Roasted Rutabaga is an easy and delicious side dish. You can pair it with any main dishes that you would pair with roasted potatoes. And rutabaga is a tasty low carb alterative to potatoes. The oven roasted rutabaga cubes are crisp and golden, and it only takes 30 minutes in the oven.
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What is a Rutabaga?
Rutabaga, which is also called swede, or Swedish turnip, is a root vegetable of the cruciferous family of vegetables. This vegetable is closely related to and similar to a turnip, but not the same. Rutabagas are a result of a cross between a turnip and a wild cabbage.
Rutabaga is a versatile vegetable that's often overlooked. It has an earthy and slightly sweet, buttery flavor and a dense but tender flesh when cooked. You can use this vegetable in many different ways (Try my Air Fryer Rutabaga Fries). It's a delicious change from the same old root vegetables; potatoes and carrots.
Why You'll Love It
- Delicious Roasting vegetables concentrates their sugars, making them sweeter and more deeply flavored.
- Lower Carb Rutabaga is much lower in carbs than potatoes and it's a great side dish option for those on a low carb or keto diet.
- Healthy The humble rutabaga is a nutrient packed vegetable. It's an excellent source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals.
- Quick and Easy Roasting rutabaga is as easy as tossing it in a little olive oil and seasonings and into the oven for 30 minutes.
- Versatile Roasted Rutabaga is a perfect side dish for meats, chicken, pork, or fish.
Ingredient Notes
- Rutabaga Rutabaga should feel heavy for it's size and have a smooth, firm skin with a purple tinge. Avoid buying a rutabaga that has any green shoots, which means it is over ripe. Smaller sized rutabaga have a sweeter taste than larger ones.
- Olive Oil I love the flavor that olive oil imparts for roasting. You can also use avocado oil, another favorite, or vegetable oil.
- Spices This simple recipe is just sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika. You can use any of your favorite seasonings, including onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, rosemary, or even Cajun seasoning. You can garnish the baked rutabaga with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, too. For a sweeter dish, toss the cubes in a little maple syrup before roasting.
Step By Step Instructions
These instructions are intended as a visual guide. Complete detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
First we need to peel and slice the rutabaga into cubes. Here's how.
- With a sharp knife, slice off the root and stem ends, and slice the rutabaga in half. Slice each half into one inch half moon slices.
- Use a paring knife to peel away the waxy skin. (Much easier than using a vegetable peeler).
- Slice each half moon into one inch strips.
- Slice the strips into one inch cubes and you're done!
- In a large bowl, toss the rutabaga cubes with the olive oil, salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
- Spread the seasoned rutabaga cubes in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the center of the oven until the rutabaga is tender when pierced with a fork and golden brown.
Helpful Tips
- Rutabaga is a large, hard vegetable and can be intimidating to cut. Use the instructions in this post (with step by step photos) for the easiest way to cut rutabagas. Make sure to have a sturdy, sharp knife (like a chef's knife) and a stable cutting board.
- When slicing, try to keep the cubes as uniform in size as possible to ensure even cooking. (But don't worry if they are aren't exact).
- Store leftover roasted rutabaga in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and heat in a 400° oven for 5-10 minutes.
Common Questions
Although the skin is edible, it is tough and usually covered in a waxy coating when you buy them at the grocery store. It's best to peel the rutabaga before cooking.
Yes, to freeze the oven roasted rutabaga, first flash freeze the cubes by spreading them on a tray. Put the tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Then the cubes can be packed into a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. For even longer freezer storage, I like to use a vacuum sealing system for freezing food.
No, unlike potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, the rutabaga is not a member of the nightshade family of plants. Instead, rutabaga belongs to the brassica family of cruciforous plants. If you are sensitive or need to avoid eating nightshades, then rutabaga is a great alternative to potatoes.
Yes, rutabaga is keto friendly. With only 7 grams of net carb per cup, you can eat this vegetable and easily stay within your carb limit.
Yes, you can air fry the rutabaga cubes in a single layer for 15-20 minutes at 400°.
Serving Suggestions
Rutabaga is a delicious stand in for any meal that you would serve roasted potatoes. You can serve it alongside Air Fryer Meatloaf. We also love this roasted veggie with Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Blackened Cod, or Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken.
Try tossing baked rutabaga cubes in a salad. They can easily replace the butternut squash in this Butternut Buckwheat Salad. Or the sweet potatoes in this Quinoa Chickpea Salad.
More Healthy Side Dishes
If you like this easy recipe, you might also want to check these out, too.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!
Recipe
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Roasted Rutabaga
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound rutabaga peeled and cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Peel and cut the rutabaga into one inch cubes. (see notes for the easiest way)
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Put the rutabaga cubes into a large bowl with the olive oil and spices. Toss to coat completely.
- Spread the cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and fork tender.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
Notes
- With a sharp knife, slice off the root and stem ends, and slice the rutabaga in half. Slice each half into one inch half moon slices.
- Use a paring knife to peel away the waxy skin. (Much easier than using a vegetable peeler).
- Slice each half moon into one inch strips.
- Slice the strips into one inch cubes and you're done!
- Make sure to have a sturdy, sharp knife (like a chef's knife) and a stable cutting board.
- When slicing, try to keep the cubes as uniform in size as possible to ensure even cooking. (But don't worry if they are aren't exact).
- Store leftover roasted rutabaga in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and heat in a 400° oven for 5-10 minutes.
- To freeze the oven roasted rutabaga, first flash freeze the cubes by spreading them on a tray. Put the tray in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. Then the cubes can be packed into a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. For even longer freezer storage, I like to use a vacuum sealing system for freezing food.
- To make this recipe in an air fryer, put the rutabaga cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket for 15-20 minutes at 400°.
Lisa
This was so easy, so delicious and so healthy! My first time eating rutabaga!
Thank you!
Colleen
Hi Lisa! I'm so happy to hear that you loved the roasted rutabaga. Thanks so much for commenting!
Lisa
I love making this as an alternative to potatoes. So tasty!
Jacqueline Debono
I love roasting root veggies but have never tried rutabaga. It's actually not so widely available here in Italy but am going to look out for some as would love to try this recipe!
Ashley
I've never had rutabaga, but this looks like a nice easy way to enjoy it!
Leslie
I don't know why but I didn't realize rutabaga was lower in carbs. Good to know and I'm excited to try this in the air fryer!
Amy Liu Dong
An easy and delicious recipe to make and will be enjoyed by everyone. Yum!
veenaazmanov
Potatoes is my all time favorite and this dish of Roasted Rutabaga sounds an healthier option. Simple and easy but yet a delicious side dish for any meal.
Helene
A good alternative to potatoes. Already put it on my next grocery list. I always see it in the vegetable aisle, but I didn’t know it would be so easy to prepare rutabaga. Thanks for the recipe.
megane
I love the salty smokey flavor in this. It really is a delicious way to roast them.
Jennifer
Yum!
Amanda
This rutabaga came out so good! The exterior texture was perfectly crisp, and it was super simple to make. Great side dish.
Sharon
This roasted rutabaga recipe was a hit when swapped for my traditional roasted mashed potatoes. Can't wait to make it again.