Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Roasted Rutabaga Recipe
  • What Is A Rutabaga?
  • Ingredients For Roasted Rutabagas
  • How To Roast Rutabaga
  • Seasoning Variations
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Rutabaga Recipes
  • More Easy Roasted Vegetable Recipes
  • Tools For Roasting Rutabaga
  • Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!)

This roasted rutabaga recipe makes a hearty and healthy side dish to just about any meal. If you’re looking to swap out potatoes or even sweet potatoes for a healthier option that’s lower in carbohydrates and calories, root vegetables like rutabaga are a great choice. Make rutabaga recipes by using this veggie in soups, stews, or even warm over salads, or serve it all on its own with mains like keto salmon, maple glazed keto pork chops, or juicy baked chicken breasts.

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Rutabaga Recipe

  • Tender, starchy texture similar to potatoes
  • Just 10 minutes to prep
  • Only 3 ingredients
  • Naturally low carb, gluten-free, and keto friendly
  • Healthy vegetable side dish
Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

What Is A Rutabaga?

A rutabaga, also known as a Swedish turnip or swede, is a nutritious root vegetable that is a cross between a turnip and a wild cabbage. It’s a great source of fiber and vitamin C.

What Do Rutabagas Taste Like?

When cooked, rutabagas have a mild, sweet flavor and a texture very similar to potatoes. Because they are much lower in carbs than roasted potatoes, they make a great low carb potato substitute. You can cook them using this roasted rutabaga recipe, or try making keto French fries with them!

Ingredients For Roasted Rutabagas

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for oven roasted rutabaga, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Rutabagas – Look for fresh rutabagas that feel heavy and smooth. Smaller rutabagas will be sweeter than larger ones. I prefer to peel the skin (instructions below), but if you want to leave it on, you’ll need to dip the rutabagas briefly in boiling water to remove the wax coating.
  • Olive Oil – A must for roasting! You can also sub avocado oil.
  • SpicesGarlic powder, sea salt & black pepper.

See below for more seasoning ideas!

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

How To Roast Rutabaga

This section shows how to roast rutabaga with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Dice.

Peeling the tough, waxy skin of rutabagas and chopping them can seem intimidating, but it’s easy with the right technique:

  • Cut off the ends.
  • Cut the rutabaga in half.
  • Slice into 3/4-inch-thick slices, which will be in the shape of semi-circles.
  • Peel the skin off each slice using a paring knife (this works better than a peeler in this case).
  • Cut each slice into strips.
  • Lay the strips in the opposite direction and cut again to form cubes.

Season.

In a large bowl, toss cubed rutabaga with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Feel free to add other seasonings here — see below for ideas.

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (4)
Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (5)

Roast Rutabagas.

Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are spread out in a single layer and each rutabaga cube is touching the pan. Bake until fork tender and golden.

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (7)

Seasoning Variations

Roasted rutabagas benefit from the same seasonings that potatoes do! I kept the recipe basic with just garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but here are some other additions to try:

  • Fresh or dried herbs – Such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, or basil. For 1 pound of rutabaga, use 1-2 tablespoons fresh herbs, or 1-2 teaspoons dried.
  • Steak Seasoning – Use 1-2 teaspoons for roasting rutabagas, and also reduce the salt in the recipe by half. This seasoning is also obviously great for top sirloin steak.
  • Italian seasoning – Use 1-2 teaspoons.
  • Paprika – Add 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Cayenne Pepper – Great for adding some heat. The amount depends on your preference, but 1/4 teaspoon is a good starting point.

You can also toss the rutabagas with other hearty vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, onions, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or even apples and pears. (However, note that most of these will not be low carb.)

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftover roasted rutabaga in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also peel and cut the rutabaga ahead of time, and keep in the fridge for 1-2 days. Swedes that haven’t been cut can last 1-4 months in a cool cellar, pantry, or preferably, in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Reheat in a 350 degree F oven for best results, or microwave if you are in a pinch. Or simply toss them in while you make a sausage and kale soup for a hearty addition.
  • Freeze: Cooked rutabagas can be frozen for 2-3 months. Store them in a zip lock bag or airtight container in the freezer.
Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

What To Serve With Rutabaga Recipes

All this baked rutabaga needs is a main dish. Try one of these healthy dinners:

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Oven Roasted London Broil

Tilapia In The Oven

Crab Stuffed Salmon

Air Fryer Pork Chops

More Easy Roasted Vegetable Recipes

Roasting vegetables is always easy and tasty, and if you love those two things as much as I do, be sure to try these next…

Roasted Broccoli And Cauliflower

Garlic Green Beans

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Broccolini

Roasted Romanesco

Roasted Cauliflower

  • Sheet Pan– These are my favorite sheet pans (I have every size!). Easy to clean and made in the USA.
  • Glass Storage Containers– Store leftover rutabagas in these glass storage containers that can go right from refrigerator to microwave.

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Recipe Card

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!) - Wholesome Yum (22)

4.93 from 38 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Roasted Rutabaga Recipe (Just Like Potatoes!)

This easy, healthy roasted rutabaga recipe is a lower carb side dish similar to potatoes. Just 3 ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes!

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

Total: 35 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Recipe Video

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss the rutabaga cubes with the olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

  3. Spread evenly on the baking sheet making sure each piece touches the pan.

  4. Roast in the oven for about 25 minutes, until the rutabaga pieces are golden brown and tender.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts

  • Oven Roasted Vegetables

  • Roasted Garlic Recipe

  • Roasted Broccoli And Cauliflower

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 3/4 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories106

Fat7.2g

Protein1.4g

Total Carbs10.5g

Net Carbs7.8g

Fiber2.7g

Sugar5.1g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Keywords:Roasted rutabaga, roasted rutabaga recipe

Calories: 106 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Easy Roasted Rutabaga Recipe

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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.

Is rutabaga healthier than potatoes? ›

Potato has MORE THAN TWICE the carbs and calories of rutabaga!! So next time you want some comfort food, peel, chop up and boil that bad boy. Drain and mash it up with a fork/masher with some cream, cheese and butter and dig in!

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.

How do you cut a rutabaga for roasting? ›

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.

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.

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.

Who should not eat rutabaga? ›

Individuals with known sensitivities to cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage or broccoli should exercise caution when consuming rutabagas. It is crucial for individuals experiencing allergic symptoms after consuming rutabaga to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and management.

What country eats the most rutabaga? ›

Rutabagas are more popular in regions like Scandinavia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom because they grow better in colder climates. The name “rutabaga” comes from the Swedish word rotabagge, which means “baggy root.” Rutabagas are also commonly referred to as Swedes, Neeps, or Swedish Turnips.

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.

Can I eat rutabaga every day? ›

Rutabagas Are Healthy, But You May Want to Eat In Moderation (Along With Other Root Veggies) Knowing how to eat is just as (if not more) important as knowing what to eat. It's common knowledge that whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are far more healthier than nutrient-void, processed foods.

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 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.

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.

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.

Why is my rutabaga covered in wax? ›

As one of the highest moisture root crops rutabagas are generally coated with a protective food-grade paraffin wax to prevent deterioration. After that, they are almost indestructible. In a root cellar or buried in sand, rutabagas can last a long time.

How do you neutralize bitter taste? ›

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? ›

Chop and soak: Soaking chopped cabbage in cold water for about 15 minutes will leach out most of the bitter and harsh flavor compounds, while also making the cabbage crisper. This is especially vital for leaf cabbage, but also works with firmer head cabbage varieties.

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