36 Best Turnip Dishes That Are Easy and Healthy

Got a stash of turnips and wondering how to unleash their full flavor potential? These simple yet impressive recipes will help you transform them into mouth-watering meals that are sure to please.

When roasted, turnips reveal a rich, nutty taste with subtle sweet notes, making them an earthy delight. As an added bonus, they’re budget-friendly and offer a satisfying low-carb option.

With their versatility and numerous health benefits, it’s no wonder why turnips have earned a spot in many a culinary enthusiast’s repertoire. Let’s explore the countless ways to savor this underrated root veggie.

Turnip and Apple Casserole


The culinary journey begins with a harmonious union between sweet apples and pungent turnips. This autumnal delight boasts an intriguing flavor profile, where the contrasting notes of each ingredient meld together to create a rich, earthy sweetness that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.

Roasted Turnips with Lemon


When preparing roasted turnips, a simple yet effective trick is to incorporate a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. This subtle addition can work wonders in elevating the mild flavor profile of this underrated root vegetable. Roasted turnips make an excellent accompaniment to a wide range of meals, but be sure to have your trusty vegetable peeler nearby to effortlessly remove their natural skin.

Roasted Turnips with Chive Butter Sauce


Elevate the humble roasted turnip with a sophisticated twist: a rich and creamy chive butter sauce. A generous dollop of this indulgent condiment can transform the dish into a truly refined culinary experience.

Roasted Baby Turnips with Mustard Vinaigrette


A delightful combination of earthy mustard and spiced turnips unfolds on the palate, all thanks to a tangy vinaigrette that coats these diminutive roots with ease. This effortless recipe makes a wonderful accompaniment or standalone starter for your next gathering, requiring minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor.

Greek Turnip Skordalia


Greek cuisine’s Skordalia is an integral component of many family gatherings and celebrations, where its rich, velvety texture and pungent flavor of roasted root vegetables harmonize to create a truly savory experience. The unmistakable aroma of sautéed garlic wafts through the air, elevating this humble dip into a culinary masterpiece that never fails to leave a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to partake in its delightful presence.

Turnip Casserole


Looking for a delectable and easy Friday night dinner that’s sure to please? You’re in luck! This recipe requires only 20 minutes of hands-on cooking time, making it the perfect solution for a quick yet satisfying meal. The caramelized onions and rich, creamy bechamel sauce add a luxurious touch to this dish, ensuring it will become a new favorite.

Traditional Scottish Soup


The humble Scotch Broth, also affectionately referred to as a soup of lamb bones and root vegetables, is a culinary gem that warms the heart and soul on chilly winter evenings. This comforting concoction is more than just a flavorful meal – it’s an ode to the rich, earthy essence of slow-cooked ingredients. Packed with a medley of nutritious vegetables, each spoonful is a testament to the power of wholesome cooking. The combination of lamb bones and root vegetables creates a savory broth that’s both nourishing and indulgent, making it an ideal choice for cozy winter nights spent around the dinner table.

Salad Turnip Recipes

The humble turnip can be a game-changer when added to a salad. Its rich, earthy flavor and satisfying crunch provide a depth of nutrition that’s hard to match. By incorporating turnips into your salad, you’ll not only create a filling and protein-rich meal, but also one that will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Swiss Chard Hash with Turkey Fennel and Turnips


Winter’s bounty takes center stage in our warm turnip hash, where Swiss chard and turkey fennel join forces with a medley of seasonal vegetables. This one-pan marvel embodies the essence of a satisfying breakfast: a perfect blend of flavor, nutrition, and ease.

Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes


When hosting a barbecue, consider adding grilled turnips as a tasty side dish that complements your grilled meats perfectly. The smoky flavor from the charred exterior beautifully balances out the natural sweetness of the turnips, making for a delightful and easy-to-prepare accompaniment. This straightforward recipe requires minimal attention to yield tender and flavorful turnip slices.

Turnip and Dill Salad


The next highlight is a revitalizing turnip and dill salad that bursts with vibrancy from the harmonious union of its key components. This delectable creation shines as a perfect accompaniment to warm-weather outdoor gatherings, where its zesty flavor profile will undoubtedly bring a refreshing twist to your summer picnics or barbecues. With an impressive range of applications, this salad is equally at ease in the presence of various events and celebrations.

Turnip Salad


Simplicity can be a powerful ally in culinary creations. Take, for instance, the unassuming turnip, which shines when served raw. Its natural sharpness and refreshing quality make it an excellent base for a salad that will leave you craving more. This delectable turnip salad expertly leverages those qualities to craft a dish that’s both addictively crisp and utterly delightful. One of its greatest strengths lies in its ease of preparation, as the simple dressing and raw turnips combine to create a meal that can be assembled in no time at all.

Roasted Asparagus Salad


Warming up to the cooler seasons, a roasted salad serves as the perfect appetizer, simultaneously tantalizing the palate and satisfying the stomach. The beauty of this dish lies in its effortless presentation, where each element is carefully drizzled with a zesty vinaigrette, yet the real magic happens when the various flavors and textures are artfully strewn together, creating a delightfully chaotic medley that will leave you craving more.

Turnip Indian Recipes

In Indian cuisine, turnip proves to be an excellent match for the pungency and depth of spices that characterize this culinary tradition. Its versatility makes it an ideal substitute for potato in various dishes, while also adding a welcome layer of complexity to vegetarian options.

Turnip Kurma


In this vibrant green curry, turnip kurma boasts a harmonious balance of bold flavors and the subtle richness of coconut. While it’s ideal for cooking in a stovetop pressure cooker, you can also use alternative appliances to achieve the same delightful results. The freshly ground curry base plays a crucial role in deepening the flavors, making this dish a true masterpiece.

Gobi Gajar Shalgam Achar


From the rich cultural heritage of Punjab, this delectable winter pickle recipe combines the sweetness of carrots, the subtlety of cauliflower, and the earthiness of turnip to create an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. This versatile condiment pairs perfectly with a wide range of Indian-inspired dishes, making it a staple in any household.

Mutton Curry with Turnip


Savoring the richness of mutton, our final Indian-inspired recipe shines a spotlight on this often-overlooked meat. The resulting curry is a masterclass in earthy, comforting flavors, boasting a deep red hue that hints at its profound depth. As the turnips absorb every nuance of spice and herb, they release a symphony of taste with each satisfying bite.

Mashed Turnip Recipes

When prepared to perfection, mashed turnip boasts a silky, sweet, and indulgent flavor profile. Its versatility as an ingredient shines when combined with other roasted components, resulting in a harmonious culinary experience.

Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Turnips


While Brussels sprouts and turnips are often unfairly maligned, their partnership is a testament to the power of redemption. The addition of crispy bacon to these creamy mashed turnips not only elevates the dish but also serves as a convincing argument against their negative reputation.

Turnip Hash Brown Cakes


These delectable turnip hash brown cakes will delight anyone who appreciates a satisfying crunch. The incorporation of cornmeal is the key to achieving this textural perfection. To elevate the dish, these crispy treats are paired with an apple chutney that masterfully balances sweet and savory flavors.

Mashed Turnips


For those seeking a seamless integration of turnips into their culinary repertoire, mashed turnips offer an effortless solution. This delectable dish showcases the natural sweetness of turnips through its creamy and buttery texture, making it an excellent addition to any meal. Moreover, frozen turnips can be used with equal success in this recipe, providing the added convenience of year-round availability.

Roasted Turnip and Garlic Mash


Transform your turnip mash with the deep, rich flavor of roasted garlic. This indulgent twist provides a subtle yet persistent undertone that will keep you coming back for more. The mellow sweetness of the roasted garlic adds an earthy depth to the dish, making it perfect for accompanying any savory meal.

Carrot Turnip Mash


The humble root vegetable mash gets an upgrade when two star ingredients come together in harmony. The natural sweetness of carrots is beautifully balanced by the earthy nuttiness of turnips, resulting in a flavor profile that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The combination is elevated to new heights when a rich and savory gravy is drizzled over the top, adding depth and complexity to each creamy spoonful.

Keto Mashed Turnips


For those following the ketogenic lifestyle, turnips present a fantastic substitute for potatoes, boasting a similar flavor profile and texture. When topped with rich butter and a touch of seasoning, these straightforward keto mashed turnips are sure to become a staple on your plate.

Mashed Turnips with Bacon and Butter


Transform the essence of autumn into a delectable dish by combining the natural flavors of root vegetables with the richness of bacon and butter. This recipe is perfect for the holiday season, as it’s sure to become a staple at any gathering. The addition of brown sugar adds a deep, dark sweetness that pairs beautifully with your go-to holiday meal.

Best Turnip Recipes

Savoring the flavors of turnips demands more than just a passing glance. It requires recipes that elevate their humble nature, transporting you to a world where every morsel is savored and relished. In this culinary journey, we’ll embark on nine delectable adventures that showcase turnips’ understated charm.

Instant Pot Turnip Cake


Embark on a culinary journey to China as we begin our exploration of the best turnip recipes. In this first installment, we’re taking a trip in the Instant Pot to create mouthwatering turnip cakes that will leave you craving more. The combination of Chinese sausage and cured meat adds a depth of flavor and satisfying texture that’s hard to resist.

Creamy Turnip Soup


Indulge in the delightful nuances of turnip soup, a dish that effortlessly balances subtle sweetness with a hint of mildness. Its simplicity is its greatest strength, making it an ideal choice for a quick and effortless meal. With its phenomenal flavor profile, it’s no wonder this soup has captured the hearts of many. For added inspiration, explore other easy-to-make recipes like celery and carrot soup.

Parmesan Crusted Crushed Turnips


Indulge in the opulence of this delectable side dish, where tender sweet turnips are transformed into a masterpiece through the harmonious union of crispy Parmesan and a crunchy texture. The salty, savory notes of the cheese beautifully balance the natural sweetness of the turnips, resulting in a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Turnip Stir Fry


Indulge in the sweet and savory delight of stir-fried turnips, elevated by a rich honey sauce infused with the aromatic essence of ginger and garlic. This versatile recipe is perfect for topping a plate of noodles or rice, serving as a standalone side dish, or enjoying as a simple yet satisfying snack.

Beef Provencal with Root Vegetables


When it comes to cooking up a storm for special events, this Provencal recipe is an absolute winner. Its incredibly bold flavors make it perfect for occasions that call for a show-stopping dish. The rich, comforting taste is simply irresistible, and the addition of turnips takes it to the next level. These humble root vegetables have a unique ability to soak up all those amazing flavors, making them a match made in heaven when paired with this Provencal delight.

Meat and Veggies Pasties


Indulge your entire family in a single, satisfying serving with these mouthwatering meat and vegetable pasties. This delectable recipe cleverly combines an abundance of flavorful root vegetables, including the underrated yet crucial turnip. As a bonus, this easy side dish doubles as a convenient and portable meal for outdoor excursions or long road trips, thanks to its sealed pastry shell that locks in the savory flavors.

Roasted Turnip Hummus


When it comes to hummus, many people are content with the traditional combination of chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. However, for those looking to take their dip game to the next level, adding roasted turnips can be a game-changer. The subtle, earthy flavor of the turnips pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy texture of the hummus, while a drizzle of olive oil adds a depth of complexity that elevates the dish to new heights.

Japanese Turnip


In Japan, we find ourselves returning to the realm of roasted delights with the extraordinary hakurei turnips. These slender roots are elevated by an otherworldly miso maple sauce that harmonizes the earthy undertones of the turnips with the richness of miso and the subtle sweetness of maple. The synergy between these flavors is truly sublime, a testament to the magic that can occur when seemingly disparate elements come together in perfect culinary harmony.

Middle Eastern Turnip Stew


Shalgam, a humble turnip stew, belies its simplicity with an explosion of flavors. The sweet and sticky date molasses wraps itself around tender turnips, while succulent lamb adds depth to this hearty dish. This bold yet budget-friendly creation is nothing short of divine. For those who, like me, have discovered the joys of cooking with turnips, I’m curious – which recipe will you be trying first? Let’s hear about it in the comments!

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