9 Crisp and Bitter Greens That Sub for Frisée

Frisee substitutes can transform your meals when this curly, slightly bitter green isn't available at local markets.

Home cooks are often left scrambling after planning a fancy salad only to find empty spaces where frisee should be displayed.

The good news? Numerous alternatives exist that provide similar texture and flavor profiles without compromising your culinary vision.

These replacements range from common supermarket finds to specialty greens that might surprise you with their versatility.

Some options offer milder flavors while others bring their own unique character to dishes that traditionally call for frisee.

The perfect substitute often depends on whether you need the distinctive appearance, the slight bitterness, or just the delicate texture that makes frisee so popular.

Read on to learn about excellent alternatives that will save your next recipe when frisee plays hard to get.

What Is Frisee? Taste, Texture, and Culinary Role

Frisée is a type of chicory with curly, pale-green leaves and a mildly bitter taste that adds character and texture to many dishes.

Frisée has a gentle bitterness with a hint of peppery bite, making it stand out from milder salad greens but not overwhelming other flavors.

ts leaves are crisp and slightly chewy, with a frilly, airy look that adds visual appeal and a satisfying crunch to salads and garnishes.

Frisée shines in classic French salads like salade lyonnaise, where it’s often paired with bacon, poached eggs, and tangy dressings, but it’s also delicious tossed with fruits, nuts, or bold cheeses.

This green holds up well to warm dressings and hearty toppings, making it perfect for composed salads, sandwiches, or as a bed for grilled meats and fish.

Frisée is low in calories but rich in fiber, vitamins A and K, and offers antioxidants, making it a healthy and flavorful choice for everyday meals.

What are Substitutions For Frisee?

Frisée not being available can be fixed by tossing in another leafy green that fits in just right. Doing this means your salad preparation carries on without any pause.

Escarole

Substituting ingredients can save the day when you're missing something crucial, such as frisee, in a recipe.

Escarole is a top-notch replacement for frisée, with its versatile inner leaves working wonderfully in salads while the darker outer leaves shine in cooked dishes.

You can also turn to kale when escarole isn't available, thanks to its impressive nutritional profile packed with vitamins and antioxidants that have made it valuable in traditional medicine for centuries.

Kale adapts beautifully to almost any recipe calling for escarole and tastes great whether enjoyed raw in salads or cooked in hearty soups.

Radicchio

When looking for a frisee substitute, radicchio is the top choice due to its bitter aftertaste and crunchy texture that closely mimics frisee's distinctive qualities.

This close relative of endives and chicory comes in both red and green varieties, making it versatile for various dishes.

Belgian endive offers another excellent alternative with its slightly bitter taste and subtle peppery notes that complement most salads beautifully.

Both substitutes work wonderfully in sandwiches, salads, and even soups without compromising the flavor profile of your original recipe.

The vibrant color of red radicchio can actually enhance your dish visually while maintaining the intended taste experience.

Chard

Chard, widely regarded as the Mediterranean's favorite vegetable, is an excellent substitute for frisee due to its milder flavor profile and abundant health benefits.

This leafy green powerhouse packs an impressive concentration of vitamins and minerals while offering versatility in salads, stir-fries, soups, and stews.

Plus, chard will lose its bitter edge after cooking but maintains its nutritional value, making it more palatable than alternatives like escarole.

Known by several names including silverbeet and perpetual spinach, chard features large, thick leaves with a taste that falls between kale and spinach.

Arugula

Arugula is a perfect substitute for frisée in various dishes, particularly salads where its distinctive peppery flavor pairs beautifully with walnuts and pears while enhancing tomato-based recipes.

Many chefs appreciate how this versatile green can elevate soups and sandwiches with its unique taste profile that closely mimics frisée's slightly bitter notes.

For those seeking alternatives, dandelion greens or radicchio offer similar textures and flavors when arugula isn't available or desired.

Watercress provides another excellent option that matches the bitter leafy character of frisée but delivers even more nutritional benefits than arugula does.

Spinach

Spinach is an excellent frisee substitute due to its versatility and impressive nutritional profile packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

This Persian-native leafy green from the amaranth family shares the slightly bitter flavor profile that makes it blend seamlessly into recipes calling for frisee.

Adding garlic powder or nutmeg can enhance spinach dishes by balancing the natural bitterness while complementing other ingredients in your meal.

Kale offers similar benefits as another nutrient-dense alternative that provides heart-healthy properties and abundant fiber to support your wellbeing.

Chicory

Chicory is an excellent substitute for frisée in salads, though its robust bitter flavor and thicker leaves require some adjustments when making the swap.

Due to its stronger taste profile, using half the amount of chicory compared to what the recipe calls for frisée delivers the best results, with milder lettuce varieties filling in the remainder for balance.

The distinctive curly leaves bring an exciting tang that transforms ordinary salad mixes into something special, especially during winter months.

Chicory pairs wonderfully with seasonal ingredients like roasted vegetables and winter pears, creating delightful cold-weather salads.

Lettuce

Green leafy lettuce offers just as much value as its red counterpart, coming in both large and medium sizes while remaining budget-friendly and widely available at most grocery stores.

These narrow leaves deliver a range of flavors from pleasantly sweet to slightly bitter, with a distinctive aroma that adds character to your salads.

You can easily substitute this versatile green anywhere a recipe calls for frisee, making it perfect for home cooks who need a quick alternative.

Many chefs appreciate how this lettuce holds up well to various dressings without wilting too quickly.

The nutritional benefits include good amounts of vitamin A and fiber, though it contains slightly less iron than some other leafy greens.

Greens & Curls

Substituting curly greens for frisée offers cooks a perfect alternative with similar distinctive curly ends that add texture to any dish.

These related greens share the same botanical family and deliver that characteristic bitter flavor that cuts through rich ingredients and balances complex recipes beautifully.

Most recipes calling for frisée work seamlessly with this swap, making it an excellent option when your grocery store is out of stock.

The subtle differences between these greens hardly impact the final dish, though curly greens sometimes provide a slightly milder bitterness that some diners actually prefer.

For best results, wash your substitute thoroughly and dry completely before adding to salads or warm dishes where crisp texture matters most.

Cabbage

Substituting frisee with cabbage offers a remarkably similar bitter taste while adding freshness to your recipes.

Green cabbage comes in different sizes and shapes but maintains its characteristic flavor that works well in salads and other dishes calling for frisee.

This common vegetable seamlessly replaces frisee without compromising the intended taste profile of their meals.

Cabbage also provides a satisfying crunch and holds up nicely when tossed with dressings or heated in warm preparations.

For best results, choose younger cabbage leaves when seeking a milder flavor closer to traditional frisee.

Best Dressings and Toppings for Frisee Alternatives

Frisée alternatives like escarole, endive, arugula, or even curly leaf lettuce can all bring a different vibe to your salads, and the right dressings and toppings will make them shine just as much as frisée:

• Classic Vinaigrettes: A simple blend of olive oil, Dijon mustard, red or white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper works beautifully on any bitter or mildly peppery green.
• Warm Bacon Dressing: Pouring a little warm bacon fat with shallots and vinegar over escarole or endive softens the leaves and adds a savory punch.
• Creamy Dressings: Try blue cheese or buttermilk ranch for arugula or curly lettuce, these rich, tangy flavors balance the greens’ peppery notes.
• Citrus Touch: Lemon or orange vinaigrette brightens up any frisée substitute, especially when paired with arugula or endive for a refreshing twist.
• Crunchy Toppings: Toasted nuts (like walnuts, almonds, or pecans), crispy bacon bits, or homemade croutons give your salad texture and extra flavor.
• Sweet Additions: Dried cranberries, sliced apples, or fresh pear add a sweet contrast to bitter greens, making every bite more interesting.
• Bold Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan play up the greens’ natural flavors and add a creamy, salty finish.

Your Frisee Swap Questions, Answered

1. Will using a substitute change the flavor of my salad?

Yes, each green has its own flavor and texture. Endive and escarole are slightly bitter like frisée, while arugula is peppery and kale is heartier.

2. Are there milder alternatives to frisée?

Escarole and butter lettuce are milder and less bitter, making them good choices for a softer flavor in salads.

3. Can I use spinach or mixed greens instead of frisée?

Yes, spinach or a spring mix can be used for a more neutral taste and tender texture in place of frisée.

4. Is radicchio a good frisée substitute?

Radicchio offers a similar crisp texture and slightly bitter taste, making it a strong alternative for frisée in both salads and cooked dishes.

5. Are frisée substitutes suitable for cooked dishes?

Yes, endive, escarole, and kale can all be braised or sautéed as a substitute for frisée in warm recipes.

6. Can I use dandelion greens instead of frisée?

Yes, dandelion greens have a bold, bitter flavor similar to frisée and work well in salads or as a garnish.

7. Are there gluten-free alternatives to frisée?

All leafy greens mentioned as substitutes are naturally gluten-free and safe for gluten-free diets.