Sweet Buttered Rutabagas have always been a staple on our holiday table. They are super simple to make they are boiled until tender, drizzled with milk or cream and topped with rich, creamy butter, delicious!
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Southern Buttered Rutabagas Recipe
Today I'm serving up my favorite side dish, Buttered Rutabaga Recipe! This may be the most overlooked vegetable in the veggie aisle but I'm telling you that you are missing out!
Or perhaps I should keep my mouth shut and keep that secret so there's more for the rest of us, LOL!
A lot of people reach for the sweet potatoes, but if you've never tried rutabagas, it's time to change that. This side is quick and easy to make and so good. In our house, it's never a holiday without serving this dish!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card below.
Buttered Rutabagas
Ingredients
- 4 large rutabaga
- 1 cup milk or cream
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Carefully peel rutabaga with a paring knife. Cut rutabaga into one-inch pieces.
- Place in a medium-sized pan. Cover with enough water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
- Boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes or so.
- Drain cooked rutabaga. Add the butter and milk, season with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make boiled rutabagas. For the complete instructions refer to the recipe card.
You'll need a sharp knife to slice the ends and peel the vegetable. Because the skin is so sharp, a knife is better than a vegetable peeler.
FAQ's
Rutabagas are a root vegetable. They are a cross between turnips and cabbage with the texture of a carrot. Crunchy when raw and slightly bitter in taste. Though you can certainly enjoy them in a salad or on a vegetable tray, I like them best cooked.
They are similar in texture, though young turnips have a sweeter flavor. Rutabagas and turnips are crunchy like carrots. As they grow larger the taste becomes bitter and they are best enjoyed cooked.
They are great in soups and stews. They are terrific mashed with a bit of butter because they aren't starchy like potatoes so they get super smooth! Another great way to eat them is raw, however Buttered Rutabagas are my first choice!
Rutabagas have less sugar and are higher in fiber than potatoes. Depending on what your diet requires, it may be a better choice.
The skin on the rutabagas is thick and waxy and has a bitter taste. Peel before eating, it's not tasty!
You can buy them in the grocery store, in the same section that you'll find potatoes, sweet potatoes and turnips.
Yes, they are slightly sweet and have a texture similar to turnips.
You'll find them in the vegetable department near the turnips and parsnips. They are creamy yellow in color. Select firm, smooth vegetables with a round, oval shape.
Tips
- Use a paring knife to peel the rutabaga, not a potato peeler. They skin is too thick to use a peeler.
- Rutabagas should feel heavy for their size. Do not choose vegetables with punctures, deep cuts, cracks, or decay.
- The vegetable itself is tough to peel. For this reason, I find the smaller ones easier to work with.
- Rutabagas keep well in the refrigerator. They will last two weeks or more. If stored at room temperature, they will last about a week.
How do you choose a good rutabaga?
You'll find them in the vegetable department near the turnips and parsnips. They are creamy yellow in color. Select firm, smooth vegetables with a round, oval shape.
Related recipes
There are a ton of different ways to enjoy rutabagas - here are more yummy recipes!
- Rutabaga Fries - seasoned and baked just like French fries, these are super yummy!
- Mashed Rutabagas with Garlic Butter - loaded with butter these are amazing. You could even add cream cheese to make them even creamier!
- Add them to your favorite vegetable soup or chicken soup recipe!
More great side dishes
What are your favorite holiday side dishes? Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Potatoes? There are so many favorites!
- One of my favorites is this recipe for pan roasted vegetables. Pan fried in olive oil and butter these are always a hit!
- Crockpot Cream Corn is easy to make and terrific wish mashed potatoes and turkey or ham - yum!
- Oven Roasted Delicata Squash is so pretty and festive! It's a great side dish, perfect for your Christmas table or Thanksgiving dinner.
Click here for more Holiday Side Dish Recipes.
Wrapping it up
If you've never cooked rutabagas before, now's the time to give this humble veggie its spotlight moment. Whether you mash 'em, roast 'em, or sauté them with butter, they're a delicious, hearty side that's simple to make and packed with flavor.
If you try this recipe, let me know how it goes! Leave a comment with your favorite way to serve them, or tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over so I can see your rutabaga masterpiece!
Denise T says
For easy peeling, slice off a bit of one end and microwave it for 5 minutes. Let it cool a bit, and then peel away. Slice it lengthwise to peel if that's easier for you.
Debra Clark says
I have never heard that Denise, I'm going to give it a try right away! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sue says
I love rutabagas! Make them quite often during the year, not only on Thanksgiving or holidays. Make them with butter and milk or cream, but I usually they are mashed. Having them again this year as part of the Thanksgiving meal.
Debra Clark says
I agree Sue, I definitely need to work them into more meals. They are so good! Thanks for sharing!! Deb
Georgia quill says
We have eaten for yrs! Delicious! My question? I am harvesting from my garden now! Upstate NY! What is perfect size to pick? Is Softball size about right? Afraid will be tough if bigger! Thank you!
Debra Clark says
Hey Georgia - how fun, your garden must be exploding right now! Yes, 3-4 inches is the right time to harvest them. They won't get "tough" per se, but pithy and strong flavored. So go ahead and harvest and enjoy! I'm a little jealous, I bet they are amazing!!
dorssie melvin says
i love pork. especially pork steak. this probably gives me away as a midwesterner. rutabagas are a perfect with any pork dish. i have eaten them my entire 78 years. i like to prepare them as i would a regular mashed potatoes dish. they whip up smooth and taste incredible. no need for gravy, just add a few pats of butter to rutabagas on the plate.
Debra Clark says
Oooh I love mashed rutabagas Dorssie, right there with you! That sounds amazing and would be a great side dish for the holiday season. Thanks for visiting the blog, I appreciate you!
Margaret Bailey says
I’m trying this today I’ve never cooked rutabaga but first time for everything I love cabbage and turnips si I know they will be good they wer given to me by marketplace because they closed 2 weeks and gave everything away I’m thankful
Bowl Me Over says
It's sad the market closed, but what a treat for you Margaret! Enjoy the Rutabagas, they are definitely a favorite!
Eileen says
This is a great recipe. It brought me right into my Granny's kitchen. We made this together so very often when I was a little girl. It is just delicious.
Lois says
I just love rutabagas they are just so good. Love them.
Bowl Me Over says
Me too, I could eat that whole bowlful, they are so yummy!
Rosemary Doyle says
Love them
Erin Parker says
We've never made rutabagas before this recipe. Our entire family loves them now! So good and so great for the upcoming holidays, too!
Bowl Me Over says
I'm so happy you tried and enjoyed this recipe Erin, we love rutabagas!
Brandi Burgess says
Never had a rutabaga but now I definitely want to try this!!!!
Bowl Me Over says
You should, they are sooo good!
Michaela Kenkel says
That buttery goodness reeled me in on facebook for this recipe! I had to try them for myself, and OH MY!! These will be on OUR table this year, too!!
Bowl Me Over says
They are the BEST!! I'm so happy you enjoyed them!!
jennifer stewart says
I keep seeing these everywhere so I am all in for a new side dish!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!
Madi says
Rutabagas are so popular where I live! I can't wait to try this version!
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome - enjoy!
Kathleen says
5 stars, because rutabaga's deserve a chance to shine too! And these are sparkling with yumminess!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes!! The lowly rutabaga's getting some <3
Julie Menghini says
I love turnips and cabbage so I know I'll love rutabagas! Especially the way you've prepared them here!
Michele says
I bought some rutabagas at the farmer's market and made this recipe! WE LOVED them! Super easy, and it was such a nice change from potatoes or rice as a side dish! Definitely going to make these again!