21 Parsnip Recipes That Will Make You Fall for This Underappreciated Root Vegetable (2024)

The pale parsnip is so much more than a carrot without the color. Parsnips are delicious and interesting, and they absolutely deserve our attention. Despite the fact that they're infrequently eaten or lost in a cornucopia of side dishes at the Thanksgiving table, these hearty root vegetables have serious culinary backbone. That's why we firmly believe that parsnips should feature on our tables far more often than they do.

Parsnips are typically a cold-season root vegetable, and they're ideally harvested after the first frost (a cold snap makes them sweeter). Adaptable and healthy, high in fiber, vitamin C, and minerals (especially potassium), they are versatile enough to carry a vegetarian entrée, diversify a salad, or create a creamily comforting soup.

How do you prep and cook parsnips? They can be peeled before use, but their skins are an additional source of flavor, so scrubbing up a batch to roast is a cinch. They can be used uncooked and are refreshingly crisp in salads. They turn mellow and soft after boiling—and are easy to mash and purée—while roasting emphasizes their sweetness. They can even be used in dessert! Explore the delicious world of the parsnip with our best recipes. We promise you'll be glad you did.

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Parsnip Onion Tarte Tatin

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An upside-down savory tart that shows off the sweet side of parsnips and onions. The vegetables are cooked gently on the stovetop, then topped with store-bought puff pastry and baked—just like a tarte tatin.

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Roasted Squash and Parsnip Soup

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Your new favorite soup recipe features winter squash, parsnips, apples, and nutty brown butter. It's spiked with aromatic fresh thyme and musky sage for even more flavor.

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Carrot and Parsnip Soufflé

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Parsnips get fancy in this sublime root vegetable soufflé. Combined with their better-known, brighter-colored cousin, the carrot, they bring elegance and sweet vegetal flavor to an airy soufflé.

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Light and Bright Beef Stew

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Fresh dill and white wine balance the sweetness of parsnips and leeks in this slow-cooked and brothy beef stew. It's just the thing to make when the weather turns cold.

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Parsnip Rosemary Muffins

Start the day with parsnips—in these delicate and not-too-sweet muffins. They're made with yogurt to keep them light, fresh rosemary makes them fragrant, and grated parsnip adds moisture and a subtle flavor.

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Shaved Parsnip and Grapefruit Salad

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The assertive flavors of bittersweet grapefruit segments and flat leaf parsley offset the sweet crispness of raw parsnip in this vibrant salad.

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Creamy Braised Parsnips With Sage

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If you already know and love roasted parsnips, you're ready for braised. Parsnips are cooked in chicken stock flavored with sage until tender, then finished with cream for serving.

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Parsnip and Pumpkin Seed Fries

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Powdering pumpkin seeds and tossing the parsnips in the nutty coating adds crunch to these caramel-chewy fries.

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Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Minty Yogurt Sauce

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Roasting emphasizes the sweetness of both root vegetables, but their textures are delightfully different: silky (carrots) and chewy (parsnips). Their combined caramels are balanced by refreshing minty yogurt and fresh thyme leaves.

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Roasted Parsnip Bread Pudding

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Brioche, parsnips, cream, eggs, and white wine come together to make this opulent bread pudding. It checks all the boxes for a main course centerpiece.

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Customizable Vegetable Soup

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For warming many hungry tummies, our customizable vegetable soup allows you to put whatever is in your pantry and refrigerator to good use, ensuring you make the most of what is on hand. Be sure to choose parsnips!

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Orecchiette with Sausage, Chard, and Parsnips

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A rewarding bowlful of sweet sausage, tender parsnips, and magnesium-rich Swiss chard is an easy and hearty reward after a long cold-weather hike.

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Slow-Cooker Root Vegetable Confit

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If you don't have a slow cooker, this recipe may convert you: parsnips, beets, carrots, and fennel are poached in a spiced oil and topped with pistachio pesto. Red wine vinegar adds essential acid to the sweet vegetables.

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Chicken Soup with Dill Spaetzle

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Abundant fresh dill brightens the dumplings in this soothing chicken and parsnip soup.

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Chorizo Parsnip and Olive Bites

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For individualized co*cktail snacks, pair spicy chorizo with warm, roasted parsnips, and salty olives.

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Spiced Parsnip Cupcakes

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Move over, carrot cake! Parsnips have arrived in cupcake town, and these moist, cardamom-rich confections will be a conversation starter.

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Winter Vegetable Red Curry

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The heat of chile is always a fine foil for the sweetness of parsnips. Spicy red curry paste and rich coconut milk pull together this mouthwatering vegetable curry.

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Spanish Clam Soup

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Briny clams, smoky paprika, fresh herbs, and sharp white wine are mellowed by soft-cooked parsnips.

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Pork with Pears and Parsnip Mash

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A beautifully smooth parsnip and potato mash is the perfect resting place for the delectable gravy in this pan-roasted pork loin.

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Roasted Parsnips with Rosemary

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These wedges of parsnip are like chunky fries, their roasted sweetness highlighted by tossing with rosemary before cooking.

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Roasted-Parsnip Soup with Chorizo

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Roasting parsnips before puréeing them adds a rich layer of flavor to this soup. The bright caper tapenade is a genius finishing touch. For a vegan version, substitute vegetable broth and skip the chorizo.

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21 Parsnip Recipes That Will Make You Fall for This Underappreciated Root Vegetable (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with a lot of parsnips? ›

Top parsnip recipes
  1. Parsnip latkes. ...
  2. Spiced parsnip & cauliflower soup. ...
  3. Truffled parsnip & parmesan bruschetta. ...
  4. Parsnip gnocchi. ...
  5. Chickpea & roasted parsnip curry. ...
  6. Roast parsnip & chestnut salad. ...
  7. Honey-mustard parsnip & potato bake. ...
  8. Parsnip & maple syrup cake.

Why are parsnips so much more expensive than carrots? ›

Like most root vegetables, parsnips are filled with a rich history rooted in peasant food. They are more expensive to grow, harvest (the tops are cut by hand) and pack, which is why the parsnip is a bit more expensive than its orange twin, the carrot.

Are parsnips good for weight loss? ›

Parsnips are low in calories and rich in fiber, which can support weight loss efforts when included in a well-balanced diet. One cup of sliced parsnips provides 6.5 g of fiber and just 100 calories.

What root vegetable is related to parsnip? ›

The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley, all belonging to the flowering plant family Apiaceae.

When should you not eat a parsnip? ›

Store in the refrigerator in an unsealed bag for 3+ weeks. If a raw parsnip becomes soft and squishy, this is a sign of rot and it should no longer be eaten. For better flavor, cook the parsnip with the skin on—after cooking, you have the option to eat the skin or not!

Why should you not peel parsnips? ›

Some vegetables, like celery root, have tough outer peels, which we always remove. Parsnips we assess on a case-by-case basis; the best flavor is actually right below the skin, so we try to avoid removing too much.

What's healthier carrot or parsnip? ›

Parsnips are a better source of vitamin C than carrots and beets. Parsnips and beets provide more folate than carrots. Falcarinol may be involved in carrot and parsnip beneficial health effects including anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet aggregation, and potential anticancer activity.

What's healthier parsnips or potatoes? ›

What sets parsnips apart is their low-calorie content and high fiber, making them an excellent alternative to starchy vegetables like potatoes. In fact, for two centuries, parsnips were the primary source of dietary starch in the US before potatoes took over. But there's more to parsnips than just nutrition.

Which is healthier parsnips or turnips? ›

When it comes to nutritional value, both parsnips and turnips offer unique benefits that can contribute to overall well-being. While parsnips are higher in vitamin K and dietary fiber, turnips are a rich source of vitamin C and other essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Who should not eat parsnips? ›

Some sensitive people may experience oral allergy syndrome (OAS) and contact dermatitis after they consume parsnip. Rashes or burning sensation in the lips, mouth and throat are some of the symptoms of OAS.

What are the side effects of parsnips? ›

In some cases, people consuming parsnip for the first time may also experience allergic conditions like dermatitis, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and food allergy symptoms like burning, itching, and swelling of lips and tongue, redness in the eyes, and breathing difficulty.

Are parsnips a laxative? ›

As a vegetable, in particular as a root vegetable, parsnips provide a significant amount of fiber. This makes them an excellent choice for people with digestive issues, since fiber has a great ability to help regulate bowel movements, reduce chances of indigestion, constipation, and other related digestive problems.

Can I eat parsnips raw? ›

Parsnips are usually cooked but can also be eaten raw. They have a lot going on nutritionally: They are filled with vitamins, high in the minerals potassium and manganese, and a good source of fiber.

Can dogs eat parsnips? ›

Yes, parsnips are good for dogs.

Parsnips are full of health benefits for dogs, when consumed in moderate amounts. These root veggies are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fibre. They contain vitamins C and K, which support a healthy immune system and aid in essential blood clotting.

What do parsnips taste like when cooked? ›

A parsnip is a long, tapered root vegetable. It resembles a carrot in this way, and indeed they are part of the same family. But parsnips don't taste like carrots. They're sweeter—think sweet potatoes—and they have a delicious naturally nutty or earthy flavor.

Can you freeze parsnips raw? ›

You can freeze parsnips raw without blanching them first. Clean, peel, trim, and cut them into pieces. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. However, they won't keep as long (only 2 or 3 months compared to up to a year) and they won't maintain their texture and quality as well as blanched parsnips.

Can I freeze parsnips? ›

To freeze: Cooked or uncooked parsnips can be frozen. You can blanch in boiling water for a few minutes and cool in ice water or roast in the oven before freezing. To defrost: When you take food or drink out of the freezer, it's important to defrost it safely. Don't defrost at room temperature.

What is the best storage for parsnips? ›

Parsnips are best if stored in cold, moist storage – at temperatures between 32 degrees and 40 degrees F with a relative humidity of 90 to 95 percent. The colder part of the refrigerator offers this range of temperatures.

How do you preserve fresh parsnips? ›

Both cooked and uncooked parsnips can be frozen. Blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, cool in ice water and drain before freezing. Or roast them up in the oven and freeze once they've cooled down.

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