21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (2024)

Table of Contents

How to Choose & Prepare Taro Root 1. Taro Soup with Arugula and Turkey Meatballs 2. Crispy Taro Fries (Baked, Fried, or Air Fryer) 3. Taro Milk Tea 2 Ways (with Fresh Taro or Powder) 4. Homemade Taro Paste 5. Taro Buns 6. Taro Ice Cream 7. Best Taro and Sweet Potato Balls 8. Cha Gio Chay (Vegetarian Spring Rolls) 9. Sago Soup With Taro 10. Instant Pot Kulolo 11. Sweet & Savory Salted Egg Taro Dumplings 12. Taro Mochi with Taro Paste Filling 13. Taro Chips 14. Deep-Fried Sugared Taro 15. Sweet Taro Buns (Baked) 16. Cha Gio (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls with Taro) 17. Taro Fritters 18. Egyptian Kolkas – Taro Root Stew 19. Easy Pressure Cooker Braised Pork with Yam (Taro) 20. Taro Coconut Snowy Mooncakes 21. Simple Arbi Fry FAQs References

This collection of taro root recipes will inspire and delight you with the incredible versatility of the simple root vegetable. Discover cultural and creative ways to cook it that highlight a humble ingredient in delicious ways.

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (1)

Like most roots, taro is an ingredient that can be prepared in such an incredible range of ways that it’s pretty easy to fall in love with. It can become the creamiest mash, deliciously crispy chips, or a sweet dessert the whole family will love.

It’s also an ingredient that makes it easy to bring a little bit of world culture to your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for sweet, savory, traditional Hawaiian, Chinese, or Taiwanese dishes, or something fun and new, this taro recipe collection includes a bit of everything.

How to Choose & Prepare Taro Root

When you’ve been inspired by the huge range of taro recipes here, you’ll want to go buy some immediately. I created whole guides about what taro root is and how to cook it, but I wanted to share some quick tips if you’re eager to get cooking now.

Choose firm, hard roots that show no signs of bruising, mold, or other damage.
Use quickly, or store in a paper bag in a cool dark place for up to 5 days. Avoid the fridge which will make it soften more quickly.
The juices inside the raw root can irritate sensitive skin, so use gloves while peeling.
Taro root must always be peeled and cooked before eating! It can be toxic when consumed raw.

With these quick tips at hand you’ll be able to try out any of these taro root recipes with success. I hope you find a wide variety of sweet and savory cultural flavors to enjoy at home!

1. Taro Soup with Arugula and Turkey Meatballs

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This brothy taro soup recipe includes tender chunks of taro root, arugula, and flavorful turkey meatballs. It’s a warm cozy bowl that you’ll be happy to tuck into for lunch or dinner.

Recipe by: Yummy Addiction

2. Crispy Taro Fries (Baked, Fried, or Air Fryer)

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Crispy taro fries highlight the sweet natural nuttiness of root veggies in a delicious, golden brown bite. Herbs and spices season them to perfection, making them ideal for a snack or side dish.

Recipe by: Yummy Addiction

3. Taro Milk Tea 2 Ways (with Fresh Taro or Powder)

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You can make the widely popular taro milk tea right at home using either of my two easy methods. Sipping a sweet, refreshing glass is delicious, fun, and a treat the whole family will enjoy.

Recipe by: Yummy Addiction

4. Homemade Taro Paste

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Sweet taro paste is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make delicious beverages and desserts. The vegan, gluten free paste is very easy to make and can be stored long term for quick use.

Recipe by: Yummy Addiction

5. Taro Buns

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Easy homemade steamed sweet taro bun with taro paste. This taro bun recipe is authentic, fail-proof, and tastes just like Din Tai Fung.

Recipe by: Rasa Malaysia

6. Taro Ice Cream

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Delicious homemade taro root ice cream is the best treat! Also, taro ice cream is a classic and popular flavored among Asians. Beautiful violet and creamy taro ice cream recipe only has 4 simple ingredients.

Recipe by: Oh My Food Recipes

7. Best Taro and Sweet Potato Balls

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This classic Taiwanese treat is deliciously chewy and only needs a couple of ingredients. If you love boba, you’ll love these colorful “relatives” of boba.

Recipe by: Cooking in Chinglish

8. Cha Gio Chay (Vegetarian Spring Rolls)

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These homemade Cha Gio Chay are wrapped using ingredients like taro and cabbage for a nutty and sweet filling that you won’t find in stores!

Recipe by: Wok and Kin

9. Sago Soup With Taro

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This Sago Soup with Taro is the ultimate dessert fix. Creamy with taro, it’s perfect for cozy nights and uses just six ingredients!

Recipe by: Wok and Kin

10. Instant Pot Kulolo

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Kulolo or taro pudding is a classic Hawaiian dessert. Warm, chewy, rich, dark brown pieces of kulolo made easily in the comfort of your home using an Instant Pot.

11. Sweet & Savory Salted Egg Taro Dumplings

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A taro bun remade into tiny bite sized dumplings filled with buttery salted duck eggs, taro and lightly sweetened with condensed milk.

Recipe by: Pups with Chopsticks

12. Taro Mochi with Taro Paste Filling

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Soft and chewy homemade taro mochi made with taro powder and stuffed with homemade taro paste. Made completely from scratch, this Japanese inspired dessert tastes nutty, earthy and with a hint of vanilla!

Recipe by: SugarYums

13. Taro Chips

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This easy homemade taro chips recipe can be deep fried, baked, or made in the air fryer. Crispy, flavorful, and a healthy alternative to regular potato chips.

Recipe by: Keeping It Relle

14. Deep-Fried Sugared Taro

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This is an addictive taro snack that doesn’t take long to make and so good with a cup of tea!

Recipe by: Cooking with Nart

15. Sweet Taro Buns (Baked)

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Incredibly light sweet taro buns with a creamy taro root filling. Made with real taro root, these soft milk buns are extremely fragrant and have just the right amount of sweetness.

Recipe by: SugarYums

16. Cha Gio (Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls with Taro)

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This recipe features a delicious, savoury ground pork, veggie and taro root mixture wrapped up in thin wheat flour wrappers and deep fried to golden brown perfection.

Recipe by: Sift & Simmer

17. Taro Fritters

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Perfectly crispy fritters made with taro roots, carrots, garlic, and green onions. Served with a sweet chili sauce!

Recipe by: Full of Plants

18. Egyptian Kolkas – Taro Root Stew

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Egyptian kolkas is a delicious taro root stew made with a garlicky cilantro green sauce, taro, and homemade broth.

Recipe by: The Matbakh

19. Easy Pressure Cooker Braised Pork with Yam (Taro)

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Learn how to make this easy version of braised pork with yam (taro) in a pressure cooker. Tender pieces of pork belly and hearty yam in a fraction of the time.

Recipe by: What To Cook Today

20. Taro Coconut Snowy Mooncakes

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These snowy mooncakes are filled with a velvety taro and coconut mixture. The filling is encased in a soft and chewy wrapper that is coloured pink and purple to match.

Recipe by: Constellation Inspiration

21. Simple Arbi Fry

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Arbi (Taro root) cooked with Indian spices makes a simple side dish which is also vegan and gluten-free. Pair with dal, rice for a complete meal.

Recipe by: Cook With Manali

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (2024)

FAQs

Is taro sweet or savory? ›

Taro's sweet, potato-like flavor makes it a popular ingredient for both sweet and savory recipes: Egyptian kolkas feature the ingredient as a stew laden with garlic and cilantro, and Vietnamese chè khoai môn is a sweet taro pudding made with taro, sticky rice, and a hint of pandan.

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What is the difference between taro and taro root? ›

Taro is sometimes referred to as "taro root," too, but while we're getting technical, the part of the plant we eat that is grown underground (the leaves and leaf-stems are edible, too) is not the roots, but rather the corms and cormels.

What the heck is taro? ›

Taro is a food staple in African, Oceanic and South Asian cultures. People usually consume its edible corm and leaves. The corms, which have a light purple color due to phenolic pigments, are roasted, baked or boiled. The natural sugars give a sweet, nutty flavor.

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What is a substitute for taro in a recipe? ›

Sweet potato is likely the best substitute for taro root because of its similar sweet and nutty flavor.

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What are the disadvantages of taro root? ›

Another one of the top taro root disadvantages is its content of calcium oxalate, a naturally occurring compound that can build up in the body, triggering gout and contributing to kidney stones. Because of its oxalate content, eating raw taro can also irritate your throat and cause your mouth to feel numb.

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Is taro safe to eat? ›

Taro roots and leaves are poisonous when eaten raw because they contain calcium oxalate. Some taro varieties produce a slime that can cause irritation (usually itchiness when peeling). These issues are neutralized through cooking. Most cultures use taro as an accompaniment or foundation for proteins.

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Is taro root healthier than potato? ›

A one-cup serving has a third of your daily recommended intake of manganese, which contributes to good metabolism, bone health, and blood clotting. Its high levels of vitamins can also promote healthy vision, skin, circulation, and immune system function. Taro root has more than twice as much fiber as potatoes.

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Is taro root a laxative? ›

It has a laxative effect, effectively preventing constipation; Improves immune system: Taro is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, which help improve the body's immune system, preventing many dangerous diseases; Support treatment of kidney inflammation: Taro has a large content of vitamins and phosphorus, good ...

What is the English name for taro root? ›

Taro (Colocasia esculenta), also called eddo or dasheen, is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia that produces a starchy root vegetable with a brown outer skin and a white flesh with purple specks.

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Is taro good for high blood pressure? ›

Taro leaves also contain nitrates, which are essential for regulating blood pressure and maintaining heart health. Taro leaves contain very little fat (less than 1 gram in each cup) and no cholesterol. They're also a good source of dietary fiber.

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Can diabetics eat taro? ›

Roughly 12% of the starch in cooked taro root is resistant starch, making it one of the better sources of this nutrient ( 5 ). This combination of resistant starch and fiber makes taro root a good carb option — especially for people with diabetes ( 6 , 7 ).

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Does taro root cause gas? ›

Hence, for a healthy gastrointestinal tract, taro root, should be regularly consumed. . Healthy gut signifies a longer life span, hence, higher the Taro root intake in diet lesser are the chances of indigestion, bloating, cramping, and constipation.

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Do you refrigerate taro? ›

Unlike many root vegetables, taro corms cannot be stored for long periods of time. Keep them in a cool, dark place for no more than a couple of days. Taro leaves are also highly perishable. Wrap them in damp paper towels and store in the fridge in a sealable bag — they, too, are best within two to three days.

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What tastes similar to taro? ›

Taro and ube are two delicious and nutritious root vegetables that are popular in many Asian cuisines. While they both have a similar taste and are often used in sweet dishes, they differ in texture and nutritional value.

What is another name for taro? ›

Colocasia esculenta (Caladium, Dasheen, Elephant Ears, Green Taro, Malanga, Taro) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

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What is taro supposed to taste like? ›

People have described fresh taro as having a light, nutty taste. Whereas pre-made taro has a sweet, vanilla flavor. Many bubble tea shops use fresh taro, you'll know because it will have a more grainy texture! In general, imagine a nutty, vanilla taste.

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What flavor is taro similar to? ›

The root vegetable has a light, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that goes well with the milk, sugar, and tea used to make milk tea. The taste is comparable to sweet potato but with a lighter flavor profile and subtle vanilla undertones.

Is taro sweet in Boba? ›

Taro bubble tea itself is sweet. It tastes a bit like vanilla, with a pinch of nuttiness.

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What food category is taro? ›

Taro root is a vegetable used in a variety of cuisines around the world. It has a mild, nutty taste, starchy texture, and nutrition benefits that make it a healthier alternative to other root vegetables like potatoes.

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