How to Cook Turnips

Co-authored by JoAnna Minneci

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 References Approved

Commonly available at local produce stores and farm stands, turnips are nutritious and can offer an unexpected burst of flavor to almost any dish. A turnip has a bite like a radish but more closely resembles a potato when it's cooked. Turnips can be sautéed, grilled, blanched, roasted, or even enjoyed raw. If you want to know how to cook them in a variety of ways, just follow these steps.

Ingredients

Sautéed Turnips

3-4 small turnips
1 cup chopped onion
2 tbsp. butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Grilled Turnips

1 lb. sliced turnips
3 tbsp. olive oil, divided
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 tbsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
Zest of 1 lemon

Roasted Turnips

1 1/2 lbs. turnips
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Prepare Turnips

1
Choose the freshest turnips. Fresh turnips will feature a heavy skin, be firm to the touch, and have lush green tops. Avoid any turnips with brown spots or have unhealthy looking green tops, as these are sure indicators of older age. The older your turnip, the more bitter it will taste.
2
Use a sharp knife to cut off the green stalks.

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3
Rinse the turnips in cool water. This will remove any bacteria or dirt.
4
Peel the turnips. Use a sharp knife to peel the tough skin away from the turnips. If the turnip is already peeling or the skin is cracked, then you will need to peel the older layers away to expose the newer, fresher surface underneath. This is similar to the method for peeling an onion.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Sautée Turnips

1
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium low heat. Wait 30 seconds or so for the butter to heat up.^{[1]
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2
Sauté 1 cup of chopped onion in the skillet.
3
Slice 3-4 turnips into thin strips. Cut them into thin strips that resemble french fries.
4
Add the turnips to the skillet with the onion once it begins to soften. Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
5
Cook the turnips for 5 minutes and then reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking them until they're tender. Then, remove them from the heat and season them with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Serve. Sprinkle the turnips with 1 tbsp. of lemon juice, toss them to combine them with the vegetable, and serve them while they're hot.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Grill Turnips

1
Light a grill.^{[2]
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2
Quarter 1 pound of turnips. When you're done, run them through a toothpick to make the grilling process easier.
3
Brush the turnips on both sides with 1 tbsp. of olive oil.
4
Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Grill the turnips over moderately high heat until they're tender. It should take about two minutes to grill each side of the turnips. When you're done, move them to a platter.
6
Cook 1 tablespoon of garlic and 2 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat in a skillet. Wait 1-2 minutes until the oil is sizzling.
7
Reduce the heat to low. Cook the garlic for about 2 more minutes or until it's golden.
8
Turn off the heat and stir in 2 tablespoon of chopped parsley and 1 tsp. of pepper. Mix the ingredients until they're thoroughly combined.
9
Spoon the oil mixture over the turnips.
10
Serve. Top the turnips with the zest of 1 lemon and enjoy them while they're hot.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Roast Turnips

1
Preheat the oven to 500ºF (260ºC). Put the track in middle position.
2
Peel and quarter 1 1/2 lbs. of turnips. The pieces should resemble lemon slices.
3
Melt 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a small skillet.
4
Toss the turnips with the melted butter in a small bowl. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Place the turnips onto a roasting pan.^{[3]
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Expert Source

JoAnna Minneci
Professional Chef
Expert Interview. 23 November 2021.} Make sure to leave room between the pieces.
6
Roast the turnips for 25-30 minutes, until they're tender and brown. During the process, you should toss and shake the pan once or twice to make sure that the turnips are evenly roasted.
7
Serve. Enjoy these tasty roasted turnips while they're hot.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Cook Turnips in Other Ways

1
Substitute half of the potatoes in your usual favorite potato recipe with turnips.^{[4]
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Expert Source

JoAnna Minneci
Professional Chef
Expert Interview. 23 November 2021.}Prepare the turnips in the same manner you would the potatoes. The result will be a subtle, surprising flavor.
2
Slice the turnips and serve them raw. These slices can then be eaten alone with a dash of salt, or you can use them on hamburgers or other dishes in place of raw onions.
3
Grate the raw turnips. Use a cheese grater to grate them. Place them on top of your favorite salad. They'll add a crunchy texture and a bright flavor.
4
Mince the turnips and add them to soups. Place then into your favorite soups just before you cook them, just as you would with celery or onion pieces.They will simmer in the broth and add a rich flavor.
5
Blanch the turnips. Cut the turnips into thick slices, and blanch them in a steamer for 3 to 5 minutes. Place them atop a cookie sheet, and put them in an oven at 130ºF/54ºC for approximately 8 to 10 hours. Once they feel dry or brittle to your touch, remove them and let cool. Serve them dried as a snack, or add them to soup such as you would crackers.
6
Finished.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you prepare turnips to eat?

JoAnna Minneci
Professional Chef
JoAnna Minneci is a Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With more than 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specializes in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She has also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control.

JoAnna Minneci

Professional Chef

Expert Answer

You can roast them in a pan, you can put them in the last 20 minutes of a pot roast or you can pickle them with some beet juice, and these are only some ways of preparing turnips!
Question

How do you make mashed turnips?

JoAnna Minneci
Professional Chef
JoAnna Minneci is a Professional Chef based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. With more than 18 years of experience, Chef JoAnna specializes in teaching others how to cook through private cooking lessons, team-building events, and wellness and nutrition classes. She has also appeared in numerous television shows on networks such as Bravo and Food Network. Chef JoAnna received Culinary Arts training from the Art Institute of California at Los Angeles. She is also certified in sanitation, nutrition, kitchen management, and cost control.

JoAnna Minneci

Professional Chef

Expert Answer

You can just mash them just like you would a potato! It's a way lower carb option for a potato!
Question

Can I boil them with potatoes and onions and maybe some cooked bacon?

Fae Lynne

Community Answer

Yes! That would be delicious! Another suggestion is to slice them thinly and fry them like potatoes, or use them in place of potatoes in a beef (or any other type) stew.