This easy Turnip Casserole recipe features tender turnips baked with apples and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Enjoy this savory side dish with any main course!
If you're looking for a great way to add new and exciting side dishes to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, try using turnips!
Turnips are a root vegetable that is part of the cabbage family. They have white or cream-colored flesh with a slightly bitter taste.
When cooked, turnips become tender and take on the flavors of other ingredients they're paired with.
This turnip side dish recipe features sweet apples and brown sugar, giving the casserole a sweet and savory flavor. The breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunch to the dish, which rounds it out nicely.
This turnip casserole side dish is perfect for any holiday meal because it's warm and comforting and pairs well with traditional holiday dishes!
Try it with Stuffed Butternut Squash, Mushroom Wellington or Portobello Mushroom Steaks.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
A great way to use up turnips in-season.
This sweet and savory side is packed with a warming flavor that's great for the holidays.
The casserole is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or main course with added protein.
This recipe is perfect for those who have never tried turnips before! You're going to love them!
Ingredients
- Turnips - You can find this root vegetable at farmers' markets or in your grocery store near the carrots and parsnips. No turnips? Swap to rutabaga/swede.
- Apple - Adds a naturally sweet flavor to the dish along with a healthy crunch. Use your favorite eating apples.
- All Purpose Flour (plain flour) - Gives the casserole a thick, rich filling.
- Eggs - Binds all of the ingredients together, so they set properly when baked.
- Butter - Adds a rich buttery flavor throughout the casserole and helps make it creamy and satisfying.
- Brown Sugar - Adds additional sweet flavor that makes this dish warm and inviting.
- Seasonings - A mix of salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg helps balance and enhance the dish's overall flavor. The nutmeg adds a lovely warming flavor and aroma, and compliments the flavor of the turnips.
For the topping:
- Plain Dried Bread Crumbs - Gives the topping its classic crunch and golden brown color.
- Melted Butter - Adds a rich buttery flavor to the top and makes the topping browned.
- Salt - Enhances the flavor of the butter and bread crumbs.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this Turnip Casserole recipe? 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 for baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F / 190°C. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with oil or butter. Set aside.
Prepare the turnips: Wash and peel the turnips and cut them into small cubes. Place the turnips into a pot of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
Assemble the casserole filling: Add the cooked turnips to a mixing bowl with the diced apple, and toss with the flour and baking powder. Stir in the lightly beaten eggs, melted butter, sugar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Toss to combine, then pour into the prepared baking dish.
Top and bake: Whisk the topping ingredients together in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the turnip mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until risen and cooked through with a golden brown top. Serve while hot and enjoy!
Top tips
When choosing turnips, look for ones that are small, heavy for their size, and have smooth skin with no blemishes.
Ensure that the turnips and apples are all cut roughly the same size. This helps them cook evenly.
For the best flavor, use sweet, eating apples, like Honeycrisp or gala.
If you don't have plain bread crumbs, you can use panko breadcrumbs or even cracker crumbs.
If the top looks like it is getting too browned, you can add a layer of foil to the top for the remainder of the cooking time.
You can also make this urnip casserole in a slow cooker. Simply assemble the ingredients in the pot, set it on low, and cook for four hours or until the turnips are tender.
Do you still have more turnips to use up? Try these Turnip Recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at a dinner party along with colorful Stuffed Butternut Squash.
You can pair this baked turnip casserole with a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday side dish such as Vegan Stuffing or Vegan Mashed Potatoes.
Makes a great addition to other vegetable side dishes like Green Beans Almondine, Braised Red Cabbage, or Air Fryer Beets.
Variations
Instead of turnips, you can use chopped rutabaga, parsnips, or celery root/celeriac.
If you want a savory casserole, omit the brown sugar and add shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Storage
Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave as needed.
This recipe can also be made ahead of time for up to 24 hours. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it, and store it in the fridge until ready to bake. Add an extra five minutes to the baking time.
Freezing is not recommended as the turnips and apples will become mushy when thawed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you love this recipe, please leave a five-star rating and review in the comments below! And if you make any modifications, let us know how it went so that we can all benefit from your experience. Happy cooking!
FAQs
Many things go well with turnips! They can be enjoyed roasted, mashed, or in this case - in a casserole. Turnips pair well with other root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips. They also taste great with apples, onions, garlic, cheese, and nuts.
Turnips are naturally a bit bitter, but this can be reduced by cooking them properly. They can also be paired with sweet flavors like apples and brown sugar to balance them.
Yes, turnips can be prepared and cooked up to 3 days in advance. Store them in the fridge in an airtight container until ready to use.
More Root Vegetable Side Dishes
📖 Recipe
Turnip Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 turnips (600g)
- 1 apple peeled, cored and diced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the topping
- 1 cup plain dried bread crumbs (125g)
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F / 190°C. Grease an 8-inch square baking dish with oil or butter.
- Peel the turnips and cut into small cubes.
- Place the turnips into a pot of water, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
- Add the cooked turnips to a mixing bowl with the diced apple, and toss with the flour and baking powder.
- Stir in the lightly beaten eggs, melted butter, sugar, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine, then pour into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk the topping ingredients together, then sprinkle over the turnip mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until risen and cooked.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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.
kushigalu
WOW! WHat an interesting recipe! I have never tried something like this before. Thanks for sharing/.
Shadi
I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.
Kim
I love that you added the slow cooker directions at the end! I bet this will smell amazing cooking in my crockpot when I get home from work!
Stephanie
I'm one of those people who has never tried a turnip before. I've heard of combining them with potatoes, but never apples! I think this is a good way for me to try them!
Nikki
This sweet and savory turnip casserole look fantastic. It's a perfect side dish for the Holidays.
Charla
How creative! This is definitely an ingenius way to use up some turnips.