Watermelon radish is one of the most beautiful vegetables out there and tastes delicious when tried with a bit of salt. It is also known as roseheart and red meat and can be used in roasted, slaw, and pickled forms. In addition, it has a bit of peppery flavor along with a sweet flavor. However, it can be challenging to find at times, which is why we are sharing some substitutes that can be tried out!
Watermelon Radish Substitute To Try!
- Celery
First of all, it’s needless to say that celery won’t have the radish flavor and is only suitable if you want to add crunch to the recipe. Having said that, if your recipe already has various flavors and you want to enhance the crispness, celery is a perfect choice. The best thing about celery is that it won’t change the recipe’s flavor and will add low-calorie bulk to your meal while offering a snapping tone.
- Daikon Radish
The Daikon radish usually looks like a bleached carrot. As far as the flavor is concerned, it has a mild flavor, but it’s sweet. It has a starchy texture, and the fiber level is quite low. In simpler words, it’s only suitable if you want to replicate the texture of watermelon radish.
- Fire & Ice Radish
This is a delicate item and adds a bit of color and mild flavor to the food. Fire and ice radish is not very peppery, but there are undertones of pepper. It can be consumed in cooked, pickled, and raw forms. It is basically a starchy radish, and the texture is similar to potatoes. In addition to using them as a substitute for watermelon radish, you can sprinkle them on tacos, but it’s best to try them before to make sure it complements your flavor palette.
- Green Meat Radish
Contrary to what the name says, the green meat radish doesn’t have a bright color, and many people think that it looks like cucumbers. However, it’s related to daikon radish and has milder flesh. It has a spicy kick, which has become more prominent. In fact, there is a bit of sweetness, which will be loved by watermelon radish. On top of everything, it is available in the pickled form, and you can use the raw radish in cooking and salads.
- Hida Beni
It is basically a turnip that’s similar to daikon radish and has a sweet yet mild flavor. The flavor is similar to watermelon radish, but it doesn’t have the kick. It can be used in pickled as well as raw forms, and what we love about this vegetable is the color it adds to the recipe. In particular, it has a red exterior and white flesh with red streaks. Keep in mind that the red color is extremely sharp, so make sure you don’t end up staining your clothes.
- Jicama
Truth be told, it has less kick as compared to watermelon radish, but it has more fiber. In addition, it has slight sweetness as well as a crunchy texture. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that jicama’s texture is similar to pears and has an appearance of a turnip. It can be roasted, fried, or used raw, and many people turn it into soups as well. However, it doesn’t matter how you want to use jicama; you must peel the exterior skin. On top of everything, it has an abundance of vitamin C and prebiotic fiber.
- Korean Radish
These radishes are similar to daikon and have a great flavor and texture. These radishes have a green hue, but you won’t find the redness. Having said that, you can add a few red radishes to add color to the recipe. In addition, adding red radish will enhance the sharpness.
- Parsnip
When it comes down to parsnip, its texture is similar to watermelon radish and has a bit of sweetness. Many people miss the spicy kick, but there is a bit of peppery flavor. For this reason, if you want to enhance the peppery flavor, it’s recommended that you add mustard or extra pepper to create a robust flavor.
Overall, these are some substitutes that you can try to replace watermelon radish. There might be a slight difference in the appearance, but the flavor and crunch will be there!