16 Delicious Rutabaga Recipes

Rutabagas are a particularly overlooked root vegetable. In fact, many people don’t know how to cook with them at all, often opting to use the popular potato instead.

However, the humble rutabaga is definitely worth incorporating into your diet. 

16 Delicious Rutabaga Recipes

Rutabagas are packed with nutrients and compounds with antioxidant properties, and they have fewer calories and carbohydrates than potatoes. They are also incredibly versatile, easy to cook with, and very delicious! 

Interested? Check out our 16 favorite rutabaga recipes below.

Each one is simple, super tasty, and bursting with health benefits! From chips to stews to steaks and everything in between, this awesome vegetable really can do it all. 

1. Greek Style Oven Roasted Rutabaga

If you’re looking for a tasty, filling, and healthy side dish, look no further than this Greek-style oven-roasted rutabaga recipe.

It produces rutabaga that is crispy, creamy, and incredibly moreish. It is certain to make you forget all about regular, boring white potatoes! 

There are quite a few different seasonings necessary for this recipe. However, it is likely that you already have many of them in your pantry. If you’re a fan of spicy food, we recommend increasing the amount of chili pepper flakes. 

2. Mashed Rutabaga With Sour Cream And Dill 

Ok, so mashed potatoes are delicious. But, sometimes, they can get a bit boring. If you want to switch up this classic side dish, we highly recommend checking out this mashed rutabaga with sour cream and dill recipe (see also ‘26 Easy and Tasty Dill Recipes‘). 

It is creamy, filling, healthy, and economical – what more could you ask for?

When it comes to mashed rutabaga, it is very important that you purchase the rutabagas when they’re in season. We also recommend using high-quality salted butter.

3. Skillet Shepherd’s Pie With Rutabaga Mash 

Shepherd’s pie is the perfect winter dish. It is oh-so hearty, full of varied and delicious ingredients, and it can be made in huge batches!

This rutabaga shepherd’s pie recipe puts a nutritious and tasty spin on a classic. 

Don’t let the cooking time or long ingredients list put you off. We promise you – the extra time and effort are definitely worth it. In fact, if you make a large enough batch, you can enjoy the leftovers for days! 

4. Honey And Thyme Roasted Rutabaga 

This recipe is a staple in our household. It is super simple, incredibly versatile, and really delicious! The combination of honey, time, and rutabaga is mouth-wateringly good.

In fact, it works perfectly as a side dish to pretty much any main meal!

This recipe also provides a great opportunity to use up any root veggies you have lying around. In addition to the rutabaga, you can include potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and turnips in this recipe (see also ‘25 Most Delicious Turnip Recipes You Need To Try‘). 

5. Rutabaga Soup With Smoked Cheddar

There is nothing better than an indulgent, heart-warming soup in the winter months.

If you’re looking for a new soup to include in your weekly rotation, this rutabaga soup with smoked cheddar recipe is perfect. 

This soup is delightfully comforting. The recipe calls for the use of dark beer. This isn’t completely necessary, however, it does help the cheese melt perfectly, and betters the overall texture of the soup. 

6. Rutabaga Fries

Classic potato fries are great. But, they can feel quite heavy and unhealthy.

If you’re craving some comfort food but want something a little healthier and lighter, these rutabaga fries are definitely worth a try. 

They have fewer carbs and calories than potatoes, and they are keto friendly! As such, these fries make a great side dish or snack if you’re following a carb-restricting diet. As a bonus, you need just 5 ingredients for this recipe!

7. Crisp Rutabaga Rosti With Garlicky Balsamic Spinach 

If you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying breakfast or lunch, look no further than this crisp rutabaga rosti with garlicky balsamic spinach recipe. It is light but absolutely bursting with flavor. Even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy this dish!

As a bonus, this recipe is also gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan! As such, it’s a great option for when you need to cater to people with dietary requirements.

However, if you don’t need it to be 100% plant-based, we recommend incorporating some cheddar cheese or butter. 

8. Rutabaga Puree

If you want a side dish that is super creamy, fluffy, and flavorful, this rutabaga puree recipe is a great option.

In fact, if you’ve struggled with the sharpness of rutabaga before, this recipe will surprise you. 

Thanks to the addition of mascarpone, the flavor of the rutabaga is much more mellow than usual. We love serving this dish with a fresh, crusty piece of sourdough bread for an easy appetizer or snack. 

9. Bangers And Mashed Rutabaga With Onion Gravy

Bangers and mash is a classic British combination. And, whilst the purists amongst you may argue that it is blasphemous to alter the traditional ingredients, we think that this recipe puts a fun, healthy, and innovative spin on a delicious dish. 

The key to the delicious mashed rutabaga is using high-quality ghee and a good sprinkling of garlic powder. Whilst this recipe does suggest that you make your own onion gravy, if you’re strapped for time, you can use shop-bought versions instead. 

10. Rutabaga Breakfast Hash

We love brunch. Who doesn’t? But, we have to say, classic brunch dishes can often feel heavy, unhealthy, and sometimes, a bit boring.

If you want to put a healthy and fun spin on a classic breakfast dish, you have to try this rutabaga breakfast hash recipe. 

The combination of ground pork sausage, crispy and creamy rutabaga, perfectly cooked eggs, and a huge amount of fresh veggies and seasonings makes for a delicious and colorful brunch dish. This is a great one to whip up for guests!

11. Sausage And Brussel Sprout Rutabaga Rice 

Sprouts are a controversial ingredient.

However, if you are one of the many people who wish that it was acceptable to eat sprouts more than once or twice a year, then you will absolutely love this sausage and brussel sprout rutabaga rice recipe. 

This makes for a great lunch or simple weeknight dinner. It takes just 30 minutes in total to make, and it’s likely that you already have many of the necessary ingredients in your pantry. Be sure to garnish with fresh parsley for a nice added freshness. 

12. Classic Beef Stew With Root Vegetables

Picture this: it’s a cold, dark winter night and you’re tired after a long day at work, so you decide to curl up on the sofa under a blanket and enjoy a comforting stew in front of the TV. Sounds great, right? 

Well, this stew is perfect for such occasions. It is hearty, filling, nutritious, and bursting with flavor. We love enjoying this stew with a warm piece of crusty bread with salted butter, but it works wonderfully with pretty much anything! 

13. Cheesy Rutabaga And Carrot Casserole 

Casseroles make us feel nostalgic.

They remind us of evening dinners shared with the family. If you feel the same, we highly recommend that you give this cheesy rutabaga and carrot casserole a try. 

In fact, this is a great dish to whip up when you are expecting family members to pop around. It will satisfy children and adults alike! As a bonus, it is a naturally gluten-free food, so won’t feel as heavy as your classic casserole. 

14. Cajun Rutabaga Chips

If you like your chips with a bit of extra spice, you will love these Cajun rutabaga chips.

They are a low-carb and healthier alternative to classic potato chips, and they work wonderfully with a huge array of fresh dips. 

The best thing about this recipe is just how versatile it is. If you’re not the biggest fan of cayenne pepper, feel free to use paprika or another of your favorite spices instead. We love serving these with homemade spicy salsa. 

15. Rosemary Cod With Mashed Rutabaga

This likely isn’t a combination that you are familiar with. However, we promise you, it is a combination that you are certain to enjoy.

The rutabaga contrasts the lightly salted cod perfectly and makes for a very nutritious dinner. 

For the best results, we recommend using cod that is as fresh as possible. Additionally, if you want to get some extra veggies into your diet, this dish works perfectly with broccoli or leafy greens. 

16. Roasted Rutabaga Steaks 

Finally, we had to give this fun and innovative recipe a mention.

If you’re looking for a hearty vegetarian meal, these roasted rutabaga steaks are perfect. As a bonus, they require few ingredients to make!

They take around 1 hour to cook but don’t let that put you off. The extra time by the oven is definitely worth it. We love serving these with a fresh garden salad, however, they also work wonderfully as a veggie burger. 

Conclusion 

The humble, and often-overlooked rutabaga is actually one of the healthiest, most versatile, and most delicious root vegetables out there!

We hope that this article has inspired you to try incorporating rutabagas into your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Rutabagas Healthier Than Potatoes? 

This is a hard question to answer. Both vegetables have unique health benefits and an array of great nutrients.

However, rutabagas do have fewer calories and carbohydrates, so many people who want to lose weight tend to prefer rutabagas. 

Additionally, it is widely accepted by nutritional experts that the key to a healthy diet is variety.

As such, if you find yourself relying on potatoes often, it might be a good idea to mix things up by incorporating rutabagas, or other root vegetables, into your diet. 

Why Do They Put Wax On Rutabagas? 

If you’ve never used rutabaga before, you might be a little confused when you see them in the grocery store.

This is because rutabagas are usually coated in paraffin wax to ensure that they don’t dry out whilst being stored. It is important to remove the wax before cooking. 

Is Rutabaga Anti-Inflammatory? 

Rutabaga is a very healthy root vegetable with many different benefits. In fact, thanks to their high amounts of glucosinolates, it is thought that rutabagas are anti-inflammatory.

In fact, they have been shown to reduce inflammation and potentially decrease the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers. 

16 Delicious Rutabaga Recipes

16 Delicious Rutabaga Recipes

Recipe by Jenna

The humble rutabaga is often overlooked. But, it is versatile, packed with nutrients, and delicious! Check out our 16 favorite rutabaga recipes here

Course: Dinner
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