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18 Substitutes for Parsnips

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Sliced Parsnips
You can use other vegetables except for parsnips in making delicious dishes.

What is the best substitute for parsnips? A question that you can see on many social networking forums about food. Because of their importance and fantastic flavor, parsnips play an essential role in making yummy and beautiful dishes.

Nowadays, many people are looking for suitable parsnips alternatives to replace them in case of running out of them. Moreover, your veggie ingredients will become diverse. Fill your material book with the substitutes below.

In Place Of Parsnips, You Can Choose One Of Them

If you are actively seeking an alternative to parsnips to use in your weekend meal recipes, you can pick up from the list of 18 parsnips replacements.

Parsnips AlternativesProportions
1. Radish1 parts radish = 1 parts parsnips
2. Orange Carrot1 part of orange carrot = 1 part of parsnips
3. White Carrot1 part of white carrot = 1 part of parsnips
4. CeleryAdd a little, check the taste, and increase if needed
5. Salsify1 part of salsify = 1 part of parsnips
6. Celery root (celeriac)2 parts of celery root = 1 part of parsnips
7. Kohlrabi4 grams of kohlrabi + 1 gram of turnips = 1 gram of parsnips
8. Turnips1 part of turnips = 1 part of parsnips
9. Arracacha (Peruvian Parsnip)2 parts of arracacha = 1 part of parsnips
10. Parsley Root1 part of parsley root = 1 part of parsnips
11. Daikon RadishAdd a little, check the taste, and increase if needed
12. Rutabaga1 part of rutabaga = 1 part of parsnips
13. Jicama1 part of jicama = 1 part of parsnips
14. Butternut SquashAdd a little, check the taste, and increase if needed
15. BeetsAdd a little, check the taste, and increase if needed
16. PotatoAdd a little, check the taste, and increase if needed
17. Sweet Potato1 part of sweet potato = 1 part of parsnips
18. Zucchini1 part of zucchini = 1 part of parsnips

What Did You Know About Parsnips?

Roasted Parsnips
You can make many fantastic dishes with the full flavor of parsnips.

Parsnips were first found in Eurasia. Parsnip is a white tuber vegetable in the family Apiaceae. Nowadays, parsnips are commonly used in cuisine to create dishes with distinctive and attractive flavors.

The taste of parsnips goes well with many different types of dishes. You can make warm soups with parsnips or incorporate them in baked, stewed, and boiled plates. Alternatively, fried words with parsnips are also a viable option.

The shape of parsnip resembles carrots. The difference in the appearance of these two vegetables is the skin. The peel of parsnips is thinner than the crust of carrots. The characteristic sweetness of parsnips will make you think of the taste of honey.

When tasting parsnips, you will have the chance to enjoy the nutty and earthy taste of parsnips. Parsnips have a complicated flavor with many different tastes. You can think of the flavor of carrots when consuming parsnips.

Copy These Substitutes To Your Cookbook Now

It is easy to pick up one of 18 fantastic alternatives to add to your recipes. Do not worry about the quality of dishes when using substitutes. I have checked, and I guarantee they will not let you down.

1. Radish – Easy-To-Find Replacement

Sliced Radishes
You can easily find radish at all supermarkets worldwide.

Radish is the first suggestion I want to bring to you because of the similarity in taste between radish and parsnips. You can easily find radish all over the world. Moreover, radish is also an ingredient that is friendly to your health.

You can use radish in place of parsnips to make salads and sauces. In addition, you can also combine it with roasted meat and other vegetables for a variety of flavors. You should try eating raw radish, and you will be amazed at its taste.

There are different types of radish. If you use white radish, the dish will have a mild spicy taste because white radish is more pungent than other types of radish. You should replace 1 part of parsnips with 1 part of radish.

Strengthen knowledge with all information about radish.

Watch this video: Healthy radish recipes

2. Orange Carrots – Best Choice For Parsnips Replacement

Organic Carrots
Orange carrots will bring delicious flavor and beautiful color to recipes.

If you do not know what to do when running out of parsnips, the orange carrots will help you solve your problems. There is no doubt about the effectiveness of orange carrots in dishes. Eating raw orange carrots also feels awesome.

The color of the orange carrots will add accents to the dishes. The orange carrots will replace parsnips to bring the sweetness of vegetables and crunchiness to recipes. I always have a headache choosing whether to bake, stew, or boil orange carrots.

. All dishes, from main dishes to desserts, are delicious with carrots. You should gradually add orange carrots to the dishes to replace parsnips. Using 1 part of orange carrots instead of 1 part of parsnips will promote all substitute values.

3. White Carrot – Another type Of Carrots

White Carrot
The sweet and bitter taste of white carrots are perfect complements to your foods.

Besides orange carrots, you can also choose another type of carrot to replace parsnips, which is white carrots. There is no reason why you can refuse white carrots. Unlike the bright orange color of orange carrots, white carrots have a gentle white color.

The taste of white carrots is a mixture of sweet and bitter. White carrots are used less often than orange carrots. Thanks to their similar taste and texture, white carrots can be substituted for parsnips in soups, curries, stews, and baked goods.

White carrots will give the dish a flavor and color similar to parsnips. Even the taste of white carrots is said to be sweeter than orange carrots. It is best to use 1 part of white carrots to substitute 1 part of parsnips.

4. Celery – The Same Family Option

Celery Leaves
It is a wise choice when choosing celery instead of parsnips.

It is awesome to enjoy the signature scent and flavor of celery in the dishes. Add celery to recipes when you do not have parsnips in the kitchen because its flavor and aroma resemble parsnips.

The use of celery in cooked dishes is all too common . It is also widely used in smoothies and snacks that require low calories content. The crispy texture of celery also pairs well with salads, stewed, braised, or stuffed recipes, and so on.

Let’s learn how to cut, wash, and prepare celery correctly.

Watch this video: Paring, washing and cutting celery

5. Salsify – Famous Substitute In Europe

Fresh Salsify
I love the characteristic oyster’s taste of salsify.

Salsify is a popular ingredient in Europe. It has the same flesh color and texture as parsnips. Inside the brown shell is the flesh with color. You will have trouble with its dense skin when prepping, so it is a good idea to soak it in cold water before removing the skin.

When you eat salsify, you will think of oysters because its taste is similar to the oyster’s flavor. Moreover, the taste of salsify also resembles the flavor of artichoke. Using a substitution ratio of 1:1 to replace parsnips.

It is suitable to be added to curries and sauces because its salty taste outweighs the sweetness. It is also found in many soups, baked, deep-fried, and steamed dishes. The flavors of salsify can pair with a variety of dishes, so you can unleash your creativity.

6. Celery Root (Celeriac) – Rich Nutrients Replacement

Celery Root
If you are looking for a rich nutrients substitute, celery root is a key.

Celery root is the next vegetable that deserves to be on the list of alternatives to parsnips. In terms of color and texture, celery root resembles parsnips. Celery root also has a characteristic white color as well as an earthy and sweet flavor like parsnips.

Celery root has a gentle taste and a grapefruit-like appearance. Instead of using parsnips, you can use celery roots in soups and stewed dishes. In addition, you can also puree celery root or combine it with potato mash. Using a ratio of 1:1 is the correct amount.

7. Kohlrabi – Fantastic Addition To Your Dishes

White Kohlrabi
Increase the flavor of soups and sauces by adding kohlrabi.

Kohlrabi makes a good substitute for parsnips in soups and sauces. Kohlrabi was first grown in Europe. It will be a great option when you run out of parsnips. Kohlrabi is a type of turnip; it has a hard texture and is usually white.

When you taste kohlrabi, you will feel the similarity between its taste and radish, but it seems less spicy. The taste of old kohlrabi will be more intense but not as sweet as usual kohlrabi. You can eat kohlrabi raw or combine it with cooked dishes.

Kohlrabi is a fantastic alternative to parsnips in boiled, fried, grilled dishes and other wonderful recipes. You will feel the gentle sweetness and aroma from the plates with kohlrabi.

It is perfect to use a mixture of 4 grams kohlrabi and 1 gram turnip to substitute for 1 gram of parsnips in all dishes.

All fantastic things about kohlrabi will be revealed. Watch this video to know more:

Watch this video: Kohlrabi - What is it and How to Eat

8. Turnips – Hard-To-Find Ingredient But So Effective

Fresh Turnip
Your dishes will become delicious with the appearance of turnips.

You run out of parsnips when making salads, and you can substitute with turnips. Turnips contain many nutritional components that are good for your health. Turnips also have an attractive sweetness that is suitable to replace parsnips in many plates.

The flavor of turnips is pretty strong, so it is suitable for dishes that require intense and bold flavors. You should not choose turnip with large size and firm texture because it will create a bitter taste for the dishes.

You can eat turnips without cooking. Using it in salads, soups, and stewed recipes is a wise choice. With 1 part of parsnips, you should use 1 part of fresh turnips.

9. Arracacha (Peruvian Parsnips) – Another Type Of Parsnips

Peruvian Parsnips
Arracacha will replace parsnips to add flavor to dishes.

Arracacha has the same taste and texture as parsnips, so it would be a perfect alternative. Arracacha is widely grown in the Andes region. Arracacha is pretty rare in Western nations or places with cold climates.

It is possible to consume raw arracacha. You should bake, fry, or boil it to enjoy. Use arracachas to accompany other dishes or puree them. It is incredible to enjoy plates with fillings made from arracachas.

Its sweetness and characteristic scent make it an ideal addition to recipes..With 1 part of parsnips, you can substitute with 2 parts of arracacha.

10. Parsley Root – Similar Appearance Substitute

Roots Parsley
The same appearance and flavor of parsley root is the top criterion to substitute for parsnips.

The similarity in appearance of parsley roots and parsnips will make it difficult for you to tell them apart. In addition, they also have the same characteristic sweet taste. Therefore, parsley roots are a perfect replacement for parsnips.

I love the texture parsley root gives to the dish because it is no different than parsnips. If you feel it closely, you will find that parsley roots have a milder flavor than parsnips. Add sweetness and crispiness to baked and fried dishes with parsley roots.

You can use raw parsley roots for salads to bring freshness and sweetness to the dish. Also, enjoy soups or mashes with parsley roots for exciting effects. You should replace parsnips with parsley roots in a 1:1 ratio.

11. Daikon Radish – Adding Vitamin And Minerals To Your Recipes

Daikon Radish
Providing vitamins and minerals with daikon radish.

Daikon radishes are an alternative that you can easily find. Daikon radishes are suitable for parsnips in roasted recipes to create novel flavors and make dishes more flavorful. Also, incorporating daikon radishes in soups is a fantastic idea.

Besides adding flavor to dishes, daikon radishes contain many vitamins and nutrients beneficial to your health. Gentle sweetness and distinctive scent are the things that you can get when using daikon radishes.
Although the flavor of daikon radish is not a suitable choice to replace for parsnips, the crispy texture and color of daikon radish will be perfect to substitute for parsnips.

12. Rutabaga (Swedish Turnip) – Adding New Highlight To Recipes

Swedish Turnip
Using rutabaga instead of parsnips is a perfect way to save your dish.

Rutabaga is a type of sweet veggie with high nutrient content. Instead of parsnips, you can use rutabaga in fried, roasted, and baked dishes. Adding rutabaga to soups and sauces is a good combination. Its flavor is a combination of turnip and cabbage.

The raw rutabaga has a mild flavor with a sweet and salty taste. Moreover, after cooking, you can feel a little bitterness from a dish that contains rutabaga. It has the same taste as Yukon Gold potatoes.

Unlike the white color of parsnips, rutabaga will complement the yellow color of your recipes. I love the seductive sweetness of rutabaga. It is safe to consume raw rutabaga. Using 1 part rutabaga instead of 1 part parsnips is a good substitute ratio.

Learn the difference between rutabaga and turnips to distinguish them.

Watch this video: The Difference Between Turnip And Rutabaga

13. Jicama – A substitute Origins From Mexico

Raw Jicama
Diversify your cooking ingredients with jicama.

Jicama is a famous vegetable in Mexico. The shape and size of the jicama are similar to the turnip. Nowadays, jicama is also widely used in Asian countries. The flavor of jicama is a suitable alternative for parsnips in many different dishes.

Jicama has a thin crust and white flesh with a natural and gentle sweetness. You can slice jicama as a replacement for parsnips in fried dishes, salads, and more. Substituting jicama for parsnips in a 1:1 ratio is a good choice.

14. Butternut Squash – Fantastic Vegetable For Winter

Butternut Squash
I hope you will be satisfied with the flavor of the dish with butternut squash.

You will love the attractive flavor and gentle sweetness of butternut squash in your dishes. You might think of pumpkin taste when you eat butternut squash. You can combine butternut squash with pumpkin spice to increase the sweetness of the plates.

The distinctive flavor and soft texture of butternut squash is a perfect substitute for parsnips in many dishes, such as soups, meat dishes, or other vegetables for various flavors. Use a small amount of butter squash, and increase as you deem necessary.

15. Beets – Rich Source Of Fiber Substitute

Fresh Beetroot
I can find the flavor of beets in yummy smoothies and roasted dishes.

If you cannot find parsnips at the supermarket, you can use beets to substitute for parsnips. In general, the sweetness is a typical taste of beets. It is suitable for people who want to lose weight, thanks to its high fiber content.

The high fiber content and mild sweetness of beets make a perfect addition to smoothies, fried, and roasted dishes. It is a healthy vegetable because it helps you digest easier and limit diseases related to the heart and brain.

Watch this video to know more:

Watch this video: Know about the health benefits of eating beets regularly

16. Potato – It Is A Perfect Choice For Starch Lovers

Russet Potatoes
You can combine potatoes in many different dishes to create fantastic tastes.

If you want an alternative ingredient that can fill your hungry stomach instantly, you should not miss potatoes. The soft and spongy texture of the potato will make you fall in love with it. Its mild flavor will pair well with many dishes.

You can replace parsnips with potatoes in main courses or desserts. Cakes with potatoes will bring incredible experiences. Cooking soups with potatoes, making sauces, or frying potatoes for a snack are all perfect options.

17. Sweet Potato – A Replacement With Seductive Sweetness

Sweet Potatoes
The sweetness of sweet potatoes will stimulate your taste buds.

Sweet potato is a popular ingredient in cuisine. It is easy to find sweet potatoes at all supermarkets around the world. I love to enjoy the softness and seductive sweetness of sweet potatoes in many dishes.

Sweet potatoes have two variations with the difference of skin color. You should choose thick peel sweet potatoes because their flavor resembles parsnips. Sweet potatoes are the best choice to replace parsnips in baked, stewed recipes.

Using 1 part of sweet potato instead of 1 part of parsnips for adding to salads, soups, accompaniments with fish and various types of meat, or mashed dishes is a reasonable selection.

18. Zucchini – A Flexible Parsnips Replacement

Fresh Zucchini
Do not worry about the flavor of dishes with zucchini.

Zucchini has a soft texture and a naturally mild flavor, so you can create countless delicious dishes with zucchini. If your recipe needs the taste of parsnips, you can use zucchini as an alternative.

The zucchini will give the dish a parsnips-like flavor. Its mild sweetness pairs well with stuffed or stirred dishes. Alternatively, you can also use 1 part zucchini in place of 1 part parsnips in appetizers.

Because its peel is inedible, you should peel the skin of zucchini before cooking. Chopped zucchini can be used in many recipes to increase their flavor.

Learn some fantastic recipes that you can use zucchini.

Watch this video: How I Cooked 10 Pounds Of Zucchini

Further Information About The Good Effects Of Parsnips

Parsnip Potato
Like other vegetables, parsnips will always be a top option to protect your health.

Protect your health by eating parsnips because of their nutritional components. There are many practical nutritional elements in parsnips. It is time to discover specific health characteristics of parsnips.

Vegetables like parsnips will contain many different nutrients for the growth of the body. Essential components, such as vitamins, fiber, and other crucial nutrients. Parsnips have a lot of healthy vitamins C and K.

Nutritional ComponentsValues
Calories100 Kcal
Carbs24 grams
Fiber6.5 grams
Protein1.5 grams
Fat0.5 grams
Vitamin C25% of the Reference Daily Intake
Vitamin E13% of the Reference Daily Value
Vitamin K25% of the Reference Daily Value
Folate22% of the Reference Daily Value
Magnesium10% of the Reference Daily Value
Thiamine10% of the Reference Daily Value
Phosphorus8% of the Reference Daily Value
Vitamin B67% of the Reference Daily Value

Besides being high in nutrients, parsnips are also a source of antioxidant properties. This helps prevent cancer (1), diabetes, and heart-related diseases.

The fiber content of parsnips makes digestion more manageable and helps control blood sugar (2). In addition, fiber also limits inflammation.

Vegetables that are low in calories and high in fiber are perfect for your weight loss regimen. Vitamin C plays an essential role in improving the immune system. Parsnips contain a lot of vitamin C.

FAQs

Add new knowledge with these answers to questions about the substitute for parsnips. I believe you will learn many things from this section.

Are parsnips healthier than potatoes?

Parsnips and potatoes both bring value to your health. Both contain the same nutritional ingredients. However, parsnips are slightly better than potatoes since the calories content of parsnips is less than potatoes and high in protein and vitamin C.

Are parsnips better than carrots?

Both parsnips and carrots contain many vitamins that are good for your health, such as vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin K, vitamin C, and so on. However, parsnips contain more fiber, which is better for digestion and weight loss.

What vegetable looks like a parsnip?

I find salsify the most similar in appearance to parsnip in the list of parsnips substitutes, especially without the peel. They have the same textured white flesh layer. I used to be confused when choosing them.

Can I use baby carrots to substitute for parsnips?

You can use baby carrots to replace parsnips. Like other carrots, baby carrots also have a natural and gentle sweetness. The texture and taste of baby carrots are similar to parsnips, so it is a viable alternative.

Is daikon and parsnip the same?

Despite their similar appearance, daikons and parsnips have different flavors. Daikon has less sweetness than parsnips. The taste of daikons is similar to that of red radish, and the water content of daikons is more than parsnips.

Do You Love These Alternatives?

Have you ever tried substituting parsnips with any alternative in this list? Why don’t you choose one and use it for today’s recipes? Each substitute will have its flavor and use, so you need to select reasonable alternatives for each recipe.

I love to change the ingredients in cooking to create fantastic flavors. Do you have the same hobby as me? If yes, do it right now! And, do not forget to like and share this article. It would be great if I could receive contributed opinions from you. Thanks for reading!

Substitute For Parsnips

Ingredients

  • Radish

  • Orange Carrot

  • White Carrot

  • Celery

  • Salsify

  • Celery Root (celeriac)

  • Kohlrabi

  • Turnips

  • Arracacha (Peruvian Parsnip)

  • Parsley Root

  • Daikon Radish

  • Rutabaga

  • Jicama

  • Butternut Squash

  • Beets

  • Potato

  • Sweet Potato

  • Zucchini

References

  1. What are free radicals, a., & antioxidants?. (2021). Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/antioxidants-fact-sheet
  2. Dietary Fiber. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/dietaryfiber.html

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Amanda Collins

Amanda Collins

Founder and Senior Culinary Editor

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Culinary Arts and Management, Food Journalism and Critique, Recipe Development and Testing, Global Culinary Traditions, Sustainable Food Practices

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Focus: Practical culinary skills, including cooking techniques, menu planning, and kitchen operations, with an emphasis on hands-on experience and industry standards.


Amanda Collins is a seasoned chef and food editor with a deep love for global flavors. Trained at the Institute of Culinary Education and Monroe College, and with over 15 years in the culinary field, Amanda has refined her skills in kitchens worldwide. Her background in food studies gives her a unique ability to share both recipes and the cultural stories that shape them.

As senior culinary editor at thebreslin.com, Amanda’s work brings authentic dishes to life, inviting readers to explore new flavors and techniques from around the globe. Her approachable style makes it easy for anyone to bring a bit of the world’s cuisine into their kitchen.

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