• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Side Dishes

    Published: Oct 20, 2022 · Modified: Dec 20, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Roasted Turnips with Bacon and Goat Cheese

    79 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Roasted turnips with goat cheese in a white serving dish.
    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a white serving dish with a blue towel.
    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a cast iron skillet.
    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a cast iron skillet.

    An easy recipe for roasted turnips, this side dish is anything but boring. This turnip recipe is seasoned with rosemary and a tangy mustard dressing and topped with crispy bacon and creamy goat cheese.

    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a cast iron skillet.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    From roasted rutabagas to mashed celery root, my warm and hardy vegetable recipes are my claim to fame. What can I day? I have a thing for root vegetables.

    Jump to:
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Roast Turnips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🌡️Storage
    • More Root Vegetable Recipes
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    Turnips get a bad rap, they are a little sharp with a slight radish flavor. The key isn't to cover it up with honey or sugar but instead to balance it with fat and acid.

    By rendering bacon and then frying the turnips in the fat we are caramelizing the outside of the turnip and letting its natural sugars change the overall flavor profile.

    Pan-frying before roasting the turnips in the oven ensures the perfect texture. And adding our red wine vinegar dressing at the end when they are soft enough to absorb the flavor is just perfection.

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    Most grocery stores carry one or two types of turnips. The purple top turnip, which is what I used in this recipe, and white turnips. Either variety can be used in this recipe.

    What is important is the size of the turnip. Smaller-sized, baby turnips are mainly available in the summer months. They can be trimmed of their leafy greens and cut in half. They do not need to be peeled.

    These greens can be used in our sauteed greens recipe as a complementary side dish.

    Larger turnips, larger than 2 to 3 inches, are most often found October through February. The turnips should be peeled and cut into a 1-inch dice. By the time they make it to your grocery store the larger turnips typically do not have the greens still attached.

    Bacon- Any variety you like. You can also use pancetta.

    Red Wine Vinegar- Any milk vinegar will work like rice vinegar or champagne vinegar.

    Shallots- The onion won't be cooked so if you need to substitute use finely diced sweet onion.

    Fresh Rosemary- I would suggest other fresh herbs like chives, sage, or thyme over substituting with dried rosemary.

    You will also need goat cheese, Dijon mustard, and honey.

    💭 Vegetarian Variation

    To make this recipe vegetarian, omit the bacon. Instead, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your pan. Pan-fry and roast your turnips according to the recipe instructions.

    Recipe ingredients on a counter.

    See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    ⏲️How to Roast Turnips

    I am going to blow your mind; we are going to take what some people call a bitter flavor and turn it into something unbelievable. And while just dicing up turnips and throwing them on a baking pan is fine.

    I think your dinner plate deserves better.

    Step 1- Crisp the Bacon

    Cut your bacon into ¼ inch strips or do a small dice if using pancetta. Cook on low heat to medium heat so that the fat slowly renders out.

    Once crisped up, use a slotted spoon to drain it on paper towels. Now is a good time to hide the bacon because if you're like me, you are going to be snacking on it while the turnips roast!

    While the bacon is rendering you can work on cleaning, trimming, and peeling the turnips.

    Step 2- Pan Fry

    Drain off any excess fat, 1 to 2 tablespoons is fine. Place your turnips in a single layer in the pan. I prefer to have the flat side down to start.

    Unlike with other roasted vegetables, you can wedge them in there tight. They are going to shrink up.

    Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Check them after 5 minutes and if they are getting too dark, turn the heat down.

    Turnips in a cast iron skillet being topped with dressing.

    Step 3- Bake

    Flip the turnips and pop the pan into a preheated 425-degree F oven. You may have noticed we haven't seasoned them with salt and pepper. No worries! The salt from the bacon and the mustard will season them up just right.

    Speaking over which, while the turnips are enjoying their oven sauna. You need to make the sauce.

    In a small bowl mix together the mustard, minced shallot, honey, and vinegar. Whisk to emulsify.

    Step 4- Serve

    Once the turnips are fork tender, for about 20 minutes remove them from the oven. Pour over the dressing and toss to coat. Do this in the roasting pan as the heat will help the turnips absorb all the flavor.

    Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a large serving platter and sprinkle with fresh rosemary, crumbled bacon, and goat cheese.

    🥗What to Serve with Roasted Turnips

    These turnips pair with everything from your Thanksgiving roasted turkey to a seared bavette steak. For a complimentary side try shaved brussels sprouts, slow-roasted tomatoes, or garlic green beans.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Use fresh herbs, not dried herbs, we don't want them to burn while roasting.
    • Do not use a lid or aluminum foil to cover the pan. The turnips should be roasted uncovered.
    • Most people prefer to peel the mature turnips. Technically it isn't required, just suggested because the outer layer can become fibrous.
    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a white serving dish with a blue towel.

    🔪Equipment

    I prefer using a cast-iron skillet, dutch oven, or a small roasting pan over a rimmed baking sheet for this recipe. That way you can make this a one-pot dish and you don't have any grease splatter in the oven.

    🌡️Storage

    Uncooked turnips can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Remove their greens and wash them before storing them in the crisper drawer.

    The removed turnip greens should be used immediately.

    Leftover roasted turnips should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 350 F degrees or in the microwave.

    More Root Vegetable Recipes

    • roasted potatoes with feta topping in serving bowl
      Greek Roasted Potatoes with Feta
    • Roasted watermelon radishes in white bowl.
      Roasted Watermelon Radishes
    • Celeriac puree in a brown bowl with a small bowl of green chives.
      Celeriac Puree
    • rutabaga slices in a baking dish with a spoon
      Parmesan Baked Rutabaga

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    What does a turnip taste like?

    The flavor of turnips is similar to a radish but less bitter. Baby turnips are sweeter while anything larger than medium turnips will have a stronger flavor.

    Do you have to peel turnips before cooking?

    Small turnips do not have to be peeled. If a turnip is larger than 3 inches, or is out of season, the outer layer should be removed with a vegetable peeler.

    How do you store raw turnips?

    Turnips can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Roasted turnips topped with bacon and cheese in a cast iron skillet.

    Roasted Turnips with Bacon and Goat Cheese

    This roasted turnip recipe is the perfect side dish for cooler weather. A hardy root vegetable roasted to perfection, served with fresh herbs, bacon and tangy goat cheese.
    Servings: 4
    Prep: 10 mins
    Cook: 30 mins
    Total: 40 mins
    5 from 6 votes
    PRINT PIN SAVE

    Equipment

    • Cast Iron Skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 ounces bacon cut into ¼-inch slices
    • 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon shallot minced
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1½ teaspoon honey or agave
    • 1 ½ pounds turnips either white or purple top, cut in half
    • 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled and at room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary finely chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 425 F degrees. Place the bacon in a cast iron skillet, or other heavy oven-proof skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the bacon renders its fat and is crispy. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain.
      3 ounces bacon
    • In the cast iron skillet pour off any excess bacon fat until you get about 2 tablespoons of fat. If you have less, add butter or olive oil. Over medium-high heat, add the turnips flat side down. and cook for 10 minutes. They should be golden brown on one side.
      1 ½ pounds turnips
    • Flip the turnips and transfer to the oven. Bake the turnips for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are tender.
    • While the turnips are roasting, whisk together the vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, and honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
      2 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoon shallot, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1½ teaspoon honey
    • Toss the turnips with the dressing and top with the bacon bits, goat cheese crumbles, and rosemary.
      2 ounces goat cheese, 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
    Rate this Recipe

    Video

    Notes

    • Smaller turnips, less than 3 inches long do not need to be peeled. Larger turnips should be peeled.
    • Turnips can be cut in half or quarters depending on their size. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 177kcal | Carbs: 12g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Fiber: 3g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword roasted turnip recipe, turnip recipes, turnips recipe
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • Coleslaw in a serving bowl.
      Old Fashioned Coleslaw with Vinegar
    • Roasted asparagus and carrots on a serving platter with fresh herbs.
      Roasted Carrots and Asparagus with Lemon Dressing
    • Green peppers and onions with rice, limes, and cilantro.
      Fajita Veggies (Better than Chipotle)
    • Broccolini in a cast iron pan with lemon slices and garlic.
      Sauteed Broccolini and Garlic
    79 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

    Subscribe

    Not To Miss Recipes!

    • roasted eggplant on baking sheet
      Easy Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices
    • parmsean roasted zuchhini and yellow squash on a plate.
      Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • christmas cookies decorated with royal icing
      Royal Icing with Meringue Powder
    • Roasted cornish hens on a plate with oranges and herbs.
      Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2023 Peel with Zeal