How to Roast Turnips
If you are looking for the easiest, most delicious way to use turnips in your family menu, this Roasted Turnips recipe is for you! With a few simple pantry staples, and 10 minutes of prep and you’ll be on the way to a stellar veggie side dish. With thousands of shares and dozens of reviews you can be sure this recipe is tried and tested!
I originally shared this recipe on 2/15/19. I have updated the post to share it with you again today.
Table of contents
You’ll love these perfectly Roasted Turnips
Since 2003 I have focused on easy and delicious ways to make veggies part of the family plate and this basic cooked turnip recipe is the perfect example of how we do that. I will be the first to admit that the humble turnip is not the most illustrious veg, but we are equal-opportunity veggie lovers around here! So if you have turnips on hand and are wondering what to do with them, you’re in the right place. Read on for my top tips for how to make turnips taste great, and cook them with ease.
Don’t miss our recipe for how to Roast Veggies too!
WATCH: How to Cook Turnips
Roasted Turnips Ingredients
- Turnips – When buying turnips, it’s important to know that size affects taste. Smaller turnips, white turnips and baby turnips tend to be sweeter, more like a carrot while larger turnips are more peppery in flavor, similar to a radish. Also, larger mature purple top turnips and red turnips tend to be older and can have a woody and fibrous layer, even when peeled, so smaller ones are preferred for this recipe. Also, look for turnips that are smooth and not wrinkled. Wrinkled turnips have lost some of their moisture and will not have as pleasant of a texture when consumed. Cut off the turnip greens, you will only need the turnip bottoms or roots for this recipe.
- Avocado Oil – Avocado oil is our preferred neutral cooking oil for cooking turnips; however organic canola oil or olive oil will work just as well when coating the chunks of turnips. You could also use clarified melted butter or ghee which can withstand the high heat of roasting.
- Salt & Pepper – Of course, you’ll also need salt and pepper. Note that we recommend table salt (or iodized salt) for this recipe. You may use kosher salt instead, but you will want to double the measurement.
- Seasonings: Dried oregano, dried thyme and garlic powder. This is our go-to combo but there are lots of other ways to jazz up this humble root veggie. See more ideas for how to season turnips below.
Do you peel turnips before roasting?
Yes, turnips need to be peeled before roasting. The skin on a turnip is generally tough, bitter, and occasionally is coated in wax to protect it during shipping. Peel turnips before roasting or cooking. Just like when you make roasted beets, peel the turnips with a sharp vegetable peeler and cut off the top and tip. If you want, you can simply slice off the skin using a sharp paring knife versus using a vegetable peeler. Once they are peeled cut the turnips into large bite sized pieces.
How to Cook Turnips
Step 1: Prepare Turnips
Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut turnips into 1.5-inch chunks. In a large bowl, toss to coat turnips, oil and salt and ground black pepper to taste.
Step 2: Roast Turnips
Transfer the turnips to a baking sheet and place them in the oven. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Step 3: Make Herbed Mixture
In a small dish combine oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Remove the turnips from the oven. Sprinkle with the herb mixture and with a spatula, toss to coat. Return to the oven and continue to roast. Remove when turnips are fork-tender and browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Serve warm.
What to serve with Roasted Turnips
- Beef: The peppery radish-like flavor of turnips is excellent with beef. Pair these easy roasted turnips with Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Tarragon Mushrooms.
- It would be a great alternative to potatoes for Pot Roast made in an Instant Pot.
- Chicken: They are also great with roasted chicken. Our Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs are a staple in my household.
- For a Sunday supper try our Spatchcocked Chicken with Tarragon Sauce.
- This Balsamic Chicken would be delicious alongside the turnips.
- Salad: If you’re looking for a lighter meal while incorporating some leafy greens into the mix, serve alongside this chopped winter salad or this overnight kale caesar.
Storing leftover Roast Turnips
Like other roasted vegetables, roasted turnips are great for meal prep and can be made ahead. Prep ahead or store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Roasted Turnip Seasonings
- To mix up the seasonings for turnips, you can use a purchased spice blend instead of the blend I used here. Some to try are curry powder, Mexican seasonings or Italian Herb Blend.
- You can also make turnips taste good by drizzling on balsamic vinegar or lemon juice after they are finished roasting.
- Instead of dried herbs you can add on fresh herbs at the end like I did in these Spring Roasted Root Veggies with Herbs.
FAQs
Yes, they are a great low-carb alternative to starchy potatoes. These have 9 grams net carbs per one-cup serving. Red more about turnip nutrition here.
Yes, turnips are considered low FODMAP, meaning they’re low in certain fermentable carbohydrates that may contribute to digestive distress. Even though turnips contain raffinose and may produce gas, they don’t contain high levels of fermentable carbohydrates typically known to worsen symptoms of certain conditions. {Information provided by Danielle Omar, RDN.}
Turnips are mild and slightly spicy, similar to a radish in flavor. They have a slight sulfurous note as they are part of the brassica family.
Try These Other Simple Veggie Recipes Too
More like this Turnip Recipe
- Try our Turnip Casserole and these Creamed Turnips and Greens too.
- Have you had Salad Turnips? Try them in this Meal Prep Power Salad.
- If you love roasted veggies try Curry Roasted Cabbage, our Roasted Broccoli, Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Green Beans with Almonds
Thanks so much for reading. If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my free weekly email newsletter for healthy recipes delivered right to your inbox. Or follow me on Instagram. If you make these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It is very appreciated. Happy Cooking! ~Katie
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Simple Roasted Turnips Recipe
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Simple Roasted Turnips! A lower starch vegetable side dish, only 9 g net carbs! A great alternative to roasted potatoes, and Whole30 and paleo approved. For just 83 calories per cup they’re quite filling and nutritious.
Ingredients
- 7 cups turnips peeled and cut into 1 1/2 -inch chunks (about 6 medium)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dry thyme
- Generous pinch garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Toss turnips, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread out on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to the oven. Roast, stirring once or twice, for 30 minutes.
- Mix oregano, thyme and garlic in a small dish. Remove the turnips from the oven. Sprinkle the turnips with the herb mixture and toss them with a spatula to coat
- Return to the oven and roast, until the turnips are tender when pierced with a fork, and browned in spots, about 5 minutes longer. Serve warm.
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.
Add the seasonings only for the last five minutes so they will not burn and become bitter.
Feel free to use other spice mixes!
Turnips are cooked when a fork or paring knife slips easily into the flesh without resistance and then out again.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 35 Minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 83
- Sugar: 8 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
I addae some Paprika I like a little spice added to my veggies I really enjoyed this recipe
Thank you Paul! I am happy to hear you liked these cooked turnips. That’s great to hear. Please let me know which recipe you try next time.
So easy, so delicious! Thank you for another great one. 🙂
These are so simple for a quick and healthy side dish
This is one of the few ways I truly enjoy turnips. So easy yet delicious!
My turnips came out delicious! thanks for this fantastic recipe!
Interesting recipe with turnips. I will try this soon, Thanks for sharing.
Love this roasted turnip recipe. I tried these in the air fryer and it worked great!
Delicious! i received turnips in my CSA and i had never made them before – i was skeptical, but they came out great! New favorite veggie!
Great combo of spices! We signed up for misfit market this past year and we get an assortment of veggies (ones I’ve never tackled before!) I pretty much roast every veggies anyway but had no clue what flavors or heat/time to use…this was a great recipe…took me about 30 mins
would help if recipe specified oven temperature for roasting the turnips
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 425.
Hope you enjoy the turnips Robert.
Thank you for sharing your experience from the kitchen!
Awesome recipe Katie will also use with other veggies.