Vegetables

Chicory greens, raw

FDC 169992cup, chopped (29 g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Density 100 · +7 vs Vegetables median

Chicory greens, raw round out the top five with a perfect 100 of 100, Elite band, ranked 5 of 60 in Vegetables. At 23 calories per 100 grams, it delivers 32% DV vitamin A and 27% DV vitamin C, plus a notable 15% DV vitamin E, a nutrient that shows up less often among the other greens in this category.

Chicory greens have a distinctly bitter edge that mellows with cooking, making them a common addition to braises and saute pans alongside garlic and olive oil, though they are eaten raw only sparingly in salads. Fiber is solid at 14% DV, but because the leaf is naturally bitter, most people eat it in smaller quantities than milder greens like spinach.

See how this score is calculated, build a plate around chicory greens, raw, or compare it with another food.

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Fig. 1 · Macronutrient composition
Protein 1.7 g · 24%Carb 4.7 g · 66%Fat 0.3 g · 10%

Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams

Nutrition facts

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories23 kcal1%
Total fat0.3 g0%
Saturated fat0.07 g0%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium45 mg2%
Carbohydrate4.7 g2%
Dietary fiber4 g14%
Sugars0.7 g
Protein1.7 g3%
Potassium420 mg9%
Calcium100 mg8%
Iron0.9 mg5%
Magnesium30 mg7%
Vitamin C24 mg27%
Vitamin A286 µg32%
Vitamin E2.3 mg15%

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

FDC 169992

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

What it is rich in

Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.

Vitamin A32% DV
Vitamin C27% DV
Vitamin E15% DV
Dietary fiber14% DV

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Versus the vegetables median

Nutrient density100 vs 93 median
Protein / 100 g1.7 vs 1.7 median
Fiber / 100 g4 vs 2.5 median
Sodium / 100 g45 vs 22 median

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

More nutrient-dense swaps

Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.

Beet greens, rawDensity 100 vs 100Watercress, rawDensity 100 vs 100Parsley, freshDensity 100 vs 100

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

In the kitchen and how to use it

Chicory greens (the loose-leaf type sometimes sold as chicory or curly endive) have a distinctly bitter edge that cooks use to their advantage, tossing the raw leaves into salads with something sweet or fatty, like roasted pears, dates or shaved Parmesan, to balance the bitterness, or braising and sauteing them with garlic to soften the bite. They also turn up wilted into pasta dishes and bean stews, where they hold their texture better than more delicate lettuces.

Look for leaves that are crisp and not wilted or browning at the tips, and store them loosely wrapped in the crisper drawer, where they will keep for the better part of a week. At 23 calories per 100 grams, they bring 32% DV of vitamin A and 27% DV of vitamin C, along with 4 grams of fiber, so a handful stirred into a grain bowl or bean salad adds fiber and bulk to a meal that might otherwise lean on lower-fiber ingredients.

Frequently asked questions about chicory greens, raw

How many calories are in chicory greens?

Chicory greens have 23 calories per 100 grams.

How do you tone down the bitterness of chicory greens?

Pairing raw leaves with something sweet or fatty, like roasted pears or shaved Parmesan, or braising them with garlic, helps balance their natural bitterness.

Is chicory greens a good source of fiber?

Yes, chicory greens provide 14% DV of fiber per 100 grams, along with 32% DV of vitamin A.

View the USDA source record