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Home » Knowledge

Sunchoke Substitutes - 3 Recommended Options

Nate TeagueWritten by Nate Teague · Updated on September 29, 2023

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The sunchoke is a species of sunflower that looks a lot like ginger. It is also known as sunroot, earth apple, or Jerusalem artichoke. The edible part of the plant is a tuber, which can be eaten like a root vegetable. When consumed raw, the sunchoke is crispy in texture and offers a mild, nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

sunchokes jerusalem arichoke tubers

Depending on the season, sunchokes can be challenging to find on the supermarket shelf. You may want to consider leaving them out of your recipe if they're a small part of the dish. It's flavor is quite subtle and won't mess with the overall recipe; too much is omitted. Still looking for a suitable sunchoke substitute? We have some excellent options, so keep reading.

Related Post:
What do artichokes taste like? Get all the details.

Table of Contents
  • Recommended Substitutes for Sunchoke
  • How to Prepare Sunchokes
  • How to Make Sunchoke Puree
  • 9 Recommended Sunchoke Seasonings
  • How to Make Sunchoke Soup
  • Nutrition in 1 Cup of Sliced Sunchoke
  • Roasted Sunchoke Recipe
  • Sunchoke Season
  • Watch How to Harvest Sunchokes
  • Summing Up

Recommended Substitutes for Sunchoke

got no sunchokes

Whichever one you choose, if the recipe calls for one cup of sunchoke, use the same quantity of the replacement.

1. Jicama

a bowl of fresh jicama or bengkoang

Jicama is a crunchy vegetable that has a sweet flavor similar to the sweet potato. It is a mild vegetable that will work well in any recipe that calls for the use of sunchokes. The biggest challenge with jicama is that it can be hard to find in major supermarkets. Instead, visit Asian grocers, who will usually have this item if it's in season.

2. Artichoke Hearts

artichoke hearts whole and sliced

Artichokes hearts look a lot different than the sunchokes. But their flavors are remarkably similar. The main difference is that artichokes hearts have a much softer texture, so you wouldn't use them in recipes that call for raw sunchokes.

3. Water chestnuts

water chestnuts whole peeled and sliced

Water chestnuts have a mild, sweet flavor and a crispy texture. Their neutral taste allows them to fit into many recipes. If the dish you're cooking is all sunchokes, then you wouldn't want to replace them with chestnuts. Water chestnuts are best used as an additional ingredient for meals like stir-fries.

How to Prepare Sunchokes

Sunchokes can be peeled like potatoes, using a peeler or paring knife. Leaving the skins on is also an option if you like adding texture to your dish. You'll find that the skins have the most flavor, which some will find overwhelming.

sunchoke uses
Sunchokes are a versatile ingredient.

How to Make Sunchoke Puree

Sunchoke puree is quick and easy and is the perfect side to serve with seared scallops.

sunchoke puree recipe

Sunchoke Puree

Sunchoke puree is quick and easy and is the perfect side to serve with seared scallops.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 17 minutes mins
Total Time 17 minutes mins
Course Condiments, Ingredient
Cuisine International
Servings 2 cups
Calories 274 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • ½ cup leeks thinly sliced
  • salt and pepper to season
  • 2 cups sunchokes peeled and sliced thinly
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • squeeze of lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Add butter to a saucepan on a medium heat. Once butter is melted, add the sliced leeks and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the leeks are tender.
  • Add the sunchokes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Reduce heat to low then stir in the cream and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Scoop sunchokes into a blender or food processor and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Process until smooth.
  • Serve on a plate with a seared scallop on top and some chopped chives as a garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 63mgPotassium: 713mgFiber: 3gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 1013IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 6mg
Keyword Jerusalem artichokes, sunchoke puree, sunchokes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

9 Recommended Sunchoke Seasonings

  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Garlic
  • Sage
  • Parsley
  • Nutmeg
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Chili

How to Make Sunchoke Soup

Sunchoke soup recipe
sunchoke soup recipe

Sunchoke Soup

Try this recipe for a soul-warming sunchoke soup—a delightful comfort food to chase the chills away.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine International
Servings 4 servings
Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 stalk celery chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic
  • 1 lb sunchokes washed and sliced
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • ½ cup cream
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 4 sprigs rosemary
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan then add onion, celery, and garlic and cook until softened.
  • Add sunchokes and stock, bring to boil then simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to process or add to a food processor. Once combined, add cream, parsley and butter then season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve in soup bowls with a garnish of rosemary.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 4gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 1001mgPotassium: 659mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1187IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Jerusalem artichokes, sunchoke soup, sunchokes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Nutrition in 1 Cup of Sliced Sunchoke

Calories109
Protein3g
Fat0g
Saturated Fat0g
Monosaturated Fat0g
Carbohydrates26g
Sugar14g
Fiber2g

Nutritional facts Source.

A quick warning
Sunchokes contain inulin. When humans ingest it, the result is gas. How it affects us can vary from person to person. We recommend eating this vegetable in small doses. Say no more.

Roasted Sunchoke Recipe

roasted sunchokes jerusalem artichoke recipe

Roasted Sunchokes

This recipe is good for four. Sunchokes contain inulin, which produces gas. Thus, it's recommended that you consume this vegetable in small amounts.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Sides
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 146 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb sunchokes washed and thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ cup continental parsley chopped finely
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Set oven to 425° F and position the rack in the center of the oven.
  • Mix the sunchokes, oil, and seasoning with your hands until well combined.
  • Place the sunchoke pieces on a lined oven tray. Avoid double stacking the slices.
  • Cook for 20 minutes, turning them after 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool before adding to a bowl.
  • Garnish with parsley and serve with a splash of olive oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 146kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 507mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 339IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Jerusalem artichokes, roasted sunchokes, sunchokes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sunchoke Season

In North America, the peak season is October through to April, although they are available year-round.

Handy tip: If you have decided to grow sunchokes then they'll deliver the best taste! Dig them up after a frost to harvest them at a point that locks in their delicious flavor.

Watch How to Harvest Sunchokes

Summing Up

Sunchokes look like a cross between ginger and potato and are perfect for soups, casseroles, roasting or puree. Are you looking for a decent substitute for sunchoke? Three suitable options are jicamas, artichoke hearts, and water chestnuts. They won't mimic the taste and texture perfectly, but they're a close fit.

If sunchokes are a small part of the whole recipe, then you may want to consider leaving them out without a replacement. Sunchokes are a mild ingredient, and omitting them won't have a big impact on the dish.

What is your favorite ingredient to use as an alternative to sunchoke? Let us know in the comments below.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barabara Allen

    October 25, 2024 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    I made the sunchoke soup and added part of a leek to block some of the nutty flavor for my husband and it was fabulous. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

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Nate Teague

Nate Teague is a food writer who has been working in the food industry for the past decade. He writes for various cooking blogs and has a passion for making fine dining recipes accessible to the at-home cook.

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