Put a Twist on Tradition With Mashed Turnips (2024)

Turnips may get a bad rap, maybe because they tend to be a little on the bitter side—some folks say they taste like a cross between cabbage and radish. Unless you've got a turnip enthusiast in your family, it's also possible you never encountered a really stellar preparation of this root veggie. Turnips, however, are absolutely delicious when cooked properly.

This recipe mashes turnips with butter and a little bit of sugar for a rich side dish with an unexpected sweetness. The sugar helps counteract the bitterness, and this recipe is enough to convert any turnip skeptics in your family. Don't forget the salt and pepper—when you've got a dish this simple, those seasonings become even more important.

These mashed turnips make an excellent side dish and are a great alternative to mashed potatoes, particularly during the winter when the root vegetable is at its best. Serve it alongside chicken or pork dishes and a salad for a well-balanced dinner.

What You'll Need to Make This Mashed Turnips Recipe

A Great Vegetable Peeler

A Nice Big Pot

A Handy Dandy Potato Masher

"This is a super easy, filling, and warming side dish to make alongside any protein. I think a lot of people don't know what to do with turnips, but they are a beautiful root vegetable that makes for a great mashed side dish." —Tracy Wilk

Put a Twist on Tradition With Mashed Turnips (4)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Kosher salt, to taste
1 pound turnips, peeled and diced large
2 to 3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and season with salt.
Once boiling, add the peeled and diced turnips. Cook until fork tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.
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Drain the turnips and place them back into the pot. Add the butter, sugar, and pepper, and season with salt to taste.
Using a potato masher, mash the turnips with the butter and seasonings until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Serve hot and enjoy.

Tips

The turnips you select can have a big impact on the flavor of this dish, as turnips are known to have a peppery bite. If you want a soft, delicate flavor, choose small, young turnips. The older and larger the turnip, the more flavorful it will be. Cooking does mellow the flavor considerably, but you'll still notice the difference.
Use a sharp knife to check the tenderness of the turnips. If you can insert the blade with little to no resistance, the turnips are ready.
Don't skip the sugar unless you're on a sugar-free diet. It brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

Recipe Variations

It's easy to turn the mashed turnips into a vegan dish. Simply use vegan butter or a similar dairy-free, plant-based substitute for the butter.
A variety of herbs and spices can be added to the mashed turnips. Try a tablespoon of finely chopped sage or rosemary, a clove or two of roasted or sautéed garlic, or a pinch of paprika or ground ginger.
If your turnips came with the greens, don't throw them away. Rinse and finely chop them and add them in while mashing. Or turn them into their own turnip green side dish.
For creamier and slightly tart mashed turnips, add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt with the butter.
Add other root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, rutabagas, or parsnips to the boiling water if you like. Make sure all of the vegetables are very tender before draining.

How to Store and Freeze

Mashed turnips will keep for three to five days, covered, in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them if needed. It's a good idea to freeze them in portions in a freezer-safe container or a zip-close freezer bag—they'll keep for up to three months that way.

How do you get the bitterness out of turnips?

Smaller turnips tend to be sweeter and less bitter, so start by selecting fresh, small, tender turnips and peeling them. Adding a little sugar to your turnips after cooking can also help to counteract any bitterness.

Can you use turnips instead of potatoes?

Turnips have a different flavor profile than potatoes but cook up similarly. If you want to add more flavor to a soup, pan of roasted veggies, or mash, try swapping some or all of the potatoes for turnips.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
106	Calories
9g	Fat
7g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	106
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g	11%
Saturated Fat 5g	27%
Cholesterol 23mg	8%
Sodium 165mg	7%
Total Carbohydrate 7g	2%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 13mg	66%
Calcium 41mg	3%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 205mg	4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

vegetarian
dinner
southern
weeknight

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Put a Twist on Tradition With Mashed Turnips (2024)

FAQs

Why put baking soda in turnips? ›

Wash greens and roots well. Some suggest soaking the greens in a little salty water. One turnip website from the United Kingdom notes that if you boil them, add a little sugar to tame the scent and add baking soda to reduce bitterness.

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What is the best way to cook and eat turnips? ›

Baked, Boiled or Steamed. Use turnips any way you would use a potato, and then some. Try them baked or boiled in stews, soups and stir-fries, or lightly steamed with some butter, salt or lemon juice for flavor.

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How to cook turnips so they are not bitter? ›

How do you get the bitterness out of turnips? Smaller turnips tend to be sweeter and less bitter, so start by selecting fresh, small, tender turnips and peeling them. Adding a little sugar to your turnips after cooking can also help to counteract any bitterness.

Learn More ›

What is the disadvantage of using baking soda to vegetables? ›

This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C.

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What does Epsom salt and baking soda do? ›

If you're looking for a bar that can help with sleep and stress, but also supports anti-inflammatory and overall cleanliness, the Epsom Salt Bar with Baking Soda is a great fit for you.

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Which is healthier turnips or potatoes? ›

Turnips are a healthy alternative to potatoes; they're lower in calories and have fewer carbs. Smaller, sweeter turnips can be sliced into wedges and eaten raw like an apple.

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Can diabetics eat turnip? ›

Yes, people living with diabetes can eat turnip as it is a low glycemic index vegetable that can help regulate blood sugar levels. However, it is important to monitor portion sizes and overall carbohydrate intake.

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Is it OK to eat raw turnips? ›

Though they are most commonly cooked, turnips can be enjoyed raw as well. If you plan to eat them raw, simply peel and slice the turnip like an apple to eat with dips or add to the top of your salad. Be sure to slice off the root end and remove the greens – which can be saved for cooking as well.

Get More Info Here ›

What's the difference between a turnip and a rutabaga? ›

Rutabagas are also generally much larger than turnips. So for a quick rule of thumb, the brownish-yellowish ones are rutabagas, and the smaller white and purple ones are turnips. In terms of their flavor, rutabagas are slightly sweeter-tasting than turnips whereas turnips have a slightly more radishy flavor.

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Is turnip good for you? ›

Boosts immunity: Rich in vitamin C, turnips help strengthen the immune system and protect against infections. Aids digestion: High in fiber, turnips promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation. Supports bone health: Turnips contain calcium and vitamin K, essential nutrients for maintaining strong bones.

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Should turnips be hard or soft? ›

Turnips will feel firm and heavy with crisp green tops. Check for a sweet aroma. Turnips are generally white at the bottom with a light purple blush on the top of the bulb.

What does soaking vegetables in baking soda do? ›

Because most pesticides aren't stable at an alkaline pH, soaking them in a baking soda solution can break down their compounds, and together with a rinse under tap water, can help to wash them away. Note: The baking soda solution will remove only certain classes of pesticides, and only from the produce's surface.

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How do you get the bitterness out of turnip greens? ›

Salt is one of my favorite ways to cut the bitterness in turnip greens. I then add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the broth and simmer for the last 20 minutes. Works like a charm! If you're vegan, use a good vegetable broth like Better Than Bouillon and a bit of smoked salt for fantastic flavor.