Turnips are a surprisingly versatile vegetable packed full of nutritional value. They are high in vitamins, calcium, folate, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. This makes them amazingly effective at reducing inflammation and supporting overall health.

Turnips are low in carbohydrates and calories, making them a great alternative for veggies that are higher in carbs like carrots or potatoes.

What Are Turnips?

Like rutabagas, turnips are root vegetables. They grow underground and are readily available year-round at all major grocery stores.

You can eat pretty much the entire turnip, as both the greens and the bulb are edible. Turnip greens are the edible leaves found on the turnip root and also pack a powerful nutritional punch.

While the skin of a turnip is edible and high in nutrients, it does have a somewhat bitter taste. This results in most people choosing to peel turnips before using them.

What Do Turnips Taste Like?

The taste of turnips is strong and has been described as a flavor that lies somewhere between a cabbage and a radish, but with a bit more sweetness.

The taste will also vary depending on the size of the turnips. Smaller turnips have a sweeter taste more like carrots, while larger turnips are less sweet and have a taste more like that of a potato. It is a good idea to use fresh turnips because as they age, so does their bitterness.

How Can Turnips Be Prepared?

Turnips can be cooked in a variety of methods. From soups to roasting, to mashed, the possibilities for turnips are countless. Due to their low carb count, they are a great replacement for starchy potatoes.

Start including this healthy veggie in your menu with some of the best recipes for turnips listed below.

Roasted turnip recipes

Easy Roasted Turnips

This is one of those simple recipes for turnips that will impress any guest. The best part? It is so simple.

Turnips are cubed, topped with olive oil, butter, and a few basic seasonings, and then roasted until caramelized.

Serve them with roasted chicken and a salad for a complete meal. A great cooking tip for this recipe is to always take the time to preheat your oven to avoid your turnips from steaming, rather than cooking and becoming soggy. Placing them directly in a preheated oven will ensure their crispness.

Roasted Turnips

In this simple but yummy recipe, the taste of the turnips is allowed to shine. You can leave it as is or customize it in any number of ways.

A variety of herbs (rosemary would work especially well) can be sprinkled over the turnips, they can be coated with butter and garam masala, or even drizzled with a pesto sauce. This is one of those turnips dishes where the possibilities are endless, how will you make it your own?

Garlic Ranch Roasted Turnips

Are you following a low carb or keto diet, but craving potatoes? With this recipe for turnips, you can satisfy your cravings in a diet-friendly way.

Potatoes are replaced with turnips in this sweet and buttery dish that no one will ever be able to guess is low in carbs.

To make these turnips extra crispy, try turning on the broiler for a few minutes at the end of cooking. The broiler’s high heat will give them an extra crunch.

30 minutes – Roasted Turnips

Do you like simple and authentic flavors? In this turnip root recipe, you get just that.

The turnips are roasted, bringing out their natural flavors and sweetness. Doing this keeps things uncomplicated and eliminates the need for any other flavoring.

Dinner prep does not get any easier than this simple side dish and it would pair well with any protein.

Sea Salt & Olive Oil Roasted Turnips

Need a foolproof way for cooking turnips that provides restaurant-quality results?

Try roasting them. It is one of the best ideas for allowing the true taste of turnips, or any veggie for that matter to stand out.

Simply cut the turnips up into small cubes, drizzle them with a bit of olive oil and sea salt, and put them in the oven. In 30 minutes, you will have a tasty side dish to complement any meal.

Mashed turnip recipes

Mashed Turnips

On the hunt for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes? You will want to try this recipe for turnips then!

You get the same great taste like mashed potatoes but in a low-carb version. As turnips have a high water content, this dish can turn out a bit watery.

If this happens, do not worry, there is an easy fix. Simply mash the turnips up in the pot, add in the milk and butter and then place the pot back on the stove.

The heat will reduce any excess liquid and the turnips will be a perfect consistency.

Garlic Mashed Turnips

Love one-pot dishes with simple ingredients that are still full of taste? This method of cooking turnips is for you then.

Turnips are boiled, mashed, and flavored all in the same pot to create a delicious meal that is ready in no time.

If you really want to elevate the creamy taste, try adding in some grated cheese, sour cream, fresh herbs, or even bits of bacon. You will not be sorry you did.

Pressure Cooker Mashed Turnips

This is one of the turnip dishes that will make a turnip lover out of anyone. It has a creamy delicious flavor that is irresistible.

Wondering what the secret is to their great taste? Two ingredients are added to mashed turnips that take their taste to the next level: sour cream and beef or chicken stock.

The result is a homemade side dish that can be served along with any meal main.

Brown Butter Mashed Turnip

Searching for that perfect side dish for your Christmas or Thanksgiving menu? This is one of those turnip root recipes that will quickly become a family tradition. It delivers a flavorful and comforting dish full of homemade goodness.

An insider’s tip for this recipe is to make sure that you do not skip out on browning the butter. It is easy to do and adds so much flavor to the dish.

Mashed Turnip and Carrots with Herb Butter

This way of cooking turnips is perfect for those busy nights when you do not have a lot of time for a complicated recipe.

Turnips and carrots are boiled and mashed together to create a rustic and comforting dish packed full of nutrition. A healthy side dish that goes with any protein can be on the table in no time.

Really want your family to love this dish? Make sure to use only butter in it and not margarine.

Turnip greens recipes

Soul food turnip greens

If you have Southern roots, this turnip dish may take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen.

Simple ingredients are used to create a classic soul food dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Worried about the long cooking time of this recipe? Don’t be, you just put the ingredients in and let them do their thing. The end result is a complete meal, that will impress anyone.

Fresh Turnip Green Soup Recipe

Swamp soup anyone? That’s what people in the south jokingly call this healthy soup recipe for turnips.

The edible leaves found on turnips are mixed with sausages, veggies, and herbs to create an inexpensive soup that is low in calories and carbs.

If you are not a fan of sausages, you could swap it out for chicken or use black-eyed peas to make it vegetarian. You could also make it even healthier by adding other greens, such as spinach, kale, or cabbage.

Instant Pot Collard Greens

Looking for a fast alternative for classic Southern dishes that still deliver that comforting taste?

This recipe for turnips cuts the cooking time way down on traditional collard greens by using an Instapot. With it, in under 20 minutes, you can have an easy side dish full of soul.

If you like a bit of heat with your greens, try adding in some red pepper flakes or hot pepper sauce at the end of cooking.

Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are a true Southern staple. They are one of those turnip root recipes that are full of flavor and nutrition and so simple to make.

Whether it be alongside eggs or grits, made into a hash, used to dip cornbread in, or a side dish for your favorite protein, the greens are incredibly versatile and can be served with almost anything. How do you like your collard greens?

Turnip soup recipes

Creamy Turnip Soup

If you love comfort food, then this is the recipe for you! This is a great recipe for turnips that is savory and delicious.

With just a few basic ingredients, you can have a bowl of this homemade soup on your table in no time.

It is low in calories and carbs but if you feel like really treating yourself, try topping the soup with some croutons or bacon and cheese. The taste will be well worth the calories

What are you waiting for? Only you will know how healthy it is!