Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

Simple Roasted Rutabaga is an easy recipe that really lets the flavor of this root vegetable shine. It makes a great side dish to most any fish or meat dish.

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (1)

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The exterior of a rutabaga is surely not going to lure you in when you see it sitting on the shelf at the grocery store. But this vegetable is worth a try.

If you’re new to rutabagas, the biggest question is – what exactly do you do with it?

When trying any vegetable for the first time, you usually can’t go wrong with dicing it up, adding some olive oil, salt and pepper and roasting it in the oven.

Next to raw, what better way to know the actual taste of something?

What is a Rutabaga?

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2)

You might be wondering what exactly is a rutabaga?

Rutabagas are a cross between cabbage and turnips and come from the same family as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale.

While Americans call them rutabagas, they are called swedes in England, and turnips in Ireland.

We eat the root portion of this vegetable, similar to potatoes, carrots, and turnips.

While it’s not pretty on the outside, the inside is a much more attractive shade of yellowish orange.

The flavor of a rutabaga is less bitter than that of the turnips and cabbage. When cooked, the flavor has been described as similar to strongly flavored gold potatoes.

A half cup serving has just 25 calories, 4 carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. It’s also a good source of vitamin C.

Why This Recipe Works

  • This is a quick and easy recipe that you can serve alongside most any protein.
  • It’s a low calorie recipe that provides a good amount of fiber and vitamin C.
  • You can easily change up the same ole dinner routine by incorporating a side dish of rutabaga. Rutabaga is an often overlooked vegetable.

How to Make Roasted Rutabaga

Prep!

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (3)

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

Peel the skin off of the rutabaga with a very sharp vegetable peeler or paring knife.

Trim the top and bottom edges, then cut into 1/2 to 1-inch thick slices, and cube.

Create!

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (4)

In a medium size bowl, toss the cubed rutabaga with the olive oil.

Spread onto a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (5)

Roast for 30-40 minutes, tossing at least once during roasting, or until fork tender.

Present!

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (6)

You can enjoy roasted rutabaga, as is, or garnish with some fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.

Tips and Techniques for the Best Roasted Rutabaga

  • Buy rutabagas when ripe. They will usually have a slight purple coloring to them. Avoid rutabagas with any green shoots coming out of the top as these are likely over-ripe.
  • Store leftover cooked rutabaga in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 4-5 days.

FAQ’s

  • Do you peel rutabaga before eating it? Yes. You shouldn’t eat the skin of a rutabaga. Peel it carefully with a sharp vegetable peeler or paring knife.
  • What does rutabaga taste like? The flavor is rutabaga is often described as being similar to very flavorful golden potatoes with somewhat less bitter flavor than turnips.
  • Are rutabagas okay to eat on a keto diet? Rutabagas have 4 net carbs per 1/2 cup serving. They can be eaten on a low carb or keto diet, if they fit into your daily allowance.

More Side Dish Recipes to Try

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (7)

More easy-to-make side dishes that you might want to try include Honey Garlic Green Beans, Roasted Cabbage Wedges, and Roasted Radishes.

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Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (8)

Print

Roasted Rutabaga

Simple Roasted Rutabaga is an easy recipe that really lets the flavor of this root vegetable shine. It pairs well with just about any fish or meat.

Course Side Dishes

Cuisine Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 66kcal

Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F.

  • Peel the rutabaga and cut into 1/2 inch think slices, discarding the ends. Then cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

  • Add to a medium size bowl and toss with the olive oil.

  • Spread rutabaga onto a baking sheet and season with the salt and pepper.

  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing halfway through, or until fork tender.

Notes

Tips and Techniques for the Best Roasted Rutabaga

  • Buy rutabagas when ripe.They will usually have a slight purple coloring to them. Avoid rutabagas with any green shoots coming out of the top as these are likely over-ripe.
  • Store leftover cooked rutabaga in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Use within 4-5 days.

** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 24.1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.4mg

This recipe was originally published on December 7, 2015. It was updated with new images, more thorough instructions, tips, techniques, and FAQ’s in January 2020.

Simple Roasted Rutabaga Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

FAQs

How do you take the bitterness out of rutabagas? ›

How Do You Get the Bitter Taste Out of Rutabagas? If you find that rutabagas are too bitter for you, add up to a tablespoon of sugar to accentuate the sweetness and stir to combine. This will help to counteract the bitterness.

How to cut rutabaga for roasting? ›

With the skin removed, you can now chop your rutabaga. Whether you will be boiling, roasting, or baking this vegetable, you will most likely need it to be in cubes. Take out your sharp knife and cut each slice into 1 inch (2.54 cm) cubes. Repeat with the remaining slices.

What is the best way to eat rutabaga? ›

They can be eaten raw, but are usually roasted, cooked and mashed (sometimes with potatoes or other root vegetables), and used in casseroles, stews and soups. They are high in vitamin C, a good source of potassium and high in fiber.

What seasoning counteracts bitterness? ›

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours. It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Is rutabaga healthier than potatoes? ›

Whipped rutabagas are a fantastic substitute for mashed potatoes not only because they're half the carbs and calories and contain four times the amount of fiber, but also because they are just as creamy as a potato when beaten. This especially makes it a great option for people on low-carb or keto diets.

Can you overcook rutabaga? ›

If they're overcooked, they will disintegrate [source: Leslie Beck]. Here are some ways to prepare rutabaga. Baking Slice the rutabaga and place it in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle it with a few tablespoons of water and bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176.6 degrees Celsius) until tender.

What is the easiest way to get the wax off from a rutabaga? ›

Scrub the rutabaga under running water. Pat dry. towel, place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 1 minute on high. Use a peeler or paring knife to remove the skins and reveal the light-colored flesh.

Do rutabagas need to be peeled before cooking? ›

The wax and skin of rutabagas must be peeled before cooking. A sharp paring knife is better than a vegetable peeler.

Is rutabaga a laxative? ›

Similar to all its cruciferous cousins, rutabagas are naturally very high in fiber. Dietary fiber improves digestion by bulking up the stool and encouraging elimination, so rutabagas can provide natural constipation relief.

Is rutabaga inflammatory? ›

Rutabagas also contain high amounts of glucosinolates, which are compounds with antioxidant properties. They have been shown to reduce inflammation and potentially even your risk of heart disease and colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer ( 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11, 12).

What season for rutabaga? ›

When (and how) to buy perfect rutabagas. Rutabagas are mainly harvested from October to November, but since they are easily stored, you'll find them until March. Best check with your local farmer's markets or supermarkets with a large selection of local vegetables.

How do you make rutabagas not bitter? ›

Now, rutabaga can be a tad bitter, so the secret to a tasty mashed rutabaga is… Yep. Sugar. Add about a Tablespoon of sugar (or sucanat or honey or whatever sweetener you like) to the cooking water and it will be perfect every time.

Can you eat rutabaga raw? ›

Rutabaga flesh is quite hard, so cut it using a sharp knife. This vegetable can be eaten raw or cooked. Try rutabagas: Boiled and mashed with other root vegetables like potatoes or carrots.

Why is my rutabaga covered in wax? ›

Rutabagas last about a week when left out at room temperature while several weeks if refrigerated. Make sure to wash and peel off the skin before eating because most rutabagas are sold with a wax coating to stop them from drying out. They can be used for savory dishes like a roast or even a sweet pumpkin pie.

How do you neutralize bitterness? ›

The Fix: Balance bitter flavors by introducing something salty, sweet, or sour. For naturally bitter foods such as kale, you can soften the flavor by add a lemony vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and pomegranate seeds. You can also elevate kale by tossing it olive oil and salt, then roasting it in the oven until crispy.

How to get rid of bitter turnip taste? ›

Wash greens and roots well. Some suggest soaking the greens in a little salty water. One turnip website from the United Kingdom notes that if you boil them, add a little sugar to tame the scent and add baking soda to reduce bitterness.

How do you soften bitter taste? ›

Squeeze in some vinegar or lemon juice.

Try squeezing some fresh lemon juice or adding a spoonful of vinegar to bitter dishes to neutralize the flavor a bit.

How do you make cabbage less bitter? ›

Salt is your friend: Salt acts as a natural counter to bitter tastes. Adding a bit more salt or something salty like capers to bitter-tasting cabbage will dampen the bitter tastes and increase the sensation from the natural sugars.

References

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