What do turnips taste like?

For whatever reason, many people avoid turnips, simply assuming they taste bad.

But this is very far from the truth. Unlike other root vegetables, turnips don’t taste very earthy or bitter, and you’ll probably be surprised by how much of a contribution they make to a meal.

What do turnips taste like? Young root vegetables are mild, with a delicate sweetness and just a hint of pepper. As they age, they become a bit woodier, but many people enjoy the depth of their flavor in a roasted or mashed recipe.

In this article we will go into detail about the taste of turnips, comparing them to other more common vegetables that you are probably familiar with.

We’ll also give you some tips for preparing turnips and getting the best out of this underrated root vegetable.

What does the turnip taste like?

Turnips are a very interesting root vegetable, as they taste slightly different for each person.

Turnips most commonly have a slightly spicy flavor, which is not uncommon as they are part of the same family as mustard greens and radishes.

This spiciness is mixed with the flavor of cabbage , which is also not surprising because turnips are cruciferous vegetables with many sulfur-based compounds.

On the other side of the spectrum, others find turnips to be more of a cross between a potato and a carrot. They find the turnip to have more of a simple, semi-sweet flavor, with a slightly starchy, crunchy texture.

The moment of eating the turnip will undoubtedly influence the taste of this root vegetable. Turnips tend to get hotter and more bitter as they age, so a young, tender turnip will be much softer and crunchier.

What do turnip greens taste like?

The leaves of young turnips are smooth, fresh, and slightly sweet.

They taste much like a young turnip, although more concentrated in flavor. The leaves become more bitter as they grow, and many find them hotter as well.

You can eat them raw, chopped into a fresh green salad, and they will add a unique spiciness, not unlike arugula, though not quite as bitter or strong-tasting.

When cooked, they lose much of their bitterness. So if you have older leaves, sautéing them in a little olive oil, minced garlic and adding some fresh ground salt is a winning combination.

Turnips vs. Potatoes

If you’re trying to introduce more vegetables into your family’s favorite meals, adding turnips to mashed potatoes is a good starting point.

This white tuber will blend perfectly with the potatoes and the flavors will blend nicely, giving the resulting mash a sweeter taste, but not outrageously different.

But do turnips taste like potatoes?  Most people would say no.

If you taste these two vegetables one after the other, there is a significant difference in taste. The texture may be similar, although potatoes are starchier than turnips.

Turnips have a spicy undertone and a sweeter flavor than potatoes, although much of the spiciness wears off when cooked, leaving only a simple sweet flavor that does have hints of potato.

However, you can substitute one for the other in recipes , since they cook almost the same. Although they are certainly not the same vegetable, so the taste of your food will be different.

turnips and kohlrabi

Turnips and rutabagas are from the same family, Brassica, and, as cruciferous root vegetables, have a similar flavor.

In fact, rutabagas are believed to be an ancient hybrid of cabbage and turnip. In many parts of the world, rutabagas are even called rutabagas, or simply swedes.

Turnips are usually harvested when quite young, to avoid the woody, bitter taste they develop as they age. Rutabagas, however, are allowed to grow much longer, so they are quite large when they are finally harvested.

Younger vegetables are usually sweeter, and this is true of turnips, but rutabagas as a vegetable are naturally sweeter than turnips, even the young roots.

turnips and radishes

Both turnips and radishes are in the Brassica family, and have a similar note of pepper, although it’s much more pronounced in a standard red radish.

Daikon radish, however, is milder and has more in common with turnips, flavor-wise, although its texture is quite different.

A turnip actually looks like a large, overgrown white radish . One thing turnips and radishes have in common is that their leaves are often ignored or discarded, even though they are incredibly nutritious and delicious.

Turnip tops from radishes are quite a bit spicier than turnip tops, but both tops taste like concentrated, green versions of their roots.

Can you eat turnips raw?

Yes, raw turnips are a great addition to a salad, grated into a salad, or thinly sliced to add a little crunch to your sandwiches, burgers, and even wraps.

If you plan to eat the turnips raw, buy young turnips. Look for bulbs that are small and heavy for their size and that do not have cracked or wrinkled skin.

What is a good substitute for turnip?

Taste-wise, the best turnip substitute is kohlrabi . They are very similar, although the kohlrabi is a bit sweeter. The texture and consistency are also almost identical.

If you substitute turnips because you don’t like the flavor but have a recipe that calls for them, you can usually substitute a white potato and get similar results in a recipe.

If you want even more flavor, you can combine the cabbage with the radish in a raw dish, or the cabbage with some mustard greens in a cooked dish.

Either way, you’ll get the sweet, slightly sulfurous flavor of cabbage along with the spiciness of radish or mustard greens.

Although you can cook with radishes, they lose their heat when exposed to heat, so it wouldn’t be the same.

how to cook turnips

Turnips are incredibly versatile and it’s almost impossible to cook them wrong.

The only step that you should not ignore is to peel the turnips. Young roots peel very easily, although if you have a slightly older turnip, a Y-peeler is the easiest solution, unless you’re quick and handy with a vegetable knife.

Most of the time, turnips are boiled or roasted.

If you boil or steam the turnips, you can serve them as a garnish, enhanced with a little garlic butter or fresh herbs like dill, rosemary, or basil. You can also puree them for a creamy, sweet alternative to mashed potatoes.

If you prefer to roast your vegetables, tossing them first with olive oil and some fresh or dried spices will bring out their flavor and add a buttery crunch to the outer edges.

Roasted turnips taste delicious when combined with other root vegetables, such as beets, carrots, and of course, potatoes.

How to make turnips taste good

If you’re not already a fan of turnips, or if you have aged turnips that are a bit bitter, you can embellish their flavor with a few culinary tricks and treats, like salt, butter, and cream.

Each of those ingredients will cut through the bitter taste of any vegetable and add a rich, creamy touch to it. Better yet, roast some garlic and add it to the butter and cream as well.

Turnips also taste great with fresh herbs that lean toward the sweet, floral side of the herbal spectrum. Try roasting your turnips with a little dill, rosemary, or basil.

Turnip Nutrition [Table]

Related questions

What does a turnip look like?

There are different varieties of turnip that each have a slightly different coloration, but most turnips have mostly white bulbs that tend to turn purple near the top of the root, where the leaves begin to grow. The top is standard leafy green.

Turnips and rutabagas are often confused because of their white and purple coloring, and they are related, though unique, vegetables.

Can you eat the skin of the turnip?

Turnip skin is safe to eat, but not common. They are not particularly difficult to peel with a regular vegetable peeler, and the skin has a bitterness that lingers, leaving an unfavorable aftertaste in the mouth.

If you have a young turnip, fresh from the garden, the skin is probably thin and fresh enough that it’s not overly bitter, so this would be the best way to try it if you’re curious.

Can dogs eat turnips?

Turnips are absolutely safe for dogs, and are considered a delicacy in the canine world (so we’ve heard). Most dogs go crazy for turnips, so they are healthy, low-calorie treats that your pup will love.

You can serve them to your dog with his food, as long as they are cooked or roasted naturally.

Dogs don’t need seasoning to enjoy their food, and salt is not good for them . You can also give small raw turnips or dried turnip pieces as chewy treats.

However, as with any new food, start with small amounts and let your dog’s digestion get used to them. It’s also a good idea to consult your vet whenever you introduce a new “people” food to your dog.