Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (2024)

Published: / Modified: by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / Leave a Comment

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This recipe for roasted Japanese turnips, also known as Hakurei turnips, tossed in maple miso butter is SO delicious! Made with only a handful of ingredients, it’s a simple vegetarian side dish that still packs a ton of sweet, salty, and umami flavor notes.

Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (1)

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This is the last recipe post I have for you in 2020, and I thought it was only fitting to end this veggie-filled (and chaos-filled) year with a dish that highlights a unique vegetable! It is a Veg World, after all ;-).

These roasted Japanese turnips are coated in a downright delicious combination of melted butter, sweet white miso, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Once you try this combination, you’ll pretty much be running back for a second helping.

The miso paste (made from fermented soybeans and rice) contributes an umami taste, the syrup and vinegar add some sweetness, and the butter yields a velvety mouthfeel.

But you may be thinking…turnips? Can they really be the star of a meal?! Hold the skepticism for just a second, and let me tell you all about the lesser known turnip variety I used in this recipe.

What is a Japanese turnip?

Japanese turnips, also known as Hakurei turnips, are a small, white variety of turnips. They have a sweeter and milder taste than purple top turnips with a crisp flesh that’s reminiscent of apples.

Their mild flavor makes them quite enjoyable to eat raw, and they’re often served that way in salads. However, roasting makes them even sweeter.

Japanese turnips, as their name suggests, were first cultivated in Japan. Today, you can find them in many regions during the fall and winter. Nutritionally, Hakurei turnips are similar to other varieties. They are rich in vitamin C and also provide vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber.

Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (2)

Where to Buy Japanese Turnips

You may be able to find Hakurei turnips at the farmers market during the fall and winter. They also appear in CSA or farm share boxes, and stores like Whole Foods, co-ops, or other health food stores may carry them. I got my bunch from a local farm-to-table restaurant that also sells veggies.

How to Make Roasted Japanese Turnips

Alright, let’s get to the recipe for roasted Japanese turnips!! As a reminder, I’m just giving you a preview of the recipe here. Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post for full details.

  1. Scrub and trim the turnips. Toss them in olive oil. Spread out on a lined baking sheet, and roast until tender.
  2. In the meantime, heat the butter, miso, maple syrup, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Add a dash of soy sauce, and keep warm until the turnips are ready. Toss the turnips in the sauce, and devour!

Expert Tips

  • I like to use sweet white miso paste for my roasted Japanese turnips. You can find miso paste at many grocery stores, usually in the refrigerated condiment section close to the salad dressings.
  • Wait to prepare the sauce until 5 or 10 minutes before the turnips are finished roasting. This will ensure the sauce is fresh and warm when you eat the dish.
  • The turnips and sauce are best enjoyed right away, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat in the microwave for about a minute until warmed through.
  • Feel free to substitute other turnip varieties in this recipe. You can also sub honey for maple syrup and tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (3)

More Turnip Recipes

If you love these delicious roasted Japanese turnips, you should also check out the Roasted Turnips and Pears with Rosemary Honey Butter, Turnip Stir Fry with White Beans, and the Turnip Hash Brown Cakes with Apple Chutney. For another recipe with miso, try the Roasted Golden Beets with Maple Miso.

I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

📖 Recipe

Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (4)

Roasted Japanese Turnips Recipe

Japanese (Hakurei) turnips are roasted to tender perfection then tossed in a sweet and salty maple miso butter. This vegetarian side dish is made with simple ingredients that pack a ton of flavor.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 113kcal

Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch Japanese turnips - about 6 turnips
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Scrub and trim the turnips, then dice into cubes. Transfer the turnips to the baking sheet, and toss with olive oil. Spread them out in a single layer, and roast for 20 to 25 minutes until tender and lightly browned. You may want to flip them halfway through cooking.

  • A few minutes before the turnips are finished roasting, combine the butter and miso in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the butter and miso melt down. Stir in the syrup, vinegar, and soy sauce until smooth. Keep warm, and toss the turnips in the sauce before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • If you can’t find Japanese turnips, you can substitute other varieties.
  • This dish is best eaten right away, but leftovers will last for a couple days in the fridge. Reheat for about one minute in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

Have a happy and healthy 2021! – Lizzie

Roasted Japanese Turnips (Hakurei Turnips) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you eat Hakurei turnips? ›

Unlike other turnip varieties, hakurei do not need to be cooked. They have an even-textured density and the flavor pairs well with a variety of different food items. Eat them raw (just whole, or chopped/grated in salads), make a quick pickle, or cook with their greens to enhance their natural sweetness.

Are Hakurei turnips the same as regular turnips? ›

Unlike other turnips, Hakurei turnips do not need to be cooked. They share the same crunch as a radish, with a subtly sweet flavor when you eat them raw. They turn into flavor sponges when cooked, soaking in all the goodness of whatever liquid they're simmered or braised in.

What is the best way to cook and eat turnips? ›

Baked, Boiled or Steamed. Use turnips any way you would use a potato, and then some. Try them baked or boiled in stews, soups and stir-fries, or lightly steamed with some butter, salt or lemon juice for flavor. homemade coleslaw.

Are Hakurei turnips good for you? ›

No need to peel, just wash well and trim the ends. The tops are also edible, either raw or quickly sautéed with oil and garlic. The turnip is an excellent source of vitamin C,B6, and E, fiber, and potassium.

Can you eat Hakurei turnips raw? ›

Hakurei turnips are also known as Toyko turnips. These turnips are similar to other turnips, however, they can be consumed raw, so are also known as salad turnips. Turnips are a good source of vitamin C.

What does hakurei turnip taste like? ›

Their surprisingly delicate, almost fruity flavor and crunchy texture accounts for their popularity. They're delicious raw, but if you can resist the urge to simply pop them in your mouth, try shaving them into salads or slaws along with thinly sliced apples or pears.

What are the other names for hakurei turnips? ›

These gorgeous, delicious Hakurei turnips are also known as Salad Turnips or Japanese Turnips and are a wonderful farmers market season crop that often shows up around early Spring and last through middle to end of summer depending on where you live.

What are the pests in hakurei turnips? ›

Root Maggots and Cabbage Flies

Using row cover makes it easy to keep these pests out. These pests are easy to exclude when using row cover. Root maggots are the larvae of a tiny gray fly, so if you keep the fly out, you should be able to avoid them.

What does the name hakurei mean? ›

The name Hakurei means "white ray of light" in Japanese, referring to the turnip's bright white color. Turnips, not pumpkins, were used to carve the first Jack-o'-lanterns.

Why put baking soda in turnips? ›

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.

What makes turnips taste better? ›

How do you get the bitterness out of turnips? Smaller turnips tend to be sweeter and less bitter, so start by selecting fresh, small, tender turnips and peeling them. Adding a little sugar to your turnips after cooking can also help to counteract any bitterness.

What is the healthiest way to eat turnips? ›

Boil or steam turnips and add them to mashed potatoes for extra vitamins and minerals. Grate them raw into salads or slaws. Roast them with other root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes, and bring out their natural sweetness.

Who should not eat turnips? ›

If you are suffering from thyroid disorders, it is best to avoid eating turnips as this vegetable contains certain compounds that may affect the thyroid gland and interfere in the functioning of the hormone.

Is turnip good for high blood pressure? ›

They play a significant role in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's DASH diet, which medical experts have designed to bring down blood pressure. Turnips also provide potassium, which may help lower blood pressure by releasing sodium from the body and helping arteries dilate.

Are roasted turnips good for you? ›

As a product of this group, the turnip is known for its high nutrient count and its low calorie density, which makes it a perfect food to add to your healthy eating plan. In one medium-sized turnip there are just 34 calories, 4 grams of fiber when cooked and 1 gram of protein.

Are the greens of Hakurei turnips edible? ›

Hakurei turnips (also referred to as salad turnips) can be eaten raw in salads, sliced up for finger food or roasted and grilled. The flavor is slightly sweet, very succulent and buttery, with a little spice. The turnip greens are delicious and can be sautéed with garlic and topped with lemon and parmesan.

What is the best way to eat raw turnip? ›

Though they are most commonly cooked, turnips can be enjoyed raw as well. If you plan to eat them raw, simply peel and slice the turnip like an apple to eat with dips or add to the top of your salad.

Is it better to eat turnips raw or cooked? ›

Turnips have a crisp, white inner flesh and a zesty, peppery flavor. People can eat them raw or cooked. However, roasting turnips tends to bring out their best flavors and qualities.

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