The Best Jicama Substitute for Salads and Savory Dishes

Are you looking for the best Jicama substitute? If so, we have you covered.

Jicama is a tuberous root vegetable that is often used in Mexican cuisine. It has a crispy texture and a slightly sweet flavor.

However, if you cannot find jicama or have run out of it, don’t worry – there are plenty of substitutes you can use.

In this post, we will discuss the best substitutes for jicama. We will also provide tips on choosing the right substitute for your recipe.

What is Jicama?

Jicama, a crunchy sweet-tasting root vegetable, is native to Mexico and Central and South America.

Popularly referred to as the Mexican yam bean or turnip, it resembles a cross between a potato and an apple in its shape and taste.

When eaten raw, Jicama has a delightful crunchy texture similar to green apples or Asian pears.

Like raw green peas, its flavor is light, sweet, and nutty.

Though commonly enjoyed fresh out of hand, finely sliced jicama can be used as part of salads or sprinkled with lime juice and chili powder for a delicious snack.

In addition to its pleasant, slightly sweet taste, Jicama is also highly nutritious and low in calories but rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants that lower cholesterol levels and aid in digestion.

Truly a versatile superfood packed with health benefits!

The Best Jicama Substitutes

When deciding what can be used as a substitution for jicama in salads and cooked dishes, it is best to research the flavor and texture of jicama to pick something that fits with the overall desired outcome.

For salads, consider finding a crunchy white-based vegetable that is less sweet than jicama, such as celery or daikon radish.

When selecting a Jicama substitute for a cooked dish, such as a roast or mashed side dish, think about maintaining some of the underlying earthy flavors in jicama that can be found in sweet potatoes or Jerusalem Artichokes.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes provide a great replacement for jicama when it comes to cooking.

They have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor that goes well with many dishes and is a tasty substitute in many cooked dishes.

Sweet potatoes are also much easier to find than jicama, making them the ideal candidate for recipes calling for either root vegetable.

They are rich in antioxidants and nutrition, providing essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A and dietary fiber.

Plus, they’re easy to prepare: all you need to do is peel and chop the potato into cubes before adding it to your meal.

So, if you’re searching for a delicious alternative to jicama, the humble sweet potato could be the perfect ingredient!

Related: Creative Substitutes for Asparagus

Water Chestnuts

Water chestnuts are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can easily be used as a substitute for jicama.

They have a crunchy and nutty flavor, making them especially suited for salads or as an addition to stir-fries or noodle dishes. 

In addition to being nutrient-dense, they absorb the flavors of whatever dish they’re added to very well. You can easily swap out jicama with water chestnuts without sacrificing any delicious taste.

Water chestnuts are easily found at most grocery stores due to their popularity in Asian cuisine.

Related: 12 Best Substitutes for Dark Soy Sauce

Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes, also known as earth apples, are a fantastic substitute for jicama due to their similar crunchy texture and sweet flavor.

Even better, Jerusalem artichokes can be cooked just as jicama is – by roasting, boiling, or frying them to create tasty side dishes.

Furthermore, they are packed with vitamin C, iron, and dietary fiber – more than twice the amount in potatoes!

Low in calories but full of nutrients, these vegetables can easily be incorporated into any healthy meal plan.

They’re great for adding crunch to salads or as a healthy french fry alternative.

With all these impressive benefits, it’s no wonder why the Jerusalem artichoke is a good substitute for jicama!

Related: 6 Best Substitutes for Swiss Chard

Daikon Radish

Daikon radish makes a great substitute for jicama because it has many of the same qualities.

Daikon shares the same starchy texture, making it just as crunchy and satisfying, and its mild flavor is similar to the sweet and slightly nutty taste of jicama.

It can be eaten raw with dips or added to salads, fried for a crispy side dish, and cooked in Asian cuisine for an extra zing.

Furthermore, daikon radishes are generally cheaper than jicama and more widely available throughout the year, meaning you can take full advantage of its delicious flavor without waiting for seasonal produce.

In summary, daikon radishes are a perfect jicama substitute.

Celery Root

Celery root is an overlooked but surprisingly versatile vegetable that more people should incorporate into their diets.

It has a unique and slightly sweet taste makes them great substitutes for jicama, the crunchy Mexican root vegetable that is delicious in salads and slaws.

Where jicama can be hard to find in some areas, celery root is easy to source from most grocery stores or farmers’ markets.

It’s very similar to jicama in terms of flavor and texture, although it’s easier to chop or grate as its shape isn’t as round as traditional jicamas are.

Placing a few celery sticks into a salad is an easy jicama substitute.

Cassava or Yuca Cassava

Cassava is a good substitute for jicama in cooked dishes because of its availability, affordability, and unique flavor.

Cassava is loaded with starch, creating a consistency similar to jicama.

Additionally, it has an earthy, nutty flavor that works especially well with sweeter recipes.

Summary of Best Substitutes for Jicama

When looking to substitute jicama there are many options depending on the use of the ingredient. For salads, the best substitutes for jicama are those with a fresh taste including the water chestnut in raw form, multiple daikon radish varieties, and green apple.