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Savory Tweaks: 8 Best Napa Cabbage Substitutes

Have you ever gotten to the grocery store with a long list only to find that not all of your items are in stock?

It happens more often than you might think, and finding quality substitutes can sometimes be quite tricky.

Napa cabbage is one such item—it is known for its crunchy texture and sweet savory flavor, but it can also be difficult to track down if your local grocer isn’t well-stocked.

Never fear! With our comprehensive list below, you’ll never have to sacrifice the beloved napa cabbage again.

Read on for 8 of the best napa cabbage substitutes so that delicious recipes featuring this unique vegetable won’t needlessly falter any longer.

What’s Napa Cabbage?

Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage that is commonly used in Asian cuisine.

It is also known as celery cabbage, Napa kale, and Peking cabbage.

The leaves are light green in color and have a crinkly texture.

The head of the cabbage is oval-shaped and can weigh up to 2 pounds.

Napa cabbage originated in China and has been cultivated there for over 4,000 years.

It was introduced to Japan in the 18th century and has been widely used in Japanese cuisine since then.

Napa cabbage is a popular ingredient in stir-fries, soups, and salads.

It can be eaten raw or cooked and has a crunchy texture.

To use Napa cabbage, first, remove the tough outer leaves.

Cut the cabbage into thin strips or shred it using a knife or food processor.

Add it to your desired dish towards the end of cooking, so it doesn’t become mushy.

Napa cabbage can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

8 Best Napa Cabbage Substitutes

1. Kale

Kale is a dark, leafy green that has become popular in recent years for its health benefits.

But even if you’re not interested in eating kale for its nutritional value, you may be surprised by how delicious it can be.

Kale has a slightly bitter taste, but the bitterness is offset by a crisp, crunchy texture.

Kale can be used as a substitute for napa cabbage in many recipes.

Just like napa cabbage, kale can be sautéed, stir-fried, or added to soups and stews.

So if you’re looking for a new vegetable to try, don’t overlook kale.

It may just become your new favorite.

2. Bok Choy

Bok choy is a type of cabbage that is commonly used in Asian cuisine.

It has a milder flavor than napa cabbage and can be used as a substitute in any recipe.

Bok choy is also a good source of vitamins A and C.

When substituting bok choy for napa cabbage, it is important to remember that the leaves will cook down much quicker than the thicker Napa cabbage leaves.

This means that you may need to use more bok choy to achieve the same volume as napa cabbage.

The taste of bok choy is also slightly different, so keep that in mind when making your substitution.

Overall, bok choy is a good substitute for napa cabbage and can be used in most recipes with minimal modification.

If you are looking for an exact replacement, then you may want to consider another option on this list.

3. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that is often used as a substitute for spinach.

It has a slightly bitter taste and is often used in soups, stews, or sautéed dishes.

Swiss chard can also be eaten raw in salads or sandwiches.

If you are looking for a napa cabbage substitute that has a similar taste, then Swiss chard is a good option.

This leafy green vegetable has a slightly bitter taste that can add some depth of flavor to your dish.

Swiss chard is also easy to cook with and can be used in a variety of recipes.

To substitute Swiss chard for napa cabbage, simply chop the leaves into thin strips and add them to your recipe.

Swiss chard can be used in soups, stews, sautéed dishes, or even raw in salads or sandwiches.

4. Collard Greens

Collard greens are a type of leafy green vegetable that is often used in southern cooking.

They have a slightly bitter taste and are often cooked with ham or bacon to balance out the flavor.

Collard greens can be substituted for napa cabbage in most recipes.

When substituting, use half as much collard greens as you would napa cabbage.

5. Escarole

Escarole is a type of endive that has broad, slightly bitter leaves.

It is often used in salads, soups, and other dishes for its flavor and nutritional value.

Escarole is a good substitute for napa cabbage because it has a similar taste and texture.

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The taste of escarole is slightly bitter, but it is also nutty and crunchy.

When cooked, the bitterness decreases and the flavor becomes more mellow.

Escarole can be enjoyed raw or cooked.

It is often used in salads, soups, and other dishes for its flavor and nutritional value.

Escarole is a good substitute for napa cabbage because it has a similar taste and texture.

When cooked, both escarole and napa cabbage become tender and mild-flavored.

They can be used interchangeably in recipes.

6. Arugula

Arugula, also known as rocket, is a leafy green vegetable that has a peppery flavor.

It is often used in salads or as a garnish.

Arugula can be substituted for napa cabbage in many dishes.

The taste of arugula is similar to that of other leafy greens, such as spinach or kale.

However, arugula has a more pungent flavor that is often described as being “peppery.

” This flavor is due to the presence of compounds called glucosinolates.

Arugula can be used as a substitute for napa cabbage in many recipes.

It can be used in salads, soups, or stir-fries.

Arugula can also be used as wraps or sandwich fillings.

When substituting arugula for napa cabbage, it is important to keep in mind that the leaves will wilt quickly when heated.

Therefore, it is best to add them near the end of cooking time.

7. Radicchio

If you’re looking for a vegetable that has a similar taste to napa cabbage, radicchio is a good option.

Radicchio is a type of chicory, and it has a slightly bitter taste.

It’s often used in salads or as decoration on pizzas.

To substitute radicchio for napa cabbage, simply chop it up into thin strips and use it in the same way that you would use napa cabbage.

You can also roast or grill radicchio to bring out its natural sweetness.

8. Endive

Endive is a leafy vegetable that belongs to the chicory family.

It has a slightly bitter taste and is often used in salads or as a garnish.

Endive can be substituted for napa cabbage in most recipes.

Endive has a slightly bitter taste, which some people find off-putting.

However, this bitterness can also add an intriguing dimension to dishes.

When substituting endive for napa cabbage, it’s best to use it in dishes where the cabbage is cooked, such as stir-fries or soups.

This will help mellow out the bitterness.

Endive is a good substitute for napa cabbage in most recipes.

It has a similar texture and can be used in both raw and cooked dishes.

When substituting endive for napa cabbage, keep in mind that it has a slightly bitter taste, so you may want to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

Conclusion

Napa cabbage is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes.

If you’re looking for a napa cabbage substitute, there are several options to choose from.

Each of these substitutes has a different taste and texture, so be sure to select the one that best suits your needs.

Thanks for reading, and happy cooking.

8 Best Napa Cabbage Substitutes

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Substitutes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • 1. Kale
  • 2. Bok Choy
  • 3. Swiss Chard
  • 4. Collard Greens
  • 5. Escarole
  • 6. Arugula
  • 7. Radicchio
  • 8. Endive

Instructions
 

  • Select your favorite ingredient from the list above to use as a substitute.
  • Follow the instructions and use the exact ratio of ingredients as directed.
  • This will help to ensure that your dish turns out just as delicious as it would have with the original ingredient.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!