Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (2024)

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If you are looking for a flavorful dish that can substitute for mashed potatoes, this creamy mashed rutabagas recipe could be just what you are looking for. It is the perfect side dish; you can make it in 30 minutes.

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (1)

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If you are looking for a fun alternative to mashed potatoes, this easy mashed rutabagas recipe is a must-try recipe. It is naturally gluten free, and you can make this recipe in about 20 minutes. It is also great for Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Serve it with any meat dish, or even serve it with this Chicken Legs recipe on top.

For the holidays, I am using rutabagas as a mashed side dish…they are so flavorful on their own, especially with some caramelized shallots and butter.

Go here if you want to see a handy index of all of our side dish recipes.

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (2)

Made this tonight as the top for a keto shepherds pie and it was awesome!!! Will continue to make!

A.H., Pinterest user

Why This Is The Recipe To Make:

  1. This recipe is quick and easy.
  2. You only need a few simple ingredients.
  3. This recipe is amazing at Thanksgiving!
  4. Rutabagas are easy to find in both grocery stores and farmer’s markets.

I would love to hear what you have created with this vegetable. Are you ready to make this mashed rutabaga recipe? You may also love this Air Fryer Rutabagas recipe!

Ingredient Notes:

  • Rutabagas – These are easy to find at the grocery store.
  • Shallot – Use fresh if you can, but freeze-dried are okay.
  • Heavy cream – Do not use half and half.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter or dairy-free butter.
  • Parmesan (optional)
  • Scallions – For garnish.

Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (3)

Step 1: Take your rutabagas and use a peeler to remove the outside peel. (Note the outer skin is thick.) Cut the rutabaga into pieces. This will allow it to cook quickly. Add the rutabagas to a pot with water.

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (4)

Step 2: Cover and boil until the rutabagas are soft.

Step 3: Drain the water. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot.

Step 4: Take an electric mixer and whip the rutabagas until they are creamy.

What To Serve With Mashed Rutabagas:

  • Gluten Free Swedish Meatballs
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
  • Easy Gluten Free Meatloaf
Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (5)

Mashed rutabagas make a delicious side dish. Our other favorite side dishes are these Bacon Scalloped Potatoes and this Turmeric Lime Cauliflower.

Recipe FAQ:

What are Rutabagas?

They are that bi-colored vegetable that looks a little like a turnip. Rutabagas are one of the more underused vegetables, in my opinion. They have a robust flavor that adds so much to soups and stews. You can cook rutabagas just like potatoes, and you can even mash them the same way.

What do rutabagas taste like?

Rutabagas taste similar to mashed potatoes but have a slightly stronger flavor—almost a cross between potatoes and turnips.

How do you store mashed rutabagas?

Store the mashed rutabagas in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze in a zipper-style freezer bag for up to 4 months.

How do you make this recipe ahead?

Yes, you can peel and chop the rutabaga head. Then, make the recipe in the next couple of days.

Can you make this recipe dairy-free?

You can easily make this recipe dairy-free by using dairy-free butter.

More Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes:

  • Mashed Potato Pie
  • Roasted Fava Beans
  • Mashed Cauliflower with Cheese

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (6)

Creamy Mashed Rutabagas

Sandi Gaertner

Easy, creamy mashed rutabagas recipe

4.79 from 14 votes

Print Pin it

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 31 minutes mins

Total Time 41 minutes mins

Course Gluten Free Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 152 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 5 in large rutabagas peels removed, chopped in large pieces
  • ½ shallot minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • scallions for garnish

Instructions

  • In a pot, put rutabagas and add water to cover.

  • Bring to a boil and cook until the rutabagas are soft.

  • Drain water out of the pot and return rutabagas to the pot.

  • In a small skillet, add butter and shallots.

  • Over low heat, caramelize the shallots in the butter until they are golden brown.

  • Add shallots, salt, and cream to the pot.

  • Use an electric hand mixer to blend ingredients into a mash.

  • Serve hot with scallions as the garnish on top.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 228mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

This post was updated from an older November 2015 post with more details.

Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (7)
Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (8)
Quick and Easy Mashed Rutabagas Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you prepare rutabagas to eat? ›

One of the simplest and tastiest ways to eat rutabagas is just to cube, boil, and mash them with butter. Unlike potatoes, which can get gluey if you mash them overzealously, there's no danger of overdoing it with rutabaga. If you want them really smooth, you can throw rutabagas in the food processor.

Does mashed rutabaga taste like mashed potatoes? ›

Rutabagas have a slightly sweet taste and are not bitter like a turnip. You can mash them, bake them, add them in soups and casseroles, and do roughly the same things that you would as with a potato.

How do you take the bitterness out of a rutabaga? ›

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 mashed rutabaga healthy? ›

Encourages healthy bowels

A cup of boiled and mashed rutabaga provides 4.32 grams (g) of dietary fiber toward the 14 g of fiber per 1000 calories that the American government recommends people consume. Dietary fiber helps to keep the bowels healthy and can decrease the risk of: constipation. hemorrhoids.

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 you peel rutabaga before boiling? ›

Rutabagas mix well with other root vegetables. Mix with carrots, pota- toes, and turnips to make a healthy vegetable stew. The wax and skin of rutabagas must be peeled before cooking. A sharp paring knife is better than a vegetable peeler.

Are rutabagas healthier than potatoes? ›

Rutabagas, which are high in vitamin C and fiber, make a great alternative to potatoes in a low- carb diet: One cup of boiled and cubed rutabaga contains 12 grams of carbohydrates, while the same amount of boiled and cubed potatoes contain 31 grams of carbohydrates. A rutabaga has no trans fat or cholesterol.

Why does my rutabaga taste bitter? ›

The rutabaga's taste is milder but with sweet tones and sometimes just a tinge of bitterness. Much like their fellow Brassica family members, they have a somewhat sharp and pungent, almost peppery bite to them. (This is due to the presence of sulfur in the vegetable family.)

Do I have to peel rutabaga? ›

Here are a few tips on prepping rutabaga for cooking. **Always peel rutabaga before slicing it and don't attempt to cut off large chunks. If you try to slice the vegetable in half, your knife will most likely get stuck. Instead, slice off thin slices starting from the outside and then cut them into desired shapes.

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 sweetest rutabaga? ›

When I was there recently, I discovered the Gilfeather rutabaga, the tastiest and sweetest member of the rutabaga family. Truth be told, I'd never had a rutabaga before.

What does boiled rutabaga taste like? ›

Rutabagas are a root vegetable and are a cross between turnips and cabbage. Rutabagas have a slightly bitter flavor and taste like a less-sweet carrot. When cooked, rutabagas become sweeter and taste similar to potatoes.

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 are the side effects of eating rutabagas? ›

‌Although rutabagas have many health benefits, they must be eaten in moderation. They can cause discomfort if you have irritable bowel syndrome or allergies related to cruciferous vegetables. If this is the case, talk to your doctor before adding them to your diet.

Is rutabaga a laxative? ›

Dietary fiber improves digestion by bulking up the stool and encouraging elimination, so rutabagas can provide natural constipation relief. A 2012 study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology showed that dietary fiber intake can increase stool frequency in patients with constipation.

How to clean and cook rutabaga? ›

Peel and dice rutabaga into 1/2-inch pieces. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rutabaga and fresh carrots; simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30-40 minutes. If using canned carrots, add 5 minutes before the end of cooking.

Do you peel the skin off a rutabaga? ›

Here are a few tips on prepping rutabaga for cooking. **Always peel rutabaga before slicing it and don't attempt to cut off large chunks. If you try to slice the vegetable in half, your knife will most likely get stuck. Instead, slice off thin slices starting from the outside and then cut them into desired shapes.

Are rutabagas better for you than potatoes? ›

Rutabagas, which are high in vitamin C and fiber, make a great alternative to potatoes in a low- carb diet: One cup of boiled and cubed rutabaga contains 12 grams of carbohydrates, while the same amount of boiled and cubed potatoes contain 31 grams of carbohydrates. A rutabaga has no trans fat or cholesterol.

Can I eat raw rutabaga? ›

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.

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