Table of Contents
This flavorful Watercress Salad recipe is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. Including antioxidant-rich oranges, dried cranberries, and healthy fats from avocado and chia seeds, this salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish. It’s suitable for gluten-free, Whole30, and vegan diets.
Creating nutrient-rich and healthy salads is a passion of mine, and this recipe exemplifies how to incorporate a variety of beneficial nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats into one dish.
This watercress salad highlights avocado, fresh oranges, dried cranberries, and chia seeds as key ingredients, dressed with a zesty citrus and Dijon mustard dressing.
If you’re new to watercress, here’s a brief overview and why you should consider adding it to your shopping list.
What Is Watercress?
Watercress is a leafy green vegetable with small, delicate round leaves and thin stems. It thrives in aquatic environments and is closely related to mustard greens.
The stems and leaves are both edible and nutritious, often sold in bunches or bags with stems intact.
What Does Watercress Taste Like?
Watercress has a distinct flavor, falling between wild rocket and baby spinach – slightly peppery and tangy, but not as intense as mustard greens.
Watercress can be enjoyed raw in salads, smoothies, or cooked in soups, quiches, and other dishes.
Watercress Nutrition
Aside from its appealing flavor and aesthetic appeal, watercress boasts impressive nutritional benefits.
Ranked as the top powerhouse fruit and vegetable for reducing chronic disease risk, watercress surpasses kale, collard greens, and broccoli in nutrient density per 100-calorie serving. It offers anti-aging, detoxifying properties and aids in lowering blood pressure.
Convinced to incorporate more watercress into your diet?
How To Prepare Watercress
When selecting watercress, opt for fresh, crisp bunches with dark green leaves, avoiding any wilted or discolored leaves that indicate spoilage.
Due to its perishable nature, consume watercress within a few days, storing it in a perforated bag in the fridge or a glass of water with a plastic bag covering the leaves.
To prepare watercress, rinse it under cold water, trim any tough roots, and cut or tear the leaves and stems as desired.
How To Make Watercress Salad
For this salad, chop the watercress and use both leaves and stems.
- If using a whole bunch, rinse the watercress, discard tough stems, and cut the orange into pieces.
- Prepare the dressing, cut the avocado before serving, and add dried cranberries, chia seeds, and toss with the dressing.
- If watercress is unavailable, substitute with a rocket and baby spinach mix.
More Watercress & Salad Recipes
Watercress & Chicken Soup by Nom Nom Paleo
Watercress & Goat’s Cheese Crustless Quiche by Free From Heaven
Watercress Salad With Sesame Garlic Dressing from Eating Well
15+ Sugar-Free Salad Dressing Ideas
Beetroot Avocado & Edamame Salad (great with watercress)