25 Water Chestnut Recipes You Won’t Want to Pass Up

Looking for the best water chestnut recipes? Well, search no further because I have you covered!

Water chestnuts are a staple ingredient in many Asian dishes.

They have a sweet, nutty taste with a crisp texture. They’re a perfect base for different flavors.

In this roundup, you’ll find the best recipes to try. From stir-fries to salads and snacks galore, they all feature this wonderfully crunchy vegetable!

Get ready to crunch all day with this list of water chestnut recipes.

1. Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Looking for a salty, sweet, crunchy, and meaty snack that the whole family can enjoy? These bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are right up your alley.

These crunchy morsels are wrapped in smoky bacon and marinated in a special sauce. This sweet and savory treat will knock your socks off. 

They’re the ultimate party-pleaser with their crisp, meaty texture and mouthwatering flavor!

2. Cashew Chicken

Cashew chicken is one of those dishes that’s just so satisfying.

I love the crunch of water chestnuts with cashew and chicken. The sauce in this dish just ties everything together perfectly!

It packs incredible flavors and protein into a filling meal without being too heavy.

Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

3. Ginger Pork Stir-Fry

This ginger pork stir-fry with water chestnuts is a healthy, flavorful way to start your week. You’ll love how it’s rich, delicious, and spicy all at once.

It’s packed with protein, veggies, and fantastic flavors but light enough for weekday meals.

Get a nice burst of crunch from the water chestnuts that contrasts the meaty pork. And enjoy a hint of heat from the ginger and red pepper.

4. PF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps

If you love P.F. Chang’s lettuce wraps, you’ll swoon over this copycat recipe.

The savory chicken and umami sauce just go perfectly with the crunch of the water chestnuts.

Then, you wrap it all up in a crisp lettuce leaf, and… whoa. It’s like fireworks in your mouth!

This dish is easy to make and tastes even better than the restaurant version. Plus, you can make it in just 20 minutes.

5. Veggie-Cashew Stir-Fry

Families with picky eaters, this one’s for you. It’s a simple veggie stir-fry recipe to entice the pickiest eaters to devour their vegetables.

Crispy water chestnuts, sweet zucchini, and meaty mushrooms swimming in a sauce that’s sure to please.

You can incorporate a little extra protein into your meal by adding chicken.

It’s the perfect solution to sneak some healthy stuff into your family’s diet.

6. Hot and Sour Soup

Nothing beats the comforting warmth of a steaming bowl of soup on a chilly day.

This hot and sour soup is a Chinese staple that will warm your heart. It has water chestnuts, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu to make it filling.

The veggies are stirred into a deliciously spicy, aromatic broth that you’ll love.

Whether you’re a vegan or not, you’ll surely love the comforting flavors of this dish.

7. Chinese Water Chestnut Soup

If you prefer soup on the sweeter side, you’ll love this recipe! It’s lovely, warm, and full of nourishing ingredients.

Water chestnuts give it that crunchy texture that makes your mouth feel alive. The sweetness comes naturally from the carrots, dried figs, and red dates.

Best of all, it has tender pork ribs for a nutrition-packed meal.

8. Water Chestnut Appetizer

This dish is crunchy, sweet, and sticky.

This recipe only requires four ingredients: water chestnuts, bacon, brown sugar, and soy sauce.

The result is a contrast of sweet and savory flavors along with meaty and crunchy textures. It’s a burst of amazingness that play off each other beautifully.

Try serving this appetizer at a party. You’ll be surprised at how fast it disappears!

9. Takeout Style Happy Family Stir-Fry

This one-pot meal will get the whole family to the table. It’s a great way to switch things up if you’re tired of takeout!

It captures the authentic Chinese flavors made with a medley of beef, chicken, and shrimp.

This dish is cooked in a classic Chinese sauce and tossed with fresh, crisp veggies.

10. Shrimp Lo Mein

Drop the phone and forget about ordering takeout. Homemade shrimp lo mein will surely satisfy. It’s like a comforting hug in noodle form.

This is one of my favorite Chinese takeout recipes to make because it’s bursting with flavor.

This dish is loaded with heartiness from tender egg noodles, crisp vegetables, and juicy shrimp.

It takes 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

11. Corn and Water Chestnut Pork Ribs Soup

 Corn and water chestnut pork ribs soup is the perfect meal for a cozy night.

The corn and carrots add a subtle sweet flavor to the broth. Water chestnuts provide a crunchy texture to contrast the tenderness of the pork ribs.

A bowl of this hearty soup is so light yet filling. It’ll warm you from the inside out.

12. Chinese Pork Dumplings With Wood Ear Mushrooms And Water Chestnut

If you’ve had dumplings before, you know that they’re just irresistibly good!

These bite-sized goodies are heaven-sent with their fantastic flavors and textures.

This recipe features a soft, chewy shell filled with tender pork and wood ear mushrooms.

The water chestnuts add a crispness to balance out the milder ingredients in the dumplings.

They’re the perfect size for snacking and savoring all the unique flavors. Get creative with your dipping sauce and spices to enjoy these goodies!

13. Mushroom and Water Chestnut Salad (Vegan Lettuce Wraps) 

Need to add more veggies to your life? This salad is perfect for you.

It’s a vegan take on lettuce wraps with a flavorful blend of mushrooms and water chestnuts. It has a hint of spice from the addition of chilies.

The salad is topped off with sesame seeds for an added crunch. If you love vegan food, you’ll surely put this dish on repeat.

14. Snow Peas with Water Chestnuts

This stir-fry is a cinch to make and delicious enough for your pickiest guests.

The crisp-tender snow peas and crunchy water chestnuts are tossed in olive oil. It has freshness from the mint and a dash of extra crunch from sesame seeds.

A medley of simple yet satisfying flavors will make your tastebuds rejoice!

15. Lumpia Shanghai

Get ready to fall in love with this crunchy bite-sized delight!

Lumpia shanghai are meat rolls filled with ground meat, water chestnuts, carrots, and scallions.

They’re fried to perfection, giving them a nice crunch and mouthwatering golden finish.

The best part? You can make them ahead of time and freeze them until you need them.

Just take them out of the freezer and fry ’em up as required. Yum!

16. Potstickers

If you thought making potsticker dumplings was a daunting task, think again.

These little bundles of joy may look intimidating, but they’re straightforward to make.

The crisp base will welcome you to the juicy filling. It’s packed with meaty goodness and umami veggies that will impress.

17. Cashew Chicken Bake

A low-calorie dish may sound bland, but this cashew chicken bake is anything but boring.

This recipe features chicken, peppers, water chestnuts, and cashews on a bed of brown rice.

It’s a burst of fantastic flavors and textures packed in a casserole.

It’s perfect when you want something comforting but don’t have time to make an elaborate meal. Just pop it in the oven and go on with your day!

18. Crunchy Tuna Wraps

Brighten up your dinner table and serve these colorful tuna wraps.

These wraps are packed with crunchy veggies and protein-rich tuna, making them healthy and delicious!

They’re good for you, easy to make, and taste amazing. What more could you ask for?

19. Sausage and Rice Casserole Side Dish

Whenever I want something comforting, this recipe is what immediately comes to mind.

This phenomenal casserole is bursting with all of the comforting flavors.

The combination of sausage, rice, and water chestnuts is a truly magical one.

It’s sweet and savory with a little bit of crunch and easy to make!

20. Pork, Celery, and Water Chestnut Wontons

In the mood for something meaty and spicy? I have you covered.

These wontons are carefully wrapped in a soft wrapper filled with fresh ingredients.

Each bite is an explosion of flavor. The succulent pork perfectly complements the nutty water chestnuts.

21. Special Sesame Chicken Salad

If you love sesame chicken, you’ll flip over this special sesame chicken salad.

It’s a mixture of crunchy peanuts, tangy cranberries, sweet mandarin oranges, and sliced water chestnuts.

These ingredients go well with chicken, and the teriyaki dressing rounds out all the flavors.

Serve it at your next potluck and watch everyone’s faces light up as they eat. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.

22. Steamed Minced Pork with Water Chestnut 

Want something easy and delicious for busy weeknights? This steamed minced pork should top your list!

This classic Chinese dish is packed with meaty goodness and fresh veggie delight.

It has a nice texture, thanks to the crunchy water chestnuts and tender pork.

Garnish it with shallots, spring onions, and red chili, and enjoy the feast!

23. Water Chestnut Cake

Water chestnut cake is a traditional Chinese dessert with a sweet flavor and a chewy texture.

It’s made of water chestnuts, water chestnut flour, and sugar.

The taste is sweet and nutty, and it’ll definitely impress your sweet tooth.

If you’re looking to try something new, add this to your list. You won’t regret it!

24. Fried Prawn Dumplings with Water Chestnut & Ginger

These dumplings are a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and 100% delicious. They’re succulent yet refreshing in every bite.

The filling is made with prawn meat, water chestnuts, ginger, and shallots. It’s wrapped in wonton wrappers and fried to crisp, golden perfection.

These pockets of joy will transport your tastebuds to flavor town!

25. Creamy Spinach Dip with Water Chestnuts

This dip is the stuff of legends. It’s creamy, dreamy, and goes well with almost any dish.

The addition of water chestnuts breaks up the rich flavors with its fresh crunch.

Stuff it in sourdough bread bowls or serve it with fresh veggies for dipping. YUM!