Turnips, with their mild, slightly sweet flavor and versatility in the kitchen, pair beautifully with a variety of herbs, enhancing their taste and adding depth to your culinary creations. Whether you’re roasting, steaming, or incorporating them into a gratin, these herbs will elevate your turnip dishes to new heights:
Classic Herbs:
- Thyme: This aromatic herb brings a warm, earthy flavor to turnips, complementing their sweetness and adding a touch of complexity. Thyme is a versatile choice, working well in both roasted and steamed turnip dishes.
- Dill: The fresh, slightly anise-like flavor of dill pairs exceptionally well with the mild sweetness of turnips. It adds a refreshing touch to roasted or steamed turnips and is a classic accompaniment in Scandinavian cuisine.
- Bay Leaf: This aromatic leaf adds a subtle, warm flavor to turnip dishes, particularly when used in stews or braises. Bay leaf infuses the dish with a hint of woodiness and depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Additional Herbs for Exploration:
- Parsley: This fresh, slightly peppery herb adds a bright note to turnip dishes, balancing their sweetness and adding a touch of complexity. Parsley is a versatile choice, working well in both cooked and raw turnip preparations.
- Chives: The delicate oniony flavor of chives complements the mild sweetness of turnips, adding a subtle sharpness and freshness. Chives are a great finishing touch for roasted or steamed turnips, or can be incorporated into dips and spreads.
- Rosemary: This fragrant herb adds a robust, woodsy flavor to turnips, particularly when roasted or grilled. Rosemary pairs well with the sweetness of turnips, creating a balanced and flavorful combination.
- Sage: The earthy, slightly peppery flavor of sage adds a unique dimension to turnip dishes. It pairs well with roasted or sautéed turnips, adding a warm and savory note.
Spice Pairings:
- Nutmeg: This warm, slightly sweet spice enhances the natural sweetness of turnips, adding a touch of warmth and complexity. Nutmeg is a classic addition to turnip gratins and mashed turnips.
- Cumin: The earthy, slightly smoky flavor of cumin adds a unique depth to turnip dishes. It pairs well with roasted or sautéed turnips, adding a warm and savory note.
- Coriander: The citrusy, slightly floral flavor of coriander seeds complements the sweetness of turnips, adding a refreshing and aromatic touch. Coriander seeds are a great addition to roasted or stir-fried turnips.
Tips for Using Herbs with Turnips:
- Freshness is key: Use fresh herbs whenever possible for the best flavor. If using dried herbs, use about 1/3 the amount of fresh herbs.
- Experiment with combinations: Try different combinations of herbs to create your own unique flavor profiles.
- Add herbs at the right time: For fresh herbs, add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their flavor. For dried herbs, add them earlier in the cooking process to allow their flavors to develop.
- Adjust to taste: Start with a small amount of herbs and adjust to your preference.
Turnips, with their versatility and mild flavor, offer a blank canvas for culinary creativity. By incorporating the right herbs and spices, you can transform simple turnip dishes into flavorful and satisfying meals. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, experimenting with different herb and spice combinations will elevate your turnip dishes to new heights. Enjoy exploring the world of flavors that await!
Step 2: Roast Turnips
After transferring the turnips to a baking sheet, bake them. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Why We Love This Recipe For Roasted Turnips
This simple recipe for roasted turnips is a great option to try, regardless of your experience level with turnips.
It’s easy to learn how to roast turnips, which are purple-topped root vegetables, to create golden, delicious turnips that are perfectly caramelized on the outside and creamy white and tender on the inside.
If turnips are a new vegetable to you, you probably want to know how to cook them and might be surprised to hear that they’re actually quite nutritious and low in carbohydrates. Once you’ve tried them roasted, try our turnip casserole or these creamed turnips.
Turnips 101 – Herbs and Spices That Go With Turnips
FAQ
What makes turnips taste better?
Why put baking soda in turnips?
What spices go well with roasted turnip?
With a little creativity, turnips can make a delightful contribution to meals all year round. Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander and cardamon tease out the sweetness of the turnip and add an exotic flavor. The key is to tread lightly. For 1 lb. of roasted turnip, start by dusting with just 1/4 tsp. of ground spice.
Are turnips keto friendly?
Although many root vegetables don’t fit well into a keto-friendly diet, turnips are one of the keto-friendly root vegetables. Per one cup serving turnips contain at about 6 grams of net carbohydrates. The total daily carbohydrate goal for most ketogenic diets is about 30 grams per day. Turnips are low in carbohydrates and are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
What to serve with turnip recipes?
Here are some ideas to serve with your turnip recipes: Chicken – If you want a complete meal that’s done all at once, consider cooking turnips with chicken breast recipes in the oven together. You can also simply add them to my sheet pan chicken thighs recipe.
What kind of oil do you use to cook turnips?
Cut the turnips into large bite sized pieces. Avocado oil is our preferred neutral cooking oil for cooking turnips; however organic canola oil or olive oil will work just as well when coating the chunks of turnips. You could also use clarified melted butter or ghee which can withstand the high heat of roasting.