Roasted Turnips Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to peel turnips before you roast them? ›

It's not essential to peel turnips before cooking. If this skin appears to be thin enough you can leave it on and cook as is. However if the skin feels thick and leathery, you can peel it off with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler. Both the roots and leaves, also known as turnip greens, are safe to eat.

If you want to try a different cooking method, I tend to like turnip boiled and mashed. If the turnip is old (and likely bitter) you can add an apple. I've also read that you can stir in baking soda after the turnips have boiled to remove the bitterness.

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.

Cut turnips into 1-inch chunks or wedges or the size you prefer. Place the turnips in a single layer on the prepared pan and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Step three: Roast. Roast the turnips, stirring them every 10 minutes, until tender and just browned, 30 to 40 minutes.

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. Raw baby turnips can be sliced or diced and used in salads. Raw turnips can also be grated and used as a garnish.

The increase in sweetness might be expected to supress bitterness [37]; however, only the roasted turnips had a lower mean bitter score than the turnips cooked by the other methods, and this was not significant.

Green Salad with Turnips, Strawberries, and Pepitas

Tokyo turnips also known as white turnips, are small, tender, and bitter-sweet, making them perfect as a raw addition to a green salad. Get the recipe for Green Salad with Turnips, Strawberries, and Pepitas.

Add the turnips and potatoes to a large stockpot and fill the pot with water, enough to cover the vegetables. Heat over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, then simmer until the turnips are tender (they may take longer to cook than the potatoes), about 15 minutes.

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. Look for fresh turnips.

If the soil is too heavy, the crop will rot. If the soil is too lumpy or rocky, the roots will be tough, fibrous and misshapen.

What do turnips taste like when cooked? ›

Turnips are a part of the Brassica family, which also includes cabbage, rutabaga, and radish, and shares many flavor notes with these cousins. When properly prepared, it has a refreshing, slightly sweet taste with a delicate bitterness. If overcooked, it smells like something you would blame on the dog.

When are turnips in season? Peak season for baby turnips is June to July. You can buy winter turnips all year round, although peak season is from October to February.

When you take the turnips out of the oven, toss them with a tablespoon or two of minced fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, sage, and/or rosemary. Drizzle the roasted turnips with romesco sauce or homemade pesto when you serve them.

How do they compare to a potato, nutrition-wise? Turnips have fewer calories than potatoes, with just about 36 calories per cup versus a little over 100 calories per cup of diced potatoes.

Turnips have a crisp, white inner flesh and a zesty, peppery flavor. People can eat them raw or cooked. However, roasting turnips tends to bring out their best flavors and qualities.

How do they compare to a potato, nutrition-wise? Turnips have fewer calories than potatoes, with just about 36 calories per cup versus a little over 100 calories per cup of diced potatoes.

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.