Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (2024)

This Roasted Rutabaga Recipe is an easy low-carb side dish that tastes like real potatoes minus the carbs.

These crispy rutabaga cubes are also gluten-free and vegan.

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (1)

Table of contents

Rutabaga is an amazing low-carb vegetable perfect for making keto fries or low-carb potato-like cubes in the oven or air fryer.

Unfortunately, rutabaga, or the similar turnip, are forgotten vegetables, and there are not many rutabaga recipes.

However, it’s a vegetable that you can cook as potatoes to make any delicious side dish to Broiled Pork Chops.

Today, I am going to show you how to make roasted rutabaga cubes that are actually crispy and good.

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (2)

How To Make Oven-Roasted Rutabaga

If you’ve never cooked a rutabaga before, roasting rutabagas is as easy as roasted potatoes.

Ingredients

All you need to roast rutabaga are:

  • Fresh Rutabaga – The vegetables should be firm, not soft, with vibrant purple colors at their feet.
  • Avocado Oil or olive oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dried Oregano
  • Onion Powder

You don’t have to use all the spices listed above, but rutabaga tends to be a little sweet, and spices enhance the savory flavor of the dish.

Cutting Rutabaga

There are a few ways to cut rutabaga, depending on which recipe you are making.

For rutabaga fries, cut them into large rectangles or cut the rutabaga in cubes to roast, air fry, or boil them.

First, cut off the top hard part of the vegetable with a long sharp knife.

Then, use a vegetable peeler to peel off the skin of the vegetable.

Finally, place the rutabaga on its flat side and cut it into 3 thick slices. Feel free to cut into more slices if you are using large rutabagas.

Place each layer flat on a cutting board and slice them into 0.7-inch cubes (1.5 cm).

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (3)

Roasting

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add the rutabaga cubes and drizzle oil and spices on top. Then, use a spatula or your hands to toss the rutabagas cubes and cover them evenly with oil and spices.

Spread the cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the center rack of the oven for 30 minutes, shaking the cubes halfway through to evenly roast all sides.

Stop baking when they are golden brown, crispy on the edges, and fork-tender.

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (4)

Serving Roasted Rutabaga

It’s best to serve rutabaga straight out of the oven, or they soften quickly. Adjust them with salt and pepper and serve them with chopped parsley or herbs you love.

Serve as a side dish to meat, fish, or some of the following dish suggestions.

  • Cast-Iron Chicken Breast – or any of my Keto Chicken Recipes.
  • Creamy Spinach Chicken
  • Broiled Pork Chops
  • Tuscan Chicken
  • Almond Flour Chicken Tenders
  • Lemon Pepper Chicken
  • Keto Chicken Nuggets
  • Baked Pork Chops

How To Cook Rutabaga

There are many ways you can cook rutabagas. You can:

  • Bake rutabaga like in this recipe
  • Air fry rutabaga
  • Boil rutabaga to make rutabaga mash

For the oven method, people make three common mistakes when they roast rutabaga and end up with soft mushy vegetables.

So let me share three tips to make rutabaga crispy and delicious every time.

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Rule 1: Roast At 425°F (220°C)

The most common mistake people make when roasting rutabaga is to set the oven to less than 425°F (220°C).

As a result, the vegetables get mushy andstay soft.

Rule 2: Cut In Large Cubes

Rutabaga must be cut in larger cubes than potatoes or they won’t crisp very well.

I recommend 0.7-inch cubes.

Rule 3: Use High-Smoke Point Oil

High smoke point oils resist to high temperature better. They won’t smoke in the oven and will create the best golden roasted color to vegetable.

The best high-smoke point oil option is avocado oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are my answers to your most frequent questions about rutabaga.

How Do Rutabaga Taste?

Rutabaga has a similar texture to potatoes, but it’s less starchy, with sweet notes like carrots.

What Does A Rutabaga Look Like?

A rutabaga is a round tough root vegetable with a size between an orange and a pomelo.
It has a brownish gradient color that turns light purple on the top.

Can I Swap Rutabaga For Turnip?

Yes, both vegetables are low-carb and cook in a similar way.
In terms of taste, the turnip is less sweet. It tastes more like cabbage or radish.

What’s The Difference Between Rutabagas And Turnips?

Rutabaga, also called swede in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom, is very similar to turnips.
Both root vegetables are easily interchangeable in recipes.
But turnips are generally white with a purple color on top, while rutabagas are yellowish with a brown-purple top.
In terms of flavors, rutabaga is sweeter and closer to carrots, while turnips taste more like radish.

Can I Air Fry Rutabaga?

Yes, you can use this recipe to air fry rutabaga cubes.
Reduce the oil to two tablespoons and air fry for 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F (180°C).

More Vegetable Side Dish Recipes

Here are some healthy vegetable side dish recipes, including more roasted vegetables for you to try.

Keto Roasted Cauliflower

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Sauteed Eggplant

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Asian Brussel Sprouts

Air Fryer Green Beans

Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

Steamed Cauliflower

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts

Broccoli Gratin

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Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (18)

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe

7.5gNet Carbs

This Roasted Rutabaga Recipe is an easy low-carb side dish that tastes like real potatoes minus the carbs. Plus, these crispy rutabaga cubes are also gluten-free and vegan.

Author: Carine Claudepierre

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Yield: 6 people (4 ounces,120g)

Serving Size: 1 serving (4 ounces,120g)

5 from 151 votes

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 1.5 pounds Rutabaga peeled, cubed into 0.7 inches/1.5cm cubes
  • 2 ½ tablespoons Avocado Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano

This recipe may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • Peel and cut rutabaga into 0.7-inch cubes. Watch the step-by-step pictures above in this post for visual help.

  • Place the cubes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle some oil and spices on top. Use a spatula or your hands to toss the cubes with the oil and spices until evenly covered with the mixture.

  • Spread the rutabaga cubes in a single layer on the tray.

  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, shaking halfway until golden, roasted on the sides, and fork-tender in the center. If the center is soft, it's cooked through. Remove from the oven and serve hot immediately.

  • Serve as a side dish with extra salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley as a side to my cast iron chicken breast, or chicken marinade.

Tools

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Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetashoneyrecipes

Serving Size: 1 serving (4 ounces,120g)

Yield: 6 people (4 ounces,120g)

Serving: 1serving (4 ounces,120g)Calories: 95.5kcal (5%)Carbohydrates: 10.3g (3%)Fiber: 2.8g (12%)Net Carbs: 7.5gProtein: 1.3g (3%)Fat: 6g (9%)Saturated Fat: 0.7g (4%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 4.1gSodium: 401.5mg (17%)Potassium: 353.9mg (10%)Sugar: 5.1g (6%)Vitamin A: 7.9IUVitamin C: 28.4mg (34%)Calcium: 54.8mg (5%)Iron: 0.6mg (3%)Magnesium: 23.9mg (6%)Zinc: 0.3mg (2%)

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (22)

About The Author

Carine Claudepierre

Hi, I'm Carine, the food blogger, author, recipe developer, published author of a cookbook and many ebooks, and founder of Sweet As Honey.

I have an Accredited Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness obtained in 2014 from Well College Global (formerly Cadence Health). I'm passionate about sharing all my easy and tasty recipes that are both delicious and healthy. My expertise in the field comes from my background in chemistry and years of following a keto low-carb diet. But I'm also well versed in vegetarian and vegan cooking since my husband is vegan.

I now eat a more balanced diet where I alternate between keto and a Mediterranean Diet

Cooking and Baking is my true passion. In fact, I only share a small portion of my recipes on Sweet As Honey. Most of them are eaten by my husband and my two kids before I have time to take any pictures!

All my recipes are at least triple tested to make sure they work and I take pride in keeping them as accurate as possible.

Browse all my recipes with my Recipe Index.

I hope that you too find the recipes you love on Sweet As Honey!

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (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.

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.

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.

What is the best way to counteract bitter taste? ›

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.

How do you make roasted turnips less bitter? ›

Adding a little sugar to your turnips after cooking can also help to counteract any 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.

Are rutabagas anti inflammatory? ›

Rutabagas are a hearty vegetable packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They promote feelings of fullness, which can prevent weight gain. Furthermore, they contain powerful compounds that help fight inflammation, prevent premature aging, and are associated with a reduced risk of various cancers.

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.

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 good for your gut? ›

They're an ideal source of roughage in your diet. Eating rutabagas can regulate your bowel movements and help you maintain a healthy gut. Including high-fiber foods in your diet can also help prevent colorectal cancer.

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.

Do rutabagas need to be refrigerated? ›

Storage and food safety

Rutabagas will keep for months in a cool storage place. They store well in plastic bags in a refrigerator or cold cellar. Keep rutabagas away from raw meat and meat juices to prevent cross contamination. Before peeling, wash rutabagas using cool or slightly warm water and a vegetable brush.

How to get wax off rutabaga? ›

Scrub the rutabaga under running water. Pat dry. towel, place on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 1 minute on high.

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.

Does baking soda remove bitterness from turnips? ›

The humble vegetable is worthy of a second look. 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 make bitter vegetables less bitter? ›

Blanch Them

Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

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