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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Turnip Casserole

Published: Sep 27, 2022 · Modified: Nov 30, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · 6 Comments

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Plate of turnip casserole.
Baking dish of turnip casserole with a scoop out.

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!

Wooden table with a dish of turnip casserole.
Turnip Casserole

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.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Top tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • FAQs
  • More Root Vegetable Side Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

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 on a table.

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.

Peeling and part boiling chopped turnips.

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.

Turnips and apples in a bowl, tossing with filling ingredients.

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.

Casserole in the dish, sprinkling with bradcrumbs.

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!

Baking dish of turnip casserole with a scoop out.

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.

Close up of a plate of turnip casserole.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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

What goes good with turnips?

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.

How do you make turnips taste less bitter?

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.

Can turnips be prepared in advance?

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

  • Roasted Rutabaga
  • Honey Roasted Parsnips
  • Roasted Turnips
  • Maple Glazed Carrots with Cayenne

📖 Recipe

Baking dish of turnip casserole with a scoop out.

Turnip Casserole

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
This easy Turnip Casserole recipe features tender turnips baked with apples and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. A tasty, savory side dish.
5 from 11 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 161 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking dish

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

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 409mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 247IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 1mg

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.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Comments

    5 from 11 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. kushigalu

    October 02, 2022 at 3:30 pm

    5 stars
    WOW! WHat an interesting recipe! I have never tried something like this before. Thanks for sharing/.

    Reply
  2. Shadi

    October 01, 2022 at 3:28 pm

    5 stars
    I Just tried this recipe and my family loved it. It was so easy and the flavors were fantastic.

    Reply
  3. Kim

    September 27, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  4. Stephanie

    September 27, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  5. Nikki

    September 27, 2022 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    This sweet and savory turnip casserole look fantastic. It's a perfect side dish for the Holidays.

    Reply
  6. Charla

    September 27, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    How creative! This is definitely an ingenius way to use up some turnips.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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