Top 5 Ideas for Hearts of Palm
Top 5 Uses for Hearts of Palm
If you want to give our delicious hearts of palm a go in your cooking, but are wondering what the top hearts of palm uses might be, here are some ideas for how you can use this delicious canned food.
Hearts of palm really do come from palm trees, by the way. They're extracted from the inner core of the tree before being preserved. Here are our top uses for hearts of palm.
1. In a salad
One of the very best uses of hearts of palm is in a salad. The best thing about using hearts of palm this way is that you don't need to do any additional preparation or cooking. You just drain the can and add the hearts to your favorite salad. Think of the texture and flavor as not too dissimilar to adding a fresh artichoke or lightly cooked fennel. Many folks love also pickled hearts of palm since they have a satisfying crunchy texture that's much more fun in a salad than regular hearts of palm .
In terms of salad flavor, hearts of palm go great with chicken, tomato, radish, and even a Greek-style salad. Thanks to their pickled tang, they can also add interest to a green leaf salad.
2. Stir-fried
Hearts of palm are a staple in Asian stir-fries, and we can see why. They hold their shape and texture even when cooked at high temperatures, which makes them perfect for wok frying. Normally, you'll just need to toss them for a few seconds in a hot wok with peppers, mini sweetcorn, bean sprouts, and a protein of your choice. Add a little soy sauce or mushrooms for a satisfying umami flavor.
3. Added to a charcuterie board
Hearts of palm make for a piquant addition to a charcuterie board. Simply arrange the hearts alongside your favorite hams, cheeses, and some peppery greens like watercress or rocket leaves. If you want to make your party board a bit more unusual, you can sprinkle some chili flakes over everything to turn up the heat. Drizzle high-quality olive oil on top if you want to make a more filling meal out of your snack board.
4. Chargrilled
Yes, cooked hearts of palm are excellent for grilling outdoors. Like artichoke hearts, they won't lose their shape and you'll be able to enjoy them with that characteristic smokey chargrilled flavor. Of course, you'll need to watch them to make sure they get grill marks but don't burn. We also recommend adding a squeeze of lemon and a bit of olive oil to maximize the tangy flavor.
5. As a lobster substitute in a roll
If you love lobster rolls but are going vegan or simply don't like the idea of eating lobster, hearts of palm will surprise you with just how similar they are in texture to cooked lobster. Add a sprinkle of paprika, Old Bay, mayo, and lettuce to your roll of choice, and we promise you won't be able to tell the difference.
The Bottom Line
Our hearts of palm are versatile and tasty. What sets them apart from so many canned hearts of palm options is that ours are lightly pickled, giving them a satisfying crunch that makes them perfect for salads, rolls, stir-fries, and so much more.
