Mashed Rutabaga is a simple recipe that makes a great alternative to mashed potatoes. With only 4 net carbs per serving, it’s low in carbs and ideal for those following a keto diet.
This post contains affiliate links. See ourDisclosure Statementfor more information.
Rutabaga is an often overlooked low carb vegetable, especially when it comes to low carb and keto diets.
With so many people looking for an alternative to potatoesthat isn’t cauliflower, it’s surprising that rutabaga isn’t flying off grocery store shelves. Yet.
Rutabaga can be prepared in most of the same ways that potatoes can. Two easy ways to prepare it are to make Roasted Rutabaga and Mashed Rutabaga.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is super easy.
You basically prepare the rutabaga the same way you would prepare mashed potatoes. It even has a similar mouth feel to mashed potatoes.
It’s a naturally gluten free recipe that has only 4 net carbs per approximately a half cup serving.
You can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your own taste.
How to Make Mashed Rutabaga
Prep!
Peel and cut your rutabaga into 1/2-inch rounds, then into 1/2-inch cubes.
Fill a sauce pan about 1/2 way with cold, salted water.
You can adjust the amounts of butter, cream, salt and pepper to suit your own tastes. Be aware that making any adjustments to the recipe will alter the nutritional information provided.
For creamier mashed rutabaga, you can use a food processor.
Store leftover mashed rutabaga tightly covered in the refrigerator.Use within 3-5 days.
FAQ’s
Is rutabaga low carb? Rutabaga is much lower in carbohydrates than most root vegetables. This makes it a great option for those following low carb or keto diets.
What does rutabaga taste like? Rutabagas have a taste similar to that of carrots and cabbage. When cooked, rutabaga takes on a taste and texture similar to strongly flavored potatoes.
More Side Dish Recipes to Try
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice is a low carb side dish that even kids love!
You might also enjoy this recipe for Fried Cabbage and Bacon or this recipe for Butternut Squash Gratin.
Cut your rutabaga into cubes and add to a pot of cold, salted water.
Place the pot on the stovetop over high heat and bring to a boil.
Boil, until the rutabaga is fork tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain the water and add the butter, heavy whipping cream, salt, and pepper to the pot with the rutabaga.
Use a potato masher to mash the rutabaga to your desired consistency.
Taste and season as preferred.
Notes
Tips and Techniques for the Best Mashed Rutabaga
You can adjust the amounts of butter, cream, salt and pepper to suit your own tastes. Be aware that making any adjustments to the recipe will alter the nutritional information provided.
For creamier mashed rutabaga, you can use a food processor.
Store leftover mashed rutabaga tightly covered in the refrigerator.Use within 3-5 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary. A serving is approximately a 1/2 cup.
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.
The rutabaga is a root vegetable worth exploring and definitely worthy of the spotlight. It has a vegetal, earthy taste, often compared to a milder carrot, cabbage, or turnip (or amalgam of the three). It pairs well with other root vegetables but can also stand on its own.
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.
Whipped rutabagas are a fantastic substitute for mashed potatoes not only because they're half the carbs and calories and contain four times the amount of fiber, but also because they are just as creamy as a potato when beaten. This especially makes it a great option for people on low-carb or keto diets.
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.
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. Look for fresh turnips. Avoid the very large, wrinkled and blemished turnips.
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.
A member of the cabbage family, the swede is often confused with the turnip, though they look quite different. It's also known as yellow turnip, Swedish turnip and Russian turnip and, in America, rutabaga. In Scotland, where it's known as neeps, swede is the traditional accompaniment to haggis on Burns Night.
Since rutabaga is a cruciferous vegetable, it contains raffinose, which is a complex sugar that can sometimes cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and flatulence.
The high amounts of fibers helps to regularize bowel movements. The nutrients in Rutabaga also helps to improve the metabolism of the body. Rutabaga is also known to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal distress in the body. It is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in essential nutrients.
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.
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.
Adding rutabagas to your diet may aid weight loss. This root vegetable is very high in fiber and takes longer to digest, keeping you feeling full longer. This may prevent overeating and, ultimately, weight gain ( 20 ). What's more, a high-fiber diet is associated with a greater diversity of gut bacteria.
Rutabagas are generally considered safe for individuals with diabetes due to their low glycemic index and moderate carbohydrate content. They can be a valuable addition to a diabetic diet as they contribute to better blood sugar management and provide essential nutrients.
Other names include Swedish turnip, neep (Scots), and turnip (Scottish and Canadian English, Irish English and Manx English, as well as some dialects of English in Northern England).
Sour, acidic tastes like these naturally counteract bitterness. Try squeezing some fresh Make-Lemon-Juice|lemon juice]] or adding a spoonful of vinegar to bitter dishes to neutralize the flavor a bit.
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.
Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.
Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making
Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
