broccoli and Broccolini may be used interchangeably if you’re looking for florets. If you’re looking for an alternative for the broccoli stalk, Chinese broccoli has a sturdy stem and works well. If you’re looking for leafy greens, broccoli rabe and Chinese broccoli are interchangeable.

What vegetable is like rapini?

Broccoli rabe is the popular name for the vegetable rapini, which is a close cousin of the turnip and looks similar to broccoli and broccolini. The vegetable is often used in Italian, Italian-American, and other cuisines because it is high in Vitamin A (one serving contains about 20% of the recommended dose).

What can I use in place of broccoli rabe?

Substitutes for Broccoli Rabe
Greens Collards: Collard greens are a kind of green leafy vegetable that is popular in the South.
Green turnip: Turnip greens, the top portion of the turnip root, are a great replacement.
Mustard Greens: These spicy greens have a leaf that looks a lot like broccoli rabe.
Additional details…•October 13, 2022

What is the best substitute for broccolini?

Broccoli, Chinese broccoli, broccoli rabe, cauliflower, calabrese, asparagus, and kale are also good replacements for broccolini. Broccolini is a cross between Chinese broccoli and broccoli, and it has many traits with both. It is famous for its fragrant and delicate stalks.

Why is broccoli rabe so expensive?

It is gathered by breaking, rather than cutting, the stalks, which are then wrapped and stored in the field. When people question D’Arrigo why the vegetable is so pricey (usually approximately $2.50 per bunch), she points out the work needed. “You get two to three cuts per bunch with broccoli,” adds the gardener.

Is broccoli rabe same as mustard greens?

Rabe Broccoli

These dark greens grow in leafy clusters with slender stalks, plentiful leaves, and small, broccoli-like florets (though it’s really a cousin of turnips and mustard greens rather than ordinary broccoli).

Does broccoli rabe taste the same as broccoli?

It tastes nothing like broccoli, despite the name (or names). The functions and tastes of broccoli rabe are similar to those of turnip and mustard greens. Broccoli rabe has a green look, slender stems, and tiny florets that aren’t as huge and numerous as broccoli.

Is broccoli rabe like kale?

Broccoli rabe, also known as broccoli rapini or raab, broccoletti, spring raab, and Ruvo kale, is a leafy green vegetable of the Brassica genus, which also includes broccoli, cabbage, turnips, arugula, and kale ( 1 , 2 ). Cruciferous veggies are another name for brassica vegetables.

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