Keto Turnip Recipes: Delicious and Healthy Alternatives to Potatoes

Are you on a keto diet and missing your favorite potato dishes? Look no further than the humble turnip! This versatile root vegetable is a fantastic low-carb substitute for potatoes, allowing you to enjoy creamy, comforting dishes without derailing your ketogenic lifestyle. This article explores a variety of keto-friendly turnip recipes, from au gratin to fries, providing you with delicious and healthy options for your next meal.

Why Turnips are Keto-Friendly

Turnips are an excellent choice for keto diets because they are significantly lower in carbohydrates than potatoes and other root vegetables. A medium-sized turnip (approximately 120 grams) contains about 8 grams of carbohydrates and 2.2 grams of fiber, resulting in a net carb count of just 5.8 grams. This makes them a great way to enjoy your favorite potato-based dishes while staying within your macro goals.

In addition to being low in carbs, turnips are also a good source of Vitamin C and fiber.

Keto Turnip Au Gratin: A Creamy and Cheesy Delight

If you're craving a classic comfort food dish, keto turnip au gratin is the perfect solution. This recipe transforms the humble turnip into a rich and creamy delight that rivals traditional potato au gratin.

What is Au Gratin?

Au gratin refers to dishes prepared with a topping of breadcrumbs and cheese, often with a creamy sauce. Au gratin-style root vegetables are made with a creamy cheese sauce, while scalloped are sliced thin and baked in thickened milk.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Tips for Making the Best Keto Turnip Au Gratin

• Choose Small Turnips: Opt for smaller turnips (no larger than 3 inches in diameter) as they tend to be less bitter and cook more evenly. Smaller white salad turnips work particularly well.
• Slice Turnips Thinly: Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to slice the turnips into thin, even slices (about 1/8 inch thick). This ensures that they cook through properly.
• Sauté the Turnips: Sautéing the turnip slices in butter before baking helps to reduce bitterness and create a more tender and flavorful dish.
• Use a Thickener: Adding a little glucomannan or xanthan gum to the cream sauce helps to prevent the au gratin from becoming watery during cooking.

Recipe for Keto Turnip Au Gratin

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds turnips, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon glucomannan (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere, Swiss, or cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
2. Using a mandolin slicer, slice the turnips about 1/8 inch thick.
3. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add half of the turnip slices and toss to coat in the butter. Cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently and making sure to separate the individual slices.
4. Arrange the turnips in an 8 or 9 inch ceramic baking dish in an overlapping pattern and season with salt and pepper.
5. Repeat with the remaining butter and remaining turnip slices.
6. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté in the butter until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until it simmers, then stir in the Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper and then whisk in glucomannan.
7. Pour the cream mixture over the turnips and cover the whole baking dish with foil. Bake 35 minutes.
8. Remove the foil, sprinkle with cheese, and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the turnips are tender.
9. Turn on the broiler and broil 1 to 3 minutes to brown up the top, if desired.

Storing and Reheating Turnip Au Gratin

Store leftover turnip au gratin tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. You can also freeze turnip au gratin for several months. Thaw completely before reheating.

Other Delicious Keto Turnip Recipes

While au gratin is a fantastic option, there are many other ways to enjoy turnips on a keto diet. Here are a few more ideas:

Mashed Turnips: A Smooth and Creamy Side Dish

Mashed turnips are a great low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes. They can be customized with your favorite flavors and spices, making them a versatile addition to any meal.

Tips for Making the Best Mashed Turnips

• Cut Turnips into Even Pieces: Cut the turnips into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
• Cook Until Very Tender: Boil the turnips until they are very soft for easy mashing.
• Drain Thoroughly: Drain the cooked turnips thoroughly to avoid a watery mash. Press out any excess moisture with your hands.
• Add Flavor: Experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your favorite shredded cheese. A little coconut milk can also be added to sweeten them up.

Recipe for Keto Mashed Turnips

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds turnips, peeled and cubed
• Water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: additional butter, chives, coconut milk, shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika

Instructions:

1. Place turnips in a large stockpot with enough water to completely cover turnips.
2. Over high heat, bring water to a boil. Boil until fork tender, 30-40 minutes.
3. Drain turnips well.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add turnips, salt, pepper, butter, and sour cream. Using a potato masher or electric mixer, mash or beat mixture until smooth and combined. Beat in 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream, if needed, to reach desired consistency.
5. Serve immediately.

Freezing Mashed Turnips

You can freeze mashed turnips, but they may become more watery after thawing.

Roasted Turnips: Simple and Flavorful

Roasted turnips are a simple and delicious way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and creates a slightly crispy texture.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Tips for Making the Best Roasted Turnips

• Choose Smaller Turnips: Smaller turnips are less bitter and have a milder flavor.
• Cut into Uniform Pieces: Cut the turnips into 1-inch cubes for even roasting.
• Season Generously: Toss the turnips with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs. Fresh rosemary is a great option.
• Roast at High Heat: Roast the turnips at 400°F (200°C) until they are tender and slightly browned.

Recipe for Keto Roasted Turnips

Ingredients:

• 1 pound turnips, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees or the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Peel and dice the turnips and place them in a medium mixing bowl.
3. Add the avocado oil, paprika, sea salt, and pepper to the bowl and toss to coat.
4. Spread the turnips in an even layer in the air fryer basket or on a large baking sheet.
5. Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking the basket once halfway through cooking.

Turnip Fries: A Crispy and Satisfying Snack

Turnip fries are a great low-carb alternative to potato fries. They can be seasoned with your favorite spices and baked or air-fried until crispy.

Tips for Making the Best Turnip Fries

• Cut into Matchsticks: Cut the turnips into long, thin strips resembling fries.
• Use a High Smoke Point Oil: Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or coconut oil, for frying.
• Preheat the Baking Pan: Preheat the baking pan with oil in the oven before adding the turnip fries to ensure they get crispy.
• Season Generously: Toss the turnip fries with oil, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Recipe for Keto Turnip Fries

Ingredients:

• 1 pound turnips, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 2 tablespoons oil (avocado or coconut)
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425F.
2. Add 2 tbs of the oil, onion powder and paprika to a bag or bowl, then add the turnip.
3. Pour some oil into a baking pan - you'll need to use one with a high smoke point, as you need it to get pretty hot to crisp up the turnip.
4. Place the pan in a preheated oven. Remove it after 5 minutes and carefully add the turnip - the oil might splash.
5. Sprinkle over some fresh herbs like thyme or parsley to serve.

Keto Turnip Potato Salad

This creamy and delicious low carb side dish has only 5.8 grams net carbs. It’s a great low carb alternative to classic potato salad as it has all the flavor but it uses turnips as a substitute for potatoes.

Tips for Making the Best Keto Turnip Potato Salad

• Choose Smaller, Younger Turnips: Go for the smaller, younger turnips as they will be milder and sweeter. Older bigger turnips sometimes have a bitter taste.
• Cook Turnips Until Fork Tender: Cook for 5-6 minutes until fork tender.
• Cool Completely Before Making the Salad: Let cool completely before making the salad.

Recipe for Keto Turnip Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound turnips, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1-2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar or white vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon sweetener (or white sugar if not concerned about carbs)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (or vidalia, green, or white onion)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, diced (plus extra for garnish)
• Optional: paprika, fresh chives, dill pickles, olives, pickled jalapeno peppers, dry mustard, yellow mustard

Instructions:

1. Peel and chop the turnips into bite-sized pieces. Add to a microwave-safe bowl with a bit of water (1-2 tablespoons). Cover with plastic wrap or try this vegetable steamer. Cook for 5-6 minutes until fork tender.
2. While that is cooking and cooling, get out a small bowl and add the mayonnaise, vinegar, sweetener, salt, and black pepper.
3. Next, dice the celery and onions and add to a large mixing bowl. You can also dice the hard-boiled egg and place that in the bowl as well.
4. Once the turnips have cooled, add them to the chopped vegetables along with the dressing. Mix to combine.
5. Refrigerate for a few hours for the flavors to meld. When ready to eat, sprinkle some paprika on top for color if you wish and add a few wedges or slices of hard-boiled egg. That is optional though. And that is all there is to it! Today I add some fresh chives as a garnish because I had a lot in my garden but that was mostly for color. As I mentioned above you can use other herbs to garnish like fresh dill, parsley, etc.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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