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

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (2)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (3)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (4)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (5)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (6)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (7)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (8)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (9)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (10)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (11)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (12)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (13)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (14)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (15)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (16)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (17)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (18)

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (19)

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)

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (20)

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

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

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

21 Sweet & Savory Taro Root Recipes You Need To Try (22)

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 has a nutty and earthy flavour with a slightly sweet undertone. Its starchy texture makes it perfect for savoury dishes such as stews or as a substitute for potatoes in fries.

Read The Full Story ›

What can you do with taro? ›

Try using it in place of potatoes to make super crispy potato pancakes, or roast it in the oven for delicious homemade fries or chips. Taro is a staple all over the world, including in the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia. In India, taro root is often cubed and simmered in curries.

How long does taro last in the fridge? ›

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.

How long should taro be boiled? ›

Cover and boil for about 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. (Make sure the taro is cooked very well, for the starches can irritate and scratch the throat if not cooked through completely). Remove and cool.

Get More Info ›

Do you peel taro before cooking? ›

But first, you must remove taro's thick slightly hairy peel with a knife under running water to avoid the stickiness. To prevent discoloration, place peeled, cut chunks of taro in acidulated water. Be aware that when taro is cooked it will turn from bright white to cream to dapple grayish-purple.

Know More ›

Is taro root healthier than potato? ›

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. Dietary fiber improves digestive function and can relieve issues like constipation, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, and acid reflux.

View Details ›

Is taro root better than sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes are a relatively low in fat low GI, a good source source of vitamin A, as well as fibre, protein, vitamin C, iron and calcium. Taro is High in Dietary Fibre, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Potassium and Manganese.

See Details ›

Is taro a yam or potato? ›

Purple yams and taro root look similar, hence the confusion between the two. Nonetheless, when stripped of their skins, they are different colors. Taro is grown from the tropical taro plant and is not one of the nearly 600 types of yams. taro plant, and unlike purple yams, they are not a species of yam.

Discover More Details ›

Who should not eat taro root? ›

It's also easy to use and can be enjoyed in a number of unique recipes, including taro tea, cakes, chips, side dishes and desserts. However, it's important to always cook before consuming, avoid if you experience any food allergy symptoms, and moderate your intake if you have diabetes or are following a low-carb diet.

View Details ›

How do you remove toxins from taro? ›

Instead, taro root should be thoroughly cooked in boiling water to draw-out oxalates from the root into the cooking water, which must then be discarded. Consuming taro with warm milk also reduces the effect of the oxalates by about 80%.

Know More ›

What do Hawaiians use taro for? ›

In Hawaii, people use wetland taro to make poi. This is the most popular form of eating taro. Poi is an ancient Hawaiian dish made from the paste of baked or steamed taro that has been fermented. You always find this dish at traditional luaus or Hawaiian food restaurants.

Read The Full Story ›

How do you know if taro has gone bad? ›

When cut open, the flesh should be white with flecks of purple. If there are any black specks or lines running through the taro root, it's probably gone bad and should be discarded.

Get More Info ›

What is the difference between taro and taro root? ›

Taro root comes from the taro plant, which is native to Southeast Asia and India and is a staple in diets there as well as Africa, China, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Both the big green leaves of the plant and the root itself can be consumed when cooked. In their raw form, both are toxic.

Get More Info ›

How long do you have to cook taro root? ›

Place in a pot with enough water to half cover the taro. Cover and boil for about 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. (Make sure the taro is cooked very well, for the starches can irritate and scratch the throat if not cooked through completely).

Read The Full Story ›

Is taro root better for you than potatoes? ›