What is the Difference Between Rutabaga and Turnip

The main difference between rutabaga and turnip is that rutabaga is a large yellowish root vegetable while turnip is a smaller root vegetable and has a purple tinge.

Rutabaga and turnip are two similar root vegetables belonging to the genus Brassica. They have a slightly bitter taste. You can eat them raw, roasted, baked, mashed, or added to soups or stews. The best way to distinguish rutabaga from turnips is their size and appearance, especially their colour.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Rutabaga
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Turnip
     – Definition, Features
3. What are the Similarities Between Rutabaga and Turnip
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Rutabaga and Turnip
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Rutabaga, Swede, Turnip

What is Rutabaga

Rutabaga is a large, round, root vegetable. It’s also known as swede. It’s a form of Brassica napus and a hybrid between a turnip and wild cabbage. Rutabaga actually looks like a large turnip. But it has a yellowish and brownish colour on the outside and has an orange-yellow colour inside. Rutabagas grow only in cool climates.

Like cabbage, rutabagas have a slightly bitter taste, but they are milder and sweeter when you eat it raw. When you cook it, it becomes more savoury. At large sizes, they stay tender. Rutabaga is high in vitamin C and fibre and is a good low carb diet. One cup of rutabaga usually contains 12 grams of carbohydrates.

What is Turnip

Turnip is a round root vegetable with white flesh. Turnips are white and purple on the outside and have white flesh inside. They are usually smaller than turnips. Their leafy greens are also edible.

They are best when small and tender, typically around the size of a tennis ball. When they get bigger, they get woody. Turnips usually don’t require peeling, but the bigger they get, the thicker their skins get, and you may have to peel the skin. These turnips also have a stronger taste than young turnips.

We usually serve turnips cooked than raw. But turnips, especially baby turnips, can be eaten young, in salads or with dips. Turnips can be baked, roasted, boiled, or even when added to stews and soups.

Similarities Between Rutabaga and Turnip

• Both rutabagas and turnips are root vegetables belonging to the genus Brassica.
• They have a slightly bitter taste.
• You can eat them raw, roasted, baked, mashed, or added to soups or stews.

Difference Between Rutabaga and Turnip

Definition

Rutabaga is a large, yellowish round, root vegetable and believed to be a hybrid between a turnip and wild cabbage while turnip is a round root vegetable with white flesh.

Size

Rutabagas are generally larger than turnips.

Colour

Moreover, rutabaga has a yellowish and brownish colour on the outside and an orange-yellow colour inside, while a turnip has a white and purple colour on the outside and white flesh inside.

Taste

Rutabaga has a slightly sweet taste than the turnip.

When Cooked

When cooked, turnips will remain white, but rutabaga will turn a yellowish/golden colour.

Conclusion

The main difference between rutabaga and turnip is their size and appearance. Rutabagas are generally larger than turnips. Moreover, rutabaga has a yellowish and brownish colour on the outside and an orange-yellow colour inside, while a turnip has a white and purple colour on the outside and white flesh inside.

Reference:

1. Watson, Molly. “How to Choose, Store, and Cook Turnips.” The Spruce Eats, Available here.
2. Williams, Corey. “What Is a Rutabaga-and What Should You Do With It? .” MyRecipes, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rutabaga, variety nadmorska” By Picasa user Seedambassadors –  (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Turnip 2622027” By thebittenword.com –  (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia