Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
watercress
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
An aquatic herb (Nasturtium officinale) with peppery, slightly bitter, fresh flavor from glucosinolates — the most intensely flavored of all leafy salad greens…
88 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Watercress's peppery heat comes from phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) formed from its glucosinolate gluconasturtiin when the leaves are chewed or damaged — the same mechanism as mustard and wasabi. The heat is more sustained and less sharp than radish, with a fresh, grassy, spring-green quality underneath the pepper note. Raw watercress in classic British sandwiches (egg and watercress, cream cheese and watercress) is one of the great simple combinations — the pepper note contrasting with the creamy filling. Watercress soup: briefly wilt watercress in butter with onion and potato, add stock, simmer until tender, blend — the resulting soup has a brilliant green color and a distinctive fresh-peppery flavor that is unlike any other green soup. The color fades rapidly with heat; cooking watercress no longer than necessary preserves the vivid color. Natural affinities: cream cheese, soft-boiled eggs, cold poached salmon, beef (watercress is a classic English accompaniment to steak), and goat cheese.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
apples
asparagus
bacon
bean sprouts
beef
beets
bell peppers
butter, unsalted
buttermilk
cheese, blue
cheese, goat
cheese, pecorino
chervil
chicken
chives
cilantro
cream
crème fraîche
cucumbers
duck
eggs
endive
fennel
fish
fish sauce, asian
garlic
ginger
lamb
leeks
lemon, juice
lime, juice
mascarpone
meats, roasted
mint
mushrooms
mustard
oil, grapeseed
oil, sesame
oil, vegetable
oil, walnut
olive oil
onions, red
onions, white
onions, yellow
orange
oysters
parsley, flat-leaf
pears
peas
pepper, black
pepper, white
potatoes
radicchio
rice
salads
salmon
salt, kosher
salt, sea
scallions
scallops
seafood
sesame seeds, black
sesame oil
shallots
shrimp
smoked salmon
sorrel
soups
soy sauce
stocks, chicken
stocks, fish
stocks, seafood
stocks, vegetable
sugar
tarragon
tea sandwiches
tomatoes
veal
vinaigrette
vinegar, champagne
vinegar, red wine
vinegar, rice
vinegar, sherry
walnuts
wine, rice
wine, white
yogurt
almonds
Almonds adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
apples
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out watercress's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
asparagus
Asparagus adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bacon
Bacon adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
bean sprouts
Bean Sprouts adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
beef
Watercress's peppery bite cuts through beef's richness and makes roasts, sandwiches, and salads feel fresher.
beets
Beets adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bell peppers
Bell Peppers adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
buttermilk
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cheese, blue
Cheese, Blue adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, goat
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, pecorino
Cheese, Pecorino adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
chervil
Chervil adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
chicken
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chives
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
cilantro
Cilantro adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
crème fraîche
Crème Fraîche adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cucumbers
Cucumbers adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
duck
Duck adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
eggs
Eggs soften watercress's peppery sharpness while the greens keep the dish bright.
endive
Endive adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
fennel
Fennel adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
fish
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
fish sauce, asian
Fish Sauce, Asian brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
garlic
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
ginger
Ginger adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
lamb
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
leeks
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
mascarpone
Mascarpone complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats, roasted
Meats, Roasted adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
mint
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
mushrooms
Mushrooms reinforces watercress's earthy side and adds umami depth, especially in richer cooked preparations.
mustard
Mustard adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
oil, grapeseed
Oil, Grapeseed adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, sesame
Oil, Sesame adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, vegetable
Oil, Vegetable adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, walnut
Oil, Walnut adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions, red
Onions, Red supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
onions, white
Onions, White supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
onions, yellow
Onions, Yellow supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
oysters
Oysters brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
pears
Pears adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out watercress's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
peas
Peas complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
pepper, white
Pepper, White adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
potatoes
Potatoes adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
radicchio
Radicchio adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
rice
Rice gives watercress a structured base or serving context that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more complete.
salads
Salads adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
salmon
Watercress adds peppery freshness that cuts through salmon's fattiness.
salt, kosher
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
salt, sea
Salt, Sea adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
scallions
Scallions supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
scallops
Scallops brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
seafood
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
sesame seeds, black
Sesame Seeds, Black adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
sesame oil
Sesame Oil adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
shallots
Shallots complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
shrimp
Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
smoked salmon
Smoked Salmon brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
sorrel
Sorrel complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
soups
Soups adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
soy sauce
Soy Sauce complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
stocks, chicken
Stocks, Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
stocks, fish
Stocks, Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
stocks, seafood
Stocks, Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
stocks, vegetable
Stocks, Vegetable adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
sugar
Sugar adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
tarragon
Tarragon adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
tea sandwiches
Tea Sandwiches gives watercress a structured base or serving context that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more complete.
tomatoes
Tomatoes adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
veal
Veal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
vinaigrette
Vinaigrette brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
vinegar, champagne
Vinegar, Champagne brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
vinegar, red wine
Vinegar, Red Wine brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
vinegar, rice
Vinegar, Rice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
vinegar, sherry
Vinegar, Sherry brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
walnuts
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
wine, rice
Wine, Rice adds aromatic depth, warmth, or sweetness that helps watercress work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, white
Wine, White adds aromatic depth, warmth, or sweetness that helps watercress work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
yogurt
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out watercress's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Asparagus adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bacon adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
bean sprouts
Bean Sprouts adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Watercress's peppery bite cuts through beef's richness and makes roasts, sandwiches, and salads feel fresher.
Beets adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bell Peppers adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Buttermilk adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cheese, Blue adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Goat adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Cheese, Pecorino adds salt, fat, and savory depth that give watercress more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Chervil adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Chives supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Cilantro adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
cream
Cream adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Crème Fraîche adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cucumbers adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Duck adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Eggs soften watercress's peppery sharpness while the greens keep the dish bright.
Endive adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Fennel adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
fish sauce, asian
Fish Sauce, Asian brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Ginger adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
lime, juice
Lime, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Mascarpone complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats, roasted
Meats, Roasted adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Mushrooms reinforces watercress's earthy side and adds umami depth, especially in richer cooked preparations.
Mustard adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
Oil, Grapeseed adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Oil, Sesame adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
oil, vegetable
Oil, Vegetable adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Oil, Walnut adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions, red
Onions, Red supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
onions, white
Onions, White supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
onions, yellow
Onions, Yellow supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
orange
Orange brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Oysters brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
parsley, flat-leaf
Parsley, Flat-Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Pears adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out watercress's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Peas complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Pepper, Black adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
Pepper, White adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against watercress's natural base notes.
Potatoes adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Radicchio adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
rice
Rice gives watercress a structured base or serving context that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more complete.
salads
Salads adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
Watercress adds peppery freshness that cuts through salmon's fattiness.
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
salt, sea
Salt, Sea adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Scallions supplies an allium backbone that deepens watercress's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Scallops brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Sesame Seeds, Black adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
sesame oil
Sesame Oil adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Shallots complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Shrimp brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
smoked salmon
Smoked Salmon brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
Sorrel complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
soups
Soups adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
Soy Sauce complements watercress by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
stocks, chicken
Stocks, Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
stocks, fish
Stocks, Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
stocks, seafood
Stocks, Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with watercress's sweeter, fresher, richer, or creamy qualities.
stocks, vegetable
Stocks, Vegetable adds structure and seasoning that helps watercress integrate into a fuller dish instead of wandering around like an ingredient without a project manager.
sugar
Sugar adds seasoning or sweetness that balances watercress's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Tarragon adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping watercress from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
tea sandwiches
Tea Sandwiches gives watercress a structured base or serving context that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more complete.
Tomatoes adds complementary plant character, giving watercress more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Veal adds savory richness and browned depth that gives watercress more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
vinaigrette
Vinaigrette brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Vinegar, Champagne brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Vinegar, Red Wine brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
vinegar, rice
Vinegar, Rice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Vinegar, Sherry brings acidity and brightness that sharpens watercress's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
Walnuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives watercress more contrast and substance.
wine, rice
Wine, Rice adds aromatic depth, warmth, or sweetness that helps watercress work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
wine, white
Wine, White adds aromatic depth, warmth, or sweetness that helps watercress work in drinks, sauces, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Yogurt adds richness and helps carry watercress's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.