Lately I’ve been on a mission to eat more veggies, and I’ve been on such a jicama kick! I’m always craving crunchy foods, so I love that jicama is extra crisp and refreshing at the same time. Such a perfect veggie for summer!
If you’re unfamiliar with jicama, I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll share a few quick facts as well as 12 recipes to inspire you to experiment with jicama this summer.
Jicama is a root vegetable that shares the same color and shape as a turnip, but is about 2-3 times the size. It has weathered brown skin (to be peeled before eating) that covers a white flesh, with a texture similar to that of a water chestnut or crisp pear.
Some people describe the taste of jicama similar to that of an apple, but more neutral and certainly less sugary. Nutritionally speaking, jicama is much lower in carbohydrates than a potato. A 1/2 cup of raw jicama is 25 calories with less than 6 grams of total carbohydrates. It is also rich in fiber (with 3 grams per serving) and vitamin C (20 percent of the recommended daily intake!).
You sure can – raw jicama is amazing. I read somewhere that it’s like a savory apple, and I’d say that’s pretty spot on! Just be sure to peel the skin off first before consuming. I personally love it raw and have been reaching for it often lately instead of carrot sticks as an afternoon snack – I love dipping it in hummus or chopping it up for salads.
Pro tip: you can find pre-chopped jicama sticks at Trader Joe’s and Kroger. A little more expensive, but so convenient.
Yes! I’m obsessed with jicama fries, but you can also bake it whole like a potato, slice it into chips and bake it, or chop it into cubes for stir-fry, stews and soups.
Are you convinced to try it yet? I hope so — now it’s time for those 12 jicama recipes!
Do you love jicama? How do you like to eat it? Please share any of your favorite recipes below.
20 Best Ways to Cook Jicama
These jicama recipes are light, crispy, and make great side dishes! From fries to salad to chips, this potato-like veggie is just too good.
Ingredients:
- Jicama Salad
- Baked Jicama Fries with Olive Oil and Paprika
- Jicama Pico de Gallo
- Avocado Cucumber Jicama Salad
- Fresh Jicama Tortillas
- Vegan Oven-Baked Chipotle Jicama Fries with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Black Bean Jicama Tacos with Chipotle Cream
- Jicama and Strawberry Salad
- Mango Jicama Slaw
- Citrus Kale Salad with Avocado and Jicama
- Jícama Salad with Oranges and Watercress
- Citrus Herb Jicama Chips
- Colorful Jicama Noodle Salad with Creamy Tahini-Ginger Dressing
- Black Bean Salad with Jicama
- Mango Avocado Salad
- Chile and Lime Infused Jicama Sticks
- Jicama Fries in the Air Fryer
- Thai Jicama u0026amp; Red Onion Salad
- Tomato Jicama Salad with Mango u0026amp; Jalapeños
- Watermelon Salad with Cotija, Jicama, and Lime
Instruction:
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a jicama recipe in 30 minutes or less!
Baked Jicama Fries with Olive Oil and Paprika
Jicama fries are so delicious. They make a great low-carb alternative to starchy potato French fries.
Prep: 15min
Total: 55min
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 0.5 recipe
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 0.5 recipe, calories 165 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 14 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Sodium 285 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 2 g
Ingredients:
- 1 (1 lb.) raw jicama
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instruction:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a ceramic rimmed baking dish (such as a 9 X 13 -inch baking dish).
- Peel the jicama and cut it into 1/4-inch-thick fries. Or use pre-sliced jicama strips (available at Whole Foods and in many supermarkets).
- Place the jicama strips in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and microwave for 8 minutes, stopping once to gently stir. If I use a large jicama I sometimes microwave it for up to 10 minutes total, as shown in the video. But 8 minutes is usually enough.
- Using oven mittens, remove the bowl from the microwave. Be careful when removing the cover – hot steam will escape. Remove the jicama strips to paper towels to dry.
- In a large bowl, toss the partially-cooked jicama fries with the olive oil and the spices. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake until browned and tender-crisp, about 40 minutes.
How to Cook Jicama
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