If you are looking for a new favorite rutabaga recipe, then you are in the right place! Or favorite rutabaga recipes range the gambit from raw to mashed. And everything in between.
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Rutabagas are becoming more popular in the U.S, they add a light sweetness (and fewer carbs) to our favorite comfort food dishes.
Rutabagas are an ideal ingredient to experiment with if you are looking to explore beyond standard root vegetables like potatoes and carrots.
🥗 Best Rutabaga Recipes
This is the best collection of rutabaga recipes, it includes all our favorite ways to cook and eat rutabaga. These recipes are full of flavor and as always, naturally gluten-free. And many are dairy-free and vegan so be sure to check them out.
Let's get started!
Baked Rutabaga Recipes
The first two recipes have been featured in our annual Thanksgiving menu round-up and our annual Christmas dinner menu. They are definitely my favorites!
Mashed Rutabaga Recipes
Rutabaga Soup Recipes
Rutabaga makes a lovely base for soup. Once cooked and pureed they have a silky texture creating the perfect backdrop for fresh herbs and other seasonings.
It is also a great addition to hearty stews and even diced-up chicken pot pies!
Unique Rutabaga Recipes
🧾About Rutabagas
Rutabagas are a cross between wild cabbage and turnips. This is also why they are often confused with turnips. However, rutabagas are larger and sweeter in flavor. Whereas a turnip tastes more like a radish.
Rutabagas are also called Swedish turnips and swedes. They range in size from a couple of inches to larger than six inches.
Rutabagas are purple on top towards the stem and fade to yellowish-cream color at the bottom. The larger the rutabaga, the sweeter the flavor.
When eaten raw, rutabagas are similar to jicama. But most often rutabagas are cooked.
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Rutabaga Nutrition
Rutabagas have become popular for their similarity to potatoes while being lower in net carbs. But beyond that rutabagas are very high in Vitamin C and contain a good amount of potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Cooking with Rutabagas
Look for rutabagas with smooth skin and without bruises or cuts. They should feel heavy for their size. Fruits in the 3 inch to 5-inch range will have the best balance of texture and sweetness.
Rutabagas can be eaten cooked or raw. I recommended always peeling your rutabagas because they are typically coated in wax to extend shelf life.
The best ways to rutabagas are:
- Raw in salads or slaws
- Roasted, alone or with different root vegetables
- Mashed
- Baked or gratin style
- Pureed in soups
- Cubed and cooked in stews or soups
- Fries
🥘 Expert Tip
Outside of a Farmer's Market, rutabagas are rarely found in the U.S. with their leaves still intact If you are lucky enough to score one you can saute up the greens which makes a nice accompaniment to mashed rutabagas. We recommend blanching before sauteing the greens.
🌡️Storage
Most rutabaga recipes will last for 3 to 4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. Please see the individual recipes for instructions.
Raw rutabagas will keep at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you have a root cellar, you can store your waxed rutabagas for several months.
What to Serve with Rutabagas
Rutabagas can be paired with beef, chicken, or seafood main courses. They are lovely mashed with our slow cooker shredded beef and they make the perfect backdrop for a roasted turkey breast and turkey gravy (made without flour!).
As for complimentary side dishes, I like to pair heavy root vegetables with lighter greens like our garlic green beans, curried green beans, simple sauteed greens, or a raw brussel sprout salad.
💬Frequently Asked Questions
Are rutabaga leaves edible?
Yes, rutabaga leaves are edible. It is recommended to pick younger leaves and blanch them before cooking. Rutabaga leaves are known for their bitter mustard-like flavor and blanching them will make them sweeter while maintaining a vibrant color.
Can you eat rutabaga raw?
Yes, rutabaga can be eaten raw. Because rutabagas purchased from a grocery store are coated with a heavy wax to prolong their shelf life it is recommended that they be peeled first. Raw rutabaga should be shredded to finely diced.
How do you peel rutabaga?
There are two ways to peel rutabaga. The first is to trim each end and cut it in half. Put the halves flat on a cutting board, then slice them into half moons. Then, you can use a paring knife to remove the skin and wax.
The most common way to peel rutabaga is to use a potato peeler or vegetable peeler and then trim the ends.
What is the best rutabaga substitute?
There are several good substitutes for rutabaga. When eating raw in a salad, jicama is the best substitute. For mashed, roasted, or pureed recipes either turnips or potatoes can be substituted. I recommend a 50/50 mix.
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