Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for chopped curly kale
Best swap for chopped curly kale: Lacinato kale, 1:1; more tender, less bitter; also called dinosaur or tuscan kale.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Chopped Curly Kale?
The best swap for Chopped Curly Kale is Lacinato Kale, 1:1; more tender, less bitter; also called dinosaur or tuscan kale. Another option is Swiss Chard, 1:1; milder, wilts faster; remove thick stems first. The table below also lists Baby Spinach, 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Lacinato kale | 1:1; more tender, less bitter; also called dinosaur or tuscan kale |
| Swiss chard | 1:1; milder, wilts faster; remove thick stems first |
| Baby spinach | 1:1; much more tender; reduce cook time significantly How to use it: Spinach cooks in about 3 to 10 minutes, against 10 to 15 for kale. |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ohio State University Extension, Selecting, Storing, and Serving Ohio Greens (HYG-5519) (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.