This easy Oven Roasted Turnips recipe takes a tasty root vegetable and turns it into a comforting side dish in just 30 minutes. These herbed roasted turnips with a dash of nutmeg are a great low-carb and low-calorie alternative to potatoes.
Easy Roasted Turnips are a quick and easy side dish that's full of flavor. It's a great way to use up the seasonal root vegetable!
Turnips are an often-overlooked root vegetable. But they're low in calories and low carb and are budget-friendly.
They're also delicious roasted in the oven - the outside is lightly crisp and the insides are beautifully tender.
This roasted turnips recipe takes fresh turnips and tosses them with oil and a light seasoning of salt, pepper, and nutmeg. It's then roasted in the oven until fork-tender making a nutritious side dish that pairs well with any meal!
These herbed roasted turnips are great with any protein and are a great way to get a helping of flavor and nutrition.
Turnips are a deliciously unique root vegetable. They are shaped similar to beets with a round bulb shape and come topped with greens.
The flesh is similar to the texture of an apple and it's slightly spicy when raw.
When cooked or roasted, this root veggie becomes earthy, nutty, and slightly sweet making it the perfect vehicle for herbs and spices.
If you're looking for more roasted vegetables, then you'll also love my Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Celeriac, Roasted Zucchini, and Roasted Baby Potatoes.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
It's a great way to introduce anyone to the fresh earthy flavor of turnips.
You can season them however you enjoy with various herbs and spices.
They are cooked in 30 minutes or less making it an easy weeknight side dish.
Turnips are an inexpensive root vegetable where the root and the leaves are edible.
They can be served on a bed of your favorite grains to make a hearty meal.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make roasted turnips!
- Turnips - This earthy root vegetable transforms into a wonderful side when roasted in the oven.
- Olive Oil - Roasts the turnips so they get crispy on the outside and stay fork-tender on the inside.
- Seasonings - You’ll need salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg to season the turnips before roasting. But you can switch the nutmeg to your favorite spices or just leave it out.
- Fresh Thyme or Rosemary - Makes a great optional garnish that gives flavor and a pop of green color.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to roast turnips? It's easy! Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare the turnips: After preheating your oven to 440F/200C, wash the turnips well, then peel the outside with a vegetable peeler. Cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes.
Season the turnips: Add the cubed turnips to the baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil and seasonings. Toss until all of the turnips are coated thoroughly.
Oven roast the turnips: Make sure the seasoned turnips are in a single layer on the baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes flipping halfway through. Roasted turnips should be golden on the outside and tender on the inside. Remove from the oven and top with fresh herbs before serving.
Top tips
Turnips are a root vegetable which means they are pulled straight from the dirt. Be sure to wash and peel them before roasting for best results.
The time it takes to roast turnips will depend on the size of the cubes. You can make them bigger or smaller, but make sure you adjust the cooking time and check them regularly.
The oven temperature should not go lower than 440F/200C as this will not properly create dry heat to roast the vegetables.
Make sure the seasoned turnips are in a single layer on your baking sheet to prevent them from steaming and becoming mushy.
Serving Suggestions
Makes a great side dish to a hearty vegan Portobello Mushroom Steak.
Toss roasted turnips into a Healthy Cabbage Soup for more flavor and nutrition.
A great addition to a Persian Roasted Eggplant Salad.
Add some on top of a bed of Turmeric Rice for a filling vegan and vegetarian meal.
Variations
Add some parsnips or carrots to the mix for a naturally sweet burst of flavors.
Try adding some warming cinnamon or ginger to the seasonings to pair with the spicy savory flavors of turnip.
Make a spicy turnip side by sprinkling with red pepper flakes or sprinkling with cayenne pepper.
Instead of olive oil, use melted butter to roast the turnips for a decadent buttery flavor.
Top with fresh oregano, sage, or Italian parsley for a fresh herb taste.
A squeeze of lemon juice on top of the roasted turnips helps cut through the natural spicy and earthy flavor.
Storage
Storing: Any leftover roasted turnips can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Freezing: Due to the high water content in turnips, they will change their texture too much when thawed. Therefore, freezing is not recommended.
FAQs
While raw turnips have a slightly spicy flavor, when cooked they become nutty and earthy.
How do you get the bitterness out of turnips?
Raw turnips will often have a bitter flavor. The best way to combat this is by cooking the turnip either by boiling or roasting in the oven.
While baby turnips do not need to be peeled, regular-sized turnips are best when peeled as the outside can harbor dirt and impurities which can affect the taste of the cooked turnips.
More vegetable side dish recipes
Roasted turnips make a delicious side dish. Get your five-a-day with these other tasty vegetable side dish recipes too!
Sign up for our free newsletter and never miss a recipe!
Plus, you'll get a free eBook: 15 Minute Vegan Dinners!
📖 Recipe
Roasted Turnips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb 900g turnips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper
To serve (optional)
- Sprigs of thyme and/or rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Peel the turnips and cut into similarly sized chunks (about 1 inch).
- Toss the turnip chunks in the oil and nutmeg, then spread out in a single layer on baking sheets. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the turnips for about 30 minutes until soft and golden, flipping halfway through. The time will depend on the size of your turnip pieces, so check and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Serve warm.
- If desired, serve topped with thyme.
Notes
- What does roasted turnip taste like? While raw turnips have a slightly spicy flavor, when cooked they become nutty and earthy.
- How do you get the bitterness out of turnips? Raw turnips will often have a bitter flavor. The best way to combat this is by cooking the turnip either by boiling or roasting in the oven.
- Do you peel turnips before you cook them? While baby turnips do not need to be peeled, regular-sized turnips are best when peeled as the outside can harbor dirt and impurities which can affect the taste of the cooked turnips.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Gloria
What a delicious way to enjoy this tasty root vegetable. Perfect for the holiday dinner table. Easy to make gets bonus points too.
Jess
This was so good! I had wanted to eat fewer carbs during Thanksgiving so I used turnips. Yum!
Michelle
Love how quick and easy it is to roast turnips! Will have to give this a try in place of potatoes 🙂
Dana Sandonato
Turnips really are underrated! I find them to be just as good as sweet potatoes when cubed and roasted like this. Loved the addition of the nutmeg, too.
Kate
I LOVE turnips, (can't quite convince the rest of my family... yet!). I usually braise them in stock but roasting tastes even better, delicious!