Are you in search of a jicama substitute? Welcome! I’ll show you the best ideas for a variety of dishes.
Jicama, also known as Mexican yam or sweet turnip, is a root vegetable that is crispy, juicy, and somewhat sweet. But, jicama can be out of season or unavailable at your local grocery shop.
Don’t worry — I’ve got some great jicama replacements for your recipes.
Jump to
What is jicama?
Mexican and Latin American cuisine uses jicama, a versatile vegetable. It’s a tuberous root vegetable.
Jicama grows underground and needs to be peeled before eating. Its white flesh is juicy, crisp and somewhat sweet.
Salads, slaws, salsas, and tacos use jicama. It can replace water chestnuts in Asian cooking. Smoothies, fruit bowls, and other sweets benefit with jicama. Raw jicama can be chopped, diced, or shredded for cooking.
Jicama is a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable. It’s high in potassium, which may help regulate blood pressure. Jicama’s low calorie and high fiber content make it a popular weight loss food.
Jicama is healthy, easy to make, and store. Jicama can be refrigerated for a month or stored in a cold, dry area for two weeks.
Best jicama substitute ideas
- Daikon radish
It has a jicama-like flavor and a satisfying crunch, making it a great munchie. Daikon radish is a great addition to salads and other cuisines because of its low calorie and high fiber content (you could also try korean radish or a korean radish alternative).
Daikon radish, unlike jicama, has a stronger and pepperier flavor. Sweeten it up with with honey, agave nectar, or a sugary dressing.
These alternatives to Daikon radishes might work as inspiration if you’re interested.
- Water chestnuts
Water chestnuts are a common vegetable in Asian cuisine. They’re a great substitute for jicama due to their crunchiness and sweet flavor.
Water chestnuts are high in fiber and low in calories, making them great for salads and stir-fries. They can be sliced thinly for salads or chopped into small pieces for spring wraps.
- White turnip
Turnips are jicama’s relative. They taste like jicama and are crisp and sweet. Turnips are nutritious and low in calories.
They can be sliced thinly for salads or stir-fries, or chopped into cubes for slaws.
Wow, turnip worked great as a substitution in baked jicama fries! Though the texture was unusual, the turnip had a terrific crunch and taste. I might even prefer it over jicama now!
Are you looking for alternative vegetables? Why not check out these healthy substitutes for turnip?
- Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a cabbage-family vegetable. It tastes like jicama and can be chopped, sliced, or shredded for cooking.
Kohlrabi has a stronger flavor than jicama, so keep that in mind when replacing. Add honey, agave nectar, or a sweeter dressing to balance the flavor.
Kohlrabi is denser than jicama and takes longer to cook or soften. Adjust cooking time or blanch the kohlrabi before using it to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
If you like kohlrabi, it could be a good idea to get acquainted with these kohlrabi substitutes!
- Cassava
South American root crop cassava. It’s a great jicama alternative due to its crunchiness and mild taste.
Salads and other dishes can benefit from cassava’s low calories and high fiber. Use it like jicama in salads and slaws.
- Celeriac
Celeriac, often known as celery root, has a feel comparable to jicama. It has a mild, nutty flavor and can be used in jicama soups and stews.
Celeriac tastes nuttier and earthier than jicama, so keep that in mind when replacing. Add vinegar or lemon juice to temper the taste.
To mimic jicama’s texture in a salad or slaw, grate or slice celeriac.
I have a post about celery root and its substitutes. If you’re curious, go ahead and have a look!
- Green apples
Apples aren’t vegetables, but they can replace the taste of jicama in dishes that call for its crunchy texture and somewhat sweet taste. Salads, slaws, and other meals can utilize apples sliced, chopped, or shredded.
My jicama salad turned out excellent using green apple instead of jicama! The apple’s acidity and crispness complemented the lime dressing.
- Rutabaga
A root vegetable with a jicama-like texture and flavor. It can work as a replacement for jicama in slaws, soups, and stews.
To mimic jicama’s texture in a salad or slaw, grate or thinly slice rutabaga.
You can also try some of these rutabaga substitutes for more ideas and health benefits.
- Sweet potatoes
Mildly sweet, rich in dietary fiber and vitamin A, and low in calories, sweet potatoes are a healthy addition to any diet.
They can work as an alternative to jicama in some recipes. Sweet potatoes need to be cooked before eating; bake them whole or cut them into cubes for roasting or boiling.
You can discover sweet potato substitutes here if you’re looking for more similar ingredients. And if you’re looking into Latin American cooking in general, you will definitely be interested in our favorite alternatives to masa harina.
Alternatives to jicama FAQs
Most supermarkets sell jicama in the produce area. You can also find it in local farmers’ markets, specialized stores, and online.
Jicama is crisp and juicy like apples and pears, with a mild, sweet taste. It also has a nutty taste that many people find earthy.
Jicama slaw, jicama fries, jicama salad, jicama stir-fry, and jicama chips are some of the best jicama recipes to try.
BOTTOM LINE: Daikon radish, water chestnuts, and turnips are good substitutes for jicama when you can’t get it. Try these replacements in your next recipe — you may discover a new favorite ingredient!
I hope you’ve found your perfect jicama substitute. Share your favorite recipes in the comments!