Cress/kres/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Peppery Flavor Cress adds a sharp, slightly spicy taste to dishes, similar to mustard. Try adding some cress to jazz up a plain omelette. Pro Tip 2/3Salad Ingredient Often used raw in salads, cress is valued for its fresh, tangy leaves. A handful of cress can turn a simple green salad into something special. Pro Tip 3/3Garnishing Touch Cress is both a flavorful and decorative garnish for soups and entrees. She garnished the pumpkin soup with a sprinkle of cress.