33 Good for You Vegetables You Probably Never Tried

You may have never even heard of some of these good for you vegetables before, and you’ve probably never tried many of them!

But first…

Why Care About These “Good for You Vegetables”?

We all know eating vegetables is good for us, but how often do we stick to eating the same ones? Carrots, broccoli, green beans… they may be yummy, but they can get monotonous after a while.

In reality, when it comes to vegetables, the more the merrier, right? Well, for your health’s sake, it’s definitely a good idea to branch out and try new ones. Don’t get stuck in a rut with just a few veggies you know and love.

By incorporating a wide variety of fresh produce into your diet, you’ll benefit from a wider range of nutrients and health-promoting substances.

Each vegetable has its own unique set of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can work wonders for your body.

Fortunately, there’s a whole world of lesser-known vegetables out there, waiting to be discovered.

Next time you’re at the farmers market or grocery store, have some fun and pick out a few veggies you’ve never tried before. Your taste buds (and your body) might just thank you.

Let me introduce you to these 33 good for you vegetables, nutrient-dense and tasty, but may not be on your grocery list…yet.

1. Celeriac – This knobby root vegetable tastes similar to celery and makes a great addition to soups and stews.
2. Taro – This root vegetable is starchy and slightly sweet, and is used in many Asian dishes.
3. Sunchoke – Also known as Jerusalem artichokes, these tubers have a slightly sweet and nutty taste.
4. Romanesco – This unique-looking vegetable is part of the cauliflower family and has a slightly nutty flavor.
   

   Romanesco Cauliflower

5. Parsnip – This root vegetable tastes similar to carrots, but with a slightly nuttier flavor.
6. Mustard Greens – These leafy greens have a slightly bitter taste and are great in salads or cooked dishes.
7. Dandelion Greens – Yes, those weeds in your yard are actually edible! Dandelion greens are slightly bitter and great in salads.
8. Sorrel – This leafy green has a tart, lemon-like flavor and is great in salads or cooked dishes.
9. Kohlrabi – This vegetable looks like a cross between a turnip and a cabbage and has a mild, slightly sweet taste.
   

   See page for author, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons – Kohlrabi

10. Salsify – This root vegetable has a subtle flavor reminiscent of oysters.
11. Fennel – This bulb-shaped vegetable has a crunchy texture and a mild licorice flavor.
12. Bok Choy – A type of Chinese cabbage, bok choy has a sweet, slightly peppery taste and is great in stir-fries.
13. Jicama – This root vegetable has a refreshing, slightly sweet taste and a crunchy texture.
14. Daikon – A type of radish, daikon has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is great in salads or pickled.
15. Chayote – This pear-shaped vegetable has a mild, slightly sweet taste and can be cooked like squash or eaten raw.
    

    Leslie Seaton, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Chayote

16. Radicchio – This leafy vegetable has a mildly bitter taste and makes a great addition to salads or cooked dishes.
17. Endive – This leafy vegetable has a slightly bitter taste and makes a great addition to salads or cooked dishes.
18. Collard Greens – These leafy greens have a slightly bitter taste and are great in soups, stews or cooked dishes.
19. Watercress – This leafy green has a slightly peppery taste and is great in salads or as a garnish.
20. Escarole – This leafy vegetable has a slightly bitter taste and makes a great addition to salads or cooked dishes.
21. Rutabaga – This root vegetable tastes like a cross between a turnip and a cabbage, and is great roasted or mashed.
    

    pin add, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Rutabaga

22. Dulse – This type of seaweed has a salty, slightly sweet taste and is great in soups or salads.
23. Wakame – Another type of seaweed, wakame has a slightly sweet taste and is great in soups or salads.
24. Arugula – This leafy green has a slightly peppery taste and is great in salads or as a pizza topping.
25. Red Cabbage – This cabbage has a slightly sweeter taste than regular cabbage and is great in coleslaw or cooked dishes.
26. Microgreens – These tiny greens are packed with nutrients and have a mild, slightly sweet taste.
27. Amaranth – This leafy green has a slightly nutty taste and can be used in salads or cooked dishes.
    

    Amaranth

28. Cabbage Sprouts – These tiny broccoli-cabbage hybrids have a slightly sweet taste and are great in salads or stir-fries.
29. Tatsoi – This leafy green tastes similar to bok choy and is great in stir-fries or salads.
30. Red-veined Sorrel – This leafy green has a tart, lemon-like flavor and is great in salads or as a garnish.
31. Swiss Chard – This leafy green has a slightly bitter taste and is great in salads or cooked dishes.
32. Mache – This leafy green has a slightly nutty taste and is great in salads.
33. Mizuna – This leafy green has a slightly peppery taste and is great in salads or stir-fries.

Uo3rt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – Mizuna

There You Have It

Who knew there were so many interesting and flavorful vegetables out there?

By incorporating these lesser-known vegetables into your diet, not only will you add variety to your meals, but you’ll also benefit from their nutrient-packed profiles.

From celeriac to mizuna and everything in between, with these good for you veggies, there’s something new for everyone.

So, why not step out of your comfort zone and give some of these options a try? Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you.