9 Best Daikon Radish Substitutes With Images

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Daikin radish is root vegetable also known as Japanese radish, Chinese radish and white radish. It is mostly popular in Asian and Japanese cuisines. Although unlike other vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower, Daikin radish might not be readily available in the market all the therefore you might need to look for an alternative to substitute daikon radish in your dish. In today’s post, we will talk about the most common Daikin Radish substitute that you can use if Daikin Radish is not available.

Daikon Radish Substitutes

Since Daikin radish flavor flavor is sweet and spicy flavor, although it has a crunchy texture Daikin Radish tends to soften when it is cooked. So, when looking for the best daikon radish substitute, make sure to choose the ones that have the same texture and more or less have the same flavor as that of Daikin Radish.

How do you choose Substitute for Daikon radish?

Since there are different substitutes that you can choose from, deciding on which substitute depends on the dish that you want to make. It can also depend on one’s personal preferences in terms of taste.

When choosing a substitute for Daikon radish, you need to consider these:

  • If you are looking for an alternative that is close to daikon as possible, you can choose substitutes such as red radish, horseradish sauce, and beetroot.
  • If you are looking for an alternative because you are looking for another flavor, you can choose substitutes such as white turnips, Jicama, Parsnips, cabbage and carrots.

Turnips

Turnips are root vegetables that has a similar flavor than Daikon radish wherein it also has a crunchy texture and has a mild flavor, and they are both similar in appearance making turnip a great Daikon radish alternatives. Although the flavor of Turnips might not be ideal for dishes that usually requires a strong flavor, you might want use White turnips instead.

Turnips nutritional benefits is the same as that of Daikon radish that are rich in antioxidants and includes nutrients such as iron, magnesium, folate, Phosphorus, copper, zinc, high fiber and a good source of Vitamin C.

Turnips as an alternative to Daikin radish are used in dishes such as soups and stews. Turnips can also be eaten raw when added to salads.


Jicama

Jicama is a vegetable also known for as Mexican Turnip, Mexican Potato and Yam Bean. Jicama is another great daikon radish replacemnet because they have the same sweet and mild flavor and crunchy texture, though Jicama also has a nutty flavor. Although both their flavor slightly differs as Jicama’s tend to be more stingy as that of Daikon Radish

Jicama is mostly eaten raw when added to salads but you can also choose other cooking options such as sauteed, boiled , steamed and fried.

Jicama are found in Asian supermarkets and grocery stores.


Red Radish or Pink Radish

Radish is one versatile vegetable. It comes in different colors such as red radish, white radish and purple radish that can also be used as an alternative to Daikon radish.

It has the same texture as that of Daikon radish. When it comes to its flavor and taste, Daikon radish is usually mild while red radishes tend to have a strong flavor.


Korean Radish

Korean radishes are shorter, fatter and rounder than Daikon radish. It has a sweet and pepper flavor.

Korean radish works well when used in stews, stir fries, and soups. Although Korean radish can also be eaten raw when added to salads .


Parsnip

Parsnip are root vegetable that is related to carrots and parsley. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor that typically turns more sweet when it is cooked similar to Daikon radish. Using Parsnip as an alternative to Daikon radish will make the dish sweet.

It works well when used in stews, casseroles and soup, but they can also be eaten raw. The dish with parsnip will taste even better when it is baked, fried, steamed, roasted or boiled.


Cabbage hearts

Cabbage hearts has a mild flavored leaf although not as strong as Daikon radish flavor but it has the same texture as that of Daikon after it is finely chopped making it an excellent substitute daikon radishes.

It is recommended to harvest cabbage hearts when it is still young. Just keep it at room temperature and can lasts for up to 3 days, and lasts up to 2 weeks when refrigerated.

It is usually eaten raw when added to salads, pickled but can also be added to soups, stir fries and casseroles as well. Using Cabbage as Daikon radish replacement may not have the same daikon radish taste but its crunchy texture will be the same


Horseradish Root

Horseradish root is a condiment that is popularly used for in hotdogs and hamburgers. You can use Horseradish root to replace daikon radish because both has the same peppery flavor and if you want your dish to be flavorful.

Aside from that, it also has a strong spicy flavor. Although then horseradish is exposed to the air for a longer period of time if will turn into bitter flavor.

It is used well in meat and vegetables dishes, sauces and dresses as well as in potato salad.


Beetroot

Beetroots are root vegetables that can also be used as a substitute daikon radish. It is a red colored vegetable with sweet and earthy flavor. It is easily available and access in supermarkets and grocery stores any time but Beetroot is more harvested during summer.

Beetroot has the same shapes as that to turnips and radishes. You can eat Beetroot raw in salads but also goes well when steamed, baked, boiled, fried and grilled.


Carrots

Carrots comes in different colors such as yellow, white, purple and red although the orange colored carrots is the most popular and and widely used.

Carrots can be used as a substitute for daikon radish if you are looking for an alternative with the same texture although not as strong taste as that of Daikon flavor.

Using carrots as an alternative will get a result of a dish with a crunchy texture yet sweeet and earthy taste.


FAQs

Why do you need to replace Daikon radish?

Daikon radish is not always available in the market and grocery stores. Therefore if you are making a dish that requires Daikon radish, this is where the substitutes comes in. Substitute should have the same flavor and texture as that of Daikon radish.

What is the difference between regular radish and daikon radish?

Regular radish and Daikon are different in their sizes, flavor and shape. Daikon radishes has a sweet flavor and a little bigger than the regular radish.

Are Turnips and Daikon the same?

Daikon radish and Turnips are not the same, although both belong to the same family.

What is the difference between Daikon radish and Korean Radish?

Daikon radish appears to be longer and has a white color with a sweet flavor, while Korean radish on the other hand is rounder, shorter with a green color on its head.

Is Parsnip the same as Daikon radish?

Parsnip is not the same as Daikon radish. While both are root vegetable, daikon radish belongs to the Brassicaceae family whilst Parsnip belongs to the Parsley family Apiaceae.

What is Daikon Radish shelf life?

Like most of the vegetables, it will also expire. Daikon radish usually lasts for about 2 weeks if it is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If Daikon radish is placed in a freezer, its shelf life also increases.

When Daikon radish are cut into smaller pieces, then blanching it in boiling water for about 2 to 3 minutes, then sealed. It typically lasts longer for about 2 to 3 months.

Conclusion

Daikon radish is a vegetable that can be used and goes well in different dishes. But, if at some point you do not have Daikon radish available on hand you can choose from the lists of the best daikon radish substitute listed in this article.

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