Mashed Turnips and Rutabagas

These mashed turnips and rutabagas are incredibly creamy and delicious! They’re the perfect low carb side for holidays and everyday meals!

When you want an incredibly tasty side, these mashed turnips and rutabagas are an awesome choice. They’re a great change up from mashed cauliflower and have amazing flavor. This mash is quick and easy enough to serve for weekday dinners, yet it’s elegant enough to serve for holidays and special occasion meals!

Let’s talk about turnips and rutabagas!

Turnips and rutabagas are both root vegetables. But don’t worry, when eaten in moderation, they’re both great keto options! And sometimes you just need a great mash as a comfort food side dish! Turnips are lower in their carb count than rutabagas, so I use more of them in this mash. The flavor of these vegetables combines so well in this dish. Turnips have a mild earthy and peppery flavor and are sometimes a touch on the bitter side. Smaller turnips do tend to be less bitter though and they lose some of their bitterness when cooked. Rutabagas actually originated as a cross between a turnip and a cabbage. They also bring an earthy and peppery flavor but add a nice hint of sweetness to this mash! Both of these root vegetables tend to be harder than potatoes, so be careful when you go to chop them!😉

How do I prepare these mashed turnips and rutabagas?

This is an easy dish to prepare, but there are a few things you’ll want to know so yours will turn out perfectly. You’ll want to peel and chop your vegetables, then boil them until they’re fork tender. Mine usually take between 35-45 minutes, but you can start checking yours sooner as well. One of the main things you’ll want to know is that both these vegetables tend to hold on to some water, so you’ll want to drain them well. I sometimes also use a paper towel to press out even more water. I like to use an immersion blender to blend my mash; but alternately you can use a potato masher. If your mash is at all watery, you can simply heat it on medium heat for a few minutes to remove the excess water which will help thicken your mash as well.

How can I serve these mashed turnips and rutabagas?

These mashed turnips and rutabagas are a great keto side for any number of main dishes! They pair well with any kind of meat including beef, chicken, pork, seafood, and turkey. They’re an awesome choice for a holiday side to serve with your prized ham or turkey! But they also complement roasts and seafood dishes nicely. You can also serve this mash with everyday meals such as meatloaf, meatballs, or any grilled meats. It can be served with dishes such as pulled pork, burgers, brats, or sausage and peppers. It can be also served with any kind of chicken or as a side to your favorite keto casseroles. You can top your mash with some butter or chopped chives, or you can serve it with some keto brown gravy or chicken gravy!

Need some keto chicken dishes to pair with this mash? Here are a few of our favorites!

Instant Pot Keto Hungarian Chicken

Chicken Thighs with Keto Tarragon Cream Sauce

Lemon Herb Baked Chicken Leg Quarters

Oven Baked Split Chicken Breasts

Helpful Hints:

*After cooking them, you’ll want to drain your turnips and rutabaga well.

*You can give your mash a taste and add more salt and pepper if you’d like.

Main Kitchen Equipment and Utensils:

• Large stockpot
• Measuring spoons
• Immersion blender or potato masher

Splash of Encouragement:

***Have fun trying substitutions to make low carb versions of your favorite dishes***