Turnips are one of those vegetables that don’t always get the attention they deserve. They may look simple, but their slightly sweet, earthy flavour makes them a wonderful ingredient for so many different meals. Whether you have a basket of fresh turnips from the market or a few sitting in your refrigerator, there are plenty of delicious ways to use them.
One thing I love about turnips is how versatile they are in the kitchen. You can roast them until golden, mash them into a creamy side dish, add them to soups, or slice them into fresh salads. They also taste wonderful when cooked with butter, garlic, herbs, cheese, and other vegetables.
I’ve gathered 16 turnip recipes from different food bloggers and recipe creators to give you some inspiration. From comforting casseroles and hearty soups to crispy roasted sides and tangy pickles, there’s something here for every occasion.
16 Turnip Recipes to Try
1. Chicken Broth-Braised Turnips
If you want a simple but flavourful way to prepare turnips, this braised version is a lovely place to start. The turnips are gently cooked in chicken broth with butter, sugar, and fresh tarragon until they become tender and soak up all those delicious flavours.
I particularly like the idea of serving these alongside roasted chicken or grilled meat. The buttery sauce and fresh herbs make an ordinary vegetable side dish feel a little more special.
2. Buttered Turnip Purée
Mashed potatoes are always popular, but have you ever tried making a creamy purée with turnips? This recipe combines cooked turnips with milk, garlic, thyme, and butter to create a smooth and comforting side dish.
The result is rich, creamy, and slightly earthy, making it a wonderful alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. Serve it with roast chicken, beef, or your favourite vegetable dishes for a satisfying meal.
3. Turnip, Potato and Garlic Soup
This turnip, potato, and garlic soup is perfect when you want something warm and comforting. The potatoes give the soup a creamy texture, while turnips add a slightly sweet and earthy flavour that makes it different from ordinary potato soup.
What makes this recipe especially appealing is the crispy fried onion topping. Serve it with toasted bread or homemade garlic bread for a simple lunch or dinner.
4. Sweet Potato Turnip Gratin
If you enjoy cheesy baked vegetable dishes, this sweet potato turnip gratin is worth adding to your list. Thinly sliced sweet potatoes and turnips are layered together and baked with a creamy mixture and Parmesan cheese.
The sweet potatoes balance the slightly earthy flavour of turnips, while the cheese creates a delicious golden topping. This is a lovely side dish for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or weekend meals.
5. Shaved Turnip Salad
Not every turnip recipe needs to involve cooking. This shaved turnip salad uses thin slices of raw turnips to create a fresh and crunchy dish with a slightly peppery flavour.
I love this idea for anyone who wants to try turnips in a different way. The simple dressing helps balance the natural sharpness of the vegetable, making it a refreshing side dish for grilled meats, sandwiches, or other everyday meals.
6. Mustardy Mashed Turnips and Potatoes
This recipe brings together two familiar root vegetables to create a creamy and flavourful side dish. Turnips and potatoes are mashed together with whole-grain mustard and sour cream, giving the mixture a lovely balance of earthy, tangy, and creamy flavours.
The mustard adds a little extra character without overpowering the vegetables. Serve this alongside roasted chicken, sausages, or grilled meat whenever you want something different from regular mashed potatoes.
7. Roasted Turnips
Roasting is one of the easiest ways to bring out the natural sweetness of turnips. This recipe combines turnip wedges with butter, olive oil, shallots, and fresh thyme before roasting them until tender and lightly golden.
I particularly like how few ingredients are needed to create a flavourful dish. These roasted turnips are a great side for roast chicken, beef, or almost any main course.
8. Turnip Gratin
If you love creamy casseroles, this turnip gratin is a delicious way to enjoy root vegetables. Thinly sliced turnips are layered with a rich cream mixture, garlic, thyme, and white cheddar cheese before being baked until tender.
The cheese creates a lovely golden topping, while the creamy layers make the turnips soft and comforting. This is a wonderful choice for dinner parties or holiday meals when you want an impressive vegetable side dish.
9. Glazed Carrots and Turnips
Carrots and turnips make a lovely combination because their flavours complement each other so well. This recipe cooks both vegetables with butter and a little sugar, creating a light glaze that brings out their natural sweetness.
It’s a simple side dish that doesn’t require many ingredients or complicated preparation. I think it would be especially nice alongside roast chicken, grilled fish, or a traditional family dinner.
10. Sweet-and-Sour Skillet Glazed Turnips
If you enjoy dishes that combine sweet and tangy flavours, these skillet-glazed turnips are a great option. The turnips are cooked with butter and a little sugar before white wine vinegar and fresh chives are added to create a delicious finishing touch.
What makes this recipe appealing is its simplicity. You can prepare it in one skillet and serve it as a quick vegetable side dish with your favourite main course.
11. Apple, Turnip and Sage Dressing
Traditional stuffing gets an interesting twist in this recipe by adding turnips and apples to the mixture. The apples bring a little sweetness, while turnips add an earthy flavour that works beautifully with fresh sage and other herbs.
I love this idea for holiday meals because it offers something a little different from ordinary bread stuffing. Serve it alongside roasted chicken, turkey, or other festive main dishes.
12. Pink Pickled Turnips
These pink pickled turnips are as beautiful as they are flavourful. Turnips are combined with beetroot, vinegar, salt, and a little sugar to create colourful pickles with a refreshing tangy taste.
The beetroot gives the turnips their lovely pink colour, making them look beautiful when served. They are perfect alongside sandwiches, burgers, grilled meats, or Middle Eastern-inspired meals.
13. Turnips with Garlicky Breadcrumbs and Parmesan
Garlic and Parmesan are a wonderful combination, and this recipe uses both to give simple turnips plenty of flavour. The turnips are steamed until tender and finished with lemon, crispy garlicky breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
The crunchy topping makes this dish particularly interesting because it adds texture to the soft vegetables. This is a lovely option when you want a vegetable side dish that feels a little more exciting than plain boiled turnips.
14. Crunchy Turnip, Apple and Brussels Sprout Slaw
This crunchy slaw combines raw turnips, fresh apples, and Brussels sprouts to create a refreshing salad with plenty of texture. Lemon and ginger bring a bright flavour that balances the natural sweetness of the apples.
I particularly like this recipe for lunch or as a fresh side dish at dinner. It’s also a great way to enjoy turnips without cooking them, especially when you want something light and crunchy.
15. Turnips with Bacon and Pickled Mustard Seeds
If you enjoy savoury dishes with bold flavours, this turnip recipe is worth exploring. Sweet Hakurei turnips are paired with crispy bacon and pickled mustard seeds, creating a combination of earthy, salty, and tangy flavours.
The different textures make this dish especially interesting. Serve it as a side with roasted meat or include it in a special dinner menu when you want to try something a little different.
16. Roasted Turnips and Mushrooms
Turnips and mushrooms are a wonderful combination for anyone who enjoys earthy vegetable flavours. This simple recipe roasts baby turnips and mushrooms with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper until everything becomes tender and golden.
What I like about this dish is that it uses just a handful of everyday ingredients. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, or other roasted vegetables for an easy and flavourful dinner side.
Conclusion
Turnips are much more versatile than many people realise, and these recipes show just how many delicious ways you can prepare them. From creamy mashed turnips and cheesy gratins to fresh salads, hearty soups, and colourful pickles, there’s something for every type of meal.
My favourite ideas from this collection would be the sweet potato turnip gratin, garlic Parmesan turnips, and pink pickled turnips. They offer different flavours and textures, making them great inspiration when you want to try something new with this humble vegetable.
Save this collection for the next time you have fresh turnips in your kitchen. Which of these recipes would you like to try first?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do turnips taste like?
Turnips have a slightly sweet, earthy, and mildly peppery flavour. Younger turnips are usually more tender and mild, while larger and older ones can have a stronger taste.
2. Do you need to peel turnips before cooking?
Larger turnips usually benefit from peeling because their skin can be tougher. Small, young turnips often have tender skin that can be scrubbed clean and cooked without peeling.
3. Can you eat turnips raw?
Yes! Turnips can be eaten raw, especially when they are young and tender. Try slicing or grating them into salads and slaws for a refreshing crunch.
4. What is the best way to cook turnips?
Turnips can be roasted, boiled, steamed, mashed, braised, or sautéed. Roasting is a particularly good option because it helps bring out their natural sweetness.
5. Can you eat turnip greens?
Absolutely! Turnip greens are edible and can be sautéed, steamed, or added to soups and stews. They are also delicious when cooked with garlic, onions, or other seasonings.
6. What vegetables go well with turnips?
Turnips pair well with carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, onions, and mushrooms. They also work beautifully with fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
7. How should I store fresh turnips?
Remove the leafy tops before storing the roots because the greens can draw moisture from them. Keep the turnips in a breathable bag in the refrigerator and store the greens separately.
8. Can I freeze turnips?
Yes! Turnips can be frozen for later use. Peel and cut them into pieces, blanch them briefly in boiling water, cool them in ice water, drain well, and freeze in airtight freezer-safe bags.
