Is it OK to cook watercress?

A: Watercress is best eaten raw as it loses a proportion of its health benefits when cooked. However, watercress is also a useful ingredient when used in cooking , as it adds a unique flavour to soups, stews and stir fries and does retain a proportion of its health benefits.

How to eat watercress safely?

The simplest way to prep watercress—and the way that allows its peppery green flavor to shine best—is to toss it into a salad . You can serve it on its own with a light dressing, or toss it with other greens and veggies. Either way, you'll want to make sure you remove the thickest stems if you're eating it raw.

Can you use watercress as a garnish?

In a salad with rocket and orange segments; combine with potatoes in a soup; use in tarts and omelettes; use to make white bread sandwiches or as a garnish for cooked foods such as game .

What does watercress do to your body?

Watercress may block some cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). It can also increase the amount of urine produced by the body (diuretic) . Watercress may block some cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). It can also increase the amount of urine produced by the body (diuretic).

Is watercress good or bad for you?

Watercress is rich in potassium, which is one of the most important minerals in your body . Potassium helps your body regulate your heartbeat, salt levels, blood pressure, and even the health of your bones. Watercress is also an excellent source of: Vitamin A.

How do you make watercress taste better?

Make an acidic dressing, with a little sweetness, like vinaigrette 2.5 parts oil to 1 part red wine vinegar, salt and a small dash of sugar and salt . Lightly dressing the watercress will help to balance the bitterness and make the spicy flavors pop.

How do you get the bitterness out of watercress?

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

Is watercress healthier than spinach?

The CDC assigns nutrition density scores to produce based on their concentration of essential vitamins and minerals. Usual suspects like spinach, chard, and beet greens all have scores ranging in the 80s. But the only vegetable to earn a perfect score of 100 is watercress .

Is it better to eat watercress raw or cooked?

Q: Can I eat raw watercress? A: Watercress is best eaten raw as it loses a proportion of its health benefits when cooked . However, watercress is also a useful ingredient when used in cooking, as it adds a unique flavour to soups, stews and stir fries and does retain a proportion of its health benefits.

How do you prepare watercress to eat?

Watercress is as easy to prepare as lettuce for a salad. Simply rinse it thoroughly in cold water and blot it dry using paper towels or use a standard salad spinner.

Hamburger Watercress Recipe (2024)

Home » Blog » Hamburger Watercress Recipe

by Relle

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Hamburger watercress: savory bits of ground beef sauteed in an umami packed sauce tossed with vibrant green watercress and refreshing tofu. One of Hawai’i’s favorite comfort foods.

Hamburger watercress is a classic Hawaiian comfort food here in the islands. It was very common during the plantation days. Many people of different nationalities immigrated to Hawai’i to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations.

Along with their travel they brought along their yummy foods. This shaped the mixed plate of foods here in Hawai’i.

Hamburger watercress is a classic of these plantation style meals. Local beef was ground up and tossed with Asian ingredients to create an amazing and simple dinner.

Some other island favorite dishes to try: mochiko chicken, shoyu pork, pastele stew, shoyu chicken, chicken long rice, luau stew, or kalua pig.

Or if you’ve got a sweet tooth try haupia, malasadas, kulolo, or mochi.

Ingredients for hamburger watercress

Cooking oil of choice. I like to use avocado oil https://amzn.to/2UATlid
Onion
Garlic
Ground beef
Shoyu
Patis
Watercress
Tofu

What is shoyu?

Shoyu is a popular condiment here in Hawai’i. It is a Japanese style soy sauce made of soybeans and wheat. If you have a gluten intolerance you can always swap it out for tamari which is a gluten free soy sauce alternative.

What is watercress?

Watercress is an edible aquatic plant that is 95% water and rich in vitamin K as well as vitamins A, C, and B6 as well as riboflavin, calcium, and manganese.

Where can I find watercress?

Watercress can be found in most grocery stores or farmers markets.

What can I serve with hamburger watercress?

Of course here in Hawai’i the favorite is sticky white rice. You can also serve it with pohole salad, macaroni salad, potato macaroni salad, tossed green salad, mashed potatoes, or any other plate lunch sides.

How to store hamburger watercress?

Once cooled place in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can you freeze hamburger watercress?

You can, however freezing tofu often changes the consistency and usually not recommended. You can leave the tofu out and add it to the dish once it has defrosted if you wish.

How to make hamburger watercress?

https://youtu.be/vSOAugSqZMU

In a large pan over medium high heat add the cooking oil of your choice and begin to heat. Add onions and saute until just translucent.

Then add garlic and ground beef. Once beef just starts to brown pour out excess oil.

Next add shoyu and patis. Continue to cook until completely browned all the way through.

Then add watercress and stir to combine. Cook until the watercress begins to wilt.

Add tofu and continue to cook just until tofu is heated through.

ENJOY!

Hamburger Watercress

Relle Lum

Hamburger watercress: savory bits of ground beef sauteed in an umami packed sauce tossed with vibrant green watercress and refreshing tofu. One of Hawai’i’s favorite comfort foods.

4.67 from 27 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Beef

Cuisine Hawaiian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 443 kcal

Equipment

T-fal E93897 Professional Total Nonstick Thermo-Spot Heat Indicator Fry Pan with Glass Lid Cookware, 10-Inch, Black
Lucky Brand Thai Fish Sauce (1)
” class=”wprm-recipe-equipment-link”>Aloha Low Sodium Shoyu 24 Oz.
Chosen Foods 100% Pure Avocado Oil 8.4 oz., Non-GMO, for High-Heat Cooking, Frying, Baking, Homemade Sauces, Dressings and Marinades
See Also
Manhattan Clam Chowder Recipe

Ingredients

cooking oil of choice
1/2 onion diced
1 teaspoon garlic finely diced
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup shoyu
2 teaspoons patis
3 cups watercress roughly chopped
1 block tofu cubed

Instructions

In a large pan over medium high heat add the cooking oil of your choice and begin to heat. Add onions and saute until just translucent.
Then add garlic and ground beef. Once beef just starts to brown pour out excess oil.
Next add shoyu and patis. Continue to cook until completely browned all the way through.
Then add watercress and stir to combine. Cook until the watercress begins to wilt.
Add tofu and continue to cook just until tofu is heated through.
ENJOY!

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSOAugSqZMU

Notes

*Make this recipe gluten free by swapping out the shoyu for tamari (https://amzn.to/2UkCwJr)

*Make this recipe soy free by omitting shoyu and tofu.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 443kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 43gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 119mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Keyword dinner, dinner recipes, easy recipes, hamburger watercress, Hawaii food, hawaii recipes, Hawaiian food, hawaiian recipes, keeping it relle

Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag @keeping.it.relle on Instagram so I can see all your delicious creations and Let me know how it was!

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

7 thoughts on “Hamburger Watercress Recipe”

Hi, unfortunately I’m not a huge fan of watercress 🙁 do you have any suggestions for a substitute veggie that might go well with the hamburger and tofu? Love your website! I’m always looking for quick easy meals. Thank you!
Reply
- Hi Kristen. You can substitute with any green leafy veggie: spinach, kale, arugula. Have a great day!
  Reply
THIS RECIPE IS AMAZING! I love eating this all the time.
Reply
This was the recipe I didn’t know I needed until I found it! I’m a huge tofu & watercress fan and this was so ono. It’s so simple, you have to try it!
Reply
Ingredients are cheap, dish was fast and easy to make. My family loved it!!!!!
Reply
Mahalo for a quick go to meal
Loved it
Reply
- You’re welcome!
  Reply