Vegetable Substitution Guide

I’m sure this has happened to a lot of you – there’s a recipe you’re just so excited to try, but gosh darn it, it’s 7 o’clock, your stomach is growling, and you simply don’t have that bounty of kale that the recipe calls for. Well, look no further than this here guide. Below you’ll find out what vegetables are good substitutes for each other and when (because sweet potatoes aren’t always going to be good substitutes for carrots). I’ve placed a chart below and also provided a PDF for you to download, print, and stick to your fridge for easy reference.

This is a preliminary reference for helping you use what you already have. By no means is this a complete list (of vegetables or all the ways you can interchange them), but it is a good starting guideline to get you thinking about when and how you can switch in a veg for another one (or a variety of veg in place of one). I’ve listed some of the best replacements, and then indicated with a (P) when I think just a partial substitution would be more successful. But play around! Food is fun, and getting creative in the kitchen can mean you discover the newest best thing! Kohlrabi coleslaw! Chopped zucchini salad with arugula pesto! Carrot and zucchini pancakes! The world is your oyster turnip, so shake things up.

VEGETABLERAWCOOKED
Arugula
aromatic,
delicate leaf
Salad Greens,
Lettuce, Mustard
Greens, Spinach,
Basil/Mint (P)
Kale, Spinach, Swiss Chard,
Mustard Greens
Basil
aromatic,
delicate leaf
Pesto: Arugula,
Spinach/Kale (P),
Parsley, Cilantro
Oregano, Thyme, Arugula
Beets
earthy, sweet,
crunchy
Grated/Spiralized:
Carrot, Radish,
Zucchini, Fennel (P)
Roasted: Sweet Potato, Potato,
Carrot, Squash, Turnip
Pickled: Carrot, Turnip
Cabbage
sulphurous,
hearty,
crunchy
Coleslaw: Carrot,
Kohlrabi, Bok
Choy, Radish (P),
Turnip (P), Fennel (P)
Bok Choy, Kale
Carrots
earthy, sweet,
hearty,
crunchy
Grated: Beets,
Fennel (P),
Zucchini (↑ moisture)
Soup/Stew: Sweet Potato,
Winter Squash
Roasted: Beets, Turnip,
Sweet Potato, Fennel (P),
Onion (P)
Cucumber
cool, delicate
flavour,
crunchy
Salad: Zucchini,
Tomato
Pickled: Carrot,
Green Beans, Beets
N/A
Kale
hearty, sturdy
leaf
Salad: Mixed Salad Greens, Lettuce,
Spinach
Spinach, Bok Choy,
Mustard Greens, Swiss Chard,
Arugula (P)
Lettuce
delicate leaf,
flavour can be buttery, spicy,
etc., crisp
Spinach, Lettuce,
Arugula
N/A
Potatoes
hearty, earthy, starchy
N/ARoasted: Sweet Potato (good for pancakes as well), Turnip, Beet
Spinach
sturdy leaf,
crisp
Salad Greens,
Kale, Arugula,
Lettuce
Kale, Swiss Chard,
Mustard Greens
Sweet Potato
sweet,
earthy,
starchy
N/ARoasted: Carrot, Squash (cubed),
Potato, Turnip, Beet
Soup: Carrot, Squash, Potato
Squash
sweet, soft
N/ARoasted/Mashed:
Sweet Potato, Carrot,
Potato (P), Turnip (P)

(P) = partially replace