23 Watercress Recipes We're Just Wild About

By Frances Kim
Updated March 25, 2020
John Dolan
It may look dainty and delicate, but watercress has a unique spicy flavor that can bring a zesty spin to any dish. Try the leafy green in salads, soups, sandwiches, and more—you can't go wrong with any of our fresh and easy watercress recipes.
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John Dolan

With its delicate stems and leaves, watercress often gets the garnish treatment. But nutritionally speaking, it offers far more than a sprinkle of peppery flavor. To maximize the crucifer's vitamin C benefits, enjoy it raw, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, a New York City-based dietitian and nutritionist. For a dose of antioxidants and calcium, harness it by the handful in these energizing recipes.

Watercress is a small dark, leafy green with thick stems and a peppery taste that mellows once it's cooked. It's available throughout the year, but it's at its peak from April through June. When shopping for watercress, look for healthy, green leaves and sniff for a fresh, spicy scent. Store it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Watercress makes for a delicious base for salad recipes, like this Watercress, Radicchio, and Radish Salad pictured here. All three varieties of leaves are tossed together in a classic vinaigrette made with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or poached salmon—it goes well with anything and everything. Another simple salad option is this desk-friendly Watercress Chopped Salad, which is easy to take on the go and packed with protein-rich edamame and rich, ripe avocados.

We also like using watercress as a change in recipes where we might otherwise use spinach, such as one of the heart-healthy add-ins for this Mushroom, Parmesan, and Watercress Omelet. And it works double duty as a garnish and crunchy side for this takeout-inspired Orange Pork with Watercress Rice recipe.

Enjoy these fresh ideas and recipes that show off the wonder of watercress.

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Orange Pork with Watercress Rice

Armando Rafael
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Pork tenderloin marries well with both sweet and savory flavors. Orange marmalade is mixed with fish sauce and lime juice to create a syrupy glaze for the meat, which is served over jasmine rice and steamed watercress.

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Watercress-Buttermilk Cooler

Ren Fuller
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Similar to chaas, a savory Indian yogurt drink, this blended beverage provides a nourishing sip. One serving of this three-ingredient invigorating cooler contains nearly a quarter of your daily calcium requirement.

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Super-Grain Soup with Watercress and Mushrooms

Justin Walker
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We love this savory soup when the temperatures cool off. A variety of flavorful, gourmet mushrooms are sautéed with thinly sliced red onions and quinoa, then finish cooking in a rich stock. A big bunch of watercress is the pop of green that this otherwise beige bowl craves.

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Watercress Stir-Fry

Ren Fuller
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Ginger, garlic, and sesame oil impart bold flavor so you don't have to pile on the salt. In just 15 minutes, this made-for-two easy side dish goes from wok to wow.

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Watercress Chopped Salad

Ren Fuller
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It's easy to be green with this clean lunch option. Healthy fats and fiber from avocado and edamame make this salad filling enough to be a meal.

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Turkey-and-Watercress Salad

Julia Gartland
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Don't be turned off by the lengthy time needed to complete this dish—an hour is reserved for letting farro cool off. The rest of the dish, including a quick cranberry-infused vinaigrette, comes together in just about 15 minutes.

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Mushroom, Parmesan, and Watercress Omelet

Chris Simpson
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Enjoy it as a hearty breakfast or protein-rich vegetarian dinner. Cremini mushrooms, which have so much more flavor than regular button mushrooms, are packed into a three-egg omelet along with Parmigiano-Reggiano and crunchy watercress.

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Watercress Pesto Pasta

Raymond Hom
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Don't let basil have all the fun! Watercress makes a delectable pesto, too, when paired with toasted pine nuts, lemon zest, garlic, and red-pepper flakes. Toss with better-for-you farro spaghetti and more watercress.

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Fried-Egg Breakfast BLT with Watercress

Lennart Weibull
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Watercress stands in seamlessly for lettuce in this breakfast-ready twist on BLT. It joins Canadian bacon, juicy Campari tomatoes, and fried eggs on brioche toast.

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Asparagus and Watercress Pizza

Bryan Gardner
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Store-bought whole-wheat pizza dough makes putting this pie together a cinch. Top with ricotta, mozzarella, asparagus, and red onion, bake, and finish with watercress and red-pepper flakes.

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Salmon, Avocado, and Watercress Tea Crackers

John Kernick
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Is it tea time yet? Because we're dying to serve these sophisticated yet unfussy crackers topped with salmon salad, thinly sliced avocado, and crisp watercress leaves. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.

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Watercress Soup

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Chicken stock is brightened with fresh watercress, lemon wedges, and thinly sliced garlic in this soothing soup that's satisfying enough for lunch, thanks to the addition of diced potatoes.

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Turkey, Avocado, and Cress Wrap

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Mashed avocado, mayo, mustard, and capers make a sensational spread for this simple wrap. It elevates the flavors of the roast turkey breast, cucumber, and watercress nestled inside.

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Watercress-Horseradish Deviled Eggs

Mike Krautter
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Finely chopped watercress and prepared horseradish offset the richness of the yolks in these spring party-ready deviled eggs.

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Roasted Golden-Beet, Avocado, and Watercress Salad

Raymond Hom
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Peppery watercress, sweet golden beets, spicy radishes, cool avocado, and fresh chives are tossed in a lively red-wine vinaigrette and topped with luxe Humboldt Fog goat cheese in this salad that's fancy enough for company.

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Watercress with Garlic and Scrambled Eggs

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Start the morning off with some good-for-you greens—amp up your scrambled eggs with fresh watercress and a touch of garlic.

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Potato and Leek Galette with Watercress

Johnny Miller
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Watercress dressed in lemon juice and olive oil makes a lovely textural contrast to the crisp potato pancake sitting underneath it in this elegant brunch recipe.

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Soy-Glazed Salmon with Watercress Salad

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A tangle of watercress tossed with orange segments, thinly sliced onion, and a sweet-and-savory vinaigrette makes a delicious accompaniment for succulent broiled salmon.

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Watercress and Leek Soup

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Watercress does double duty in this dish—it's cooked and puréed into the creamy soup and served raw on top, dressed in lemon juice and olive oil.

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Grapefruit and Watercress Salad

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We love the combination of textures and flavors in this simple salad—sweet-tart grapefruit, peppery watercress, creamy avocado, and a zingy white-wine vinaigrette.

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Chicken with Watercress Salad

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Thinly pounded chicken breasts are one of the quickest ways to get dinner on the table. Here, they're flavored with lemon and cumin, grilled, and topped with a watercress, radish, and avocado salad.

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Steak, Watercress, and Orange Salad

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A dinner salad for the ages! Pan-cooked flank steak is paired with fresh watercress, sliced navel oranges, roasted cashews, and a mustardy red-wine vinaigrette in this hearty dish..

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