This article may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
There has ALWAYS been a debate between escarole vs endive: which is better. So, today I’m putting to rest the Endive-Escarole confusion! I’ll start this review with my opinion about what I think about each of these types of salad greens.
Both are good for your health and taste great. The only downside with escarole is that it has a more robust flavor so you might like endive better. Personally, I’d choose Escarole over Endive every time because it has a lighter taste and contains more nutrients than its older brother.
Stay with me as we dive into endives and escarole: differences, similarities, and their benefits.
What Is Escarole?
Escarole is a lettuce variety that tastes similar to endive and belongs to the same family. It’s a type of endive green.
This vegetable has broad, dark green leaves. The outer leaves are large and loose, while the inner leaves are smaller, tighter, and lighter in color.
Escarole has a slightly bitter flavor, but it’s not overpowering — think somewhere between dandelion greens and radicchio. It’s also a beautiful addition to any dish because of its bright green color.
When paired with some hardier vegetables like onions and potatoes, escarole makes a very satisfying soup that can be enjoyed year-round. If you’re looking for a vegetable to add some life to your meals, it’s time to get familiar with escarole!
What Is Endive?
Endive is a leafy green vegetable in the chicory family. It has a crunchy texture and a slightly bitter taste. The most common variety of endives is curly endives (also known as frisée), Belgian endives, and escarole.
Endive is the perfect addition to any salad, soup, or stir fry. It is rich in vitamins A, C, and K and contains folate, manganese, and potassium.
Escarole Vs Endive: Key Differences
| Their Differences | Escarole | Endive |
| Appearance | Escarole looks like a head of lettuce. It has short, broad, wavy-edged leaves | Endive has sturdy leaves with long arrow-shaped heads that cling tightly to one another. |
| Taste | Escarole has a less bitter taste than endive. | Endive has a highly mild bitterness. |
| Texture | Escarole leaves are harder than endive | Prickly and tough texture |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is More Bitter Escarole Or Endive?
Escarole tastes like a mild version of what you would expect from eating other types of lettuce. It also tastes slightly nutty and earthy, with a hint of bitterness.
Endive has a much stronger flavor than escarole, with a bitter aftertaste that lingers on your tongue for longer than you’d expect from just eating a leaf.
Is Escarole A Type Of Chicory?
Yes, escarole is a type of chicory. Escarole is also known as broad-leaved endive.
What Can I Use In Place Of Escarole In Soup?
If you’re looking for an escarole substitute, you could try frisee lettuce. Escarole lettuce is often used in soups, especially Italian ones like minestrone, but it can be hard to find depending on where you live.
There are a few different options when looking for an escarole substitute that will work well as an ingredient in soup. First of all, there’s frisee lettuce.
This is also a type of endive and is slightly more bitter than escarole, but it’s probably the closest thing to it in terms of taste and texture that you’ll be able to find.
If you want to use frisee lettuce as an escarole substitute, use about the same amount of frisee as the recipe calls for escarole. You can also try Kale. They are great for soups as well.
How Can I Get Rid of The Bitterness from Escarole?
It’s a question that stumps even the most seasoned cooks: how do you get the bitterness out of escarole?
The bitter flavor of escarole makes it a great addition to salads, but if you want to balance out this taste, there are a few things you can do. The most common is blanching leaves in boiling water for about 30 seconds.
See Also: Endive Vs Chicory
Conclusion
Escarole and endive are two very similar plants. They’re both in the chicory family, have a pleasant, nutty flavor, and are best when used as leafy green ingredients in salads and garnishes.
But I hope you have now learned the difference between escarole vs endive, and this has helped you decide which one will be best for your needs.
If you liked this article or have any questions, leave a comment below.
