Turnip vs. Parsnip — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
Turnip is a round root vegetable with white flesh and purple or white skin, while parsnip is a long, tapered root vegetable resembling a pale carrot with creamy white skin.
Difference Between Turnip and Parsnip
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Turnips are generally round with a slightly peppery flavor, often used in stews and soups. Parsnips, on the other hand, are sweeter and more nutty in flavor, and are commonly roasted or mashed.
Turnips have smooth purple or white skin and a crisp, firm texture, suitable for both raw and cooked dishes. Parsnips, by contrast, have a rough, pale skin and become tender and sweet when cooked.
Turnips are less sweet compared to parsnips and have a flavor that intensifies with age. Parsnips develop a caramel-like sweetness after frost exposure, enhancing their flavor.
Turnips can be harvested young for a mild taste or left to mature for stronger flavors. Parsnips are typically harvested after frost, which breaks down starches into sugars, giving them a sweeter taste.
Turnips are more common in European and Asian cuisines, while parsnips are more popular in European and North American cooking.
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Comparison Chart
Appearance
Round, purple or white skin
Long, tapered, pale skin
Flavor
Mildly peppery, earthy
Sweet, nutty, caramel-like
Texture
Firm and crisp
Tender and soft when cooked
Harvest Time
Harvested before or after frost
Best harvested after frost
Culinary Use
Raw or cooked, soups, stews
Roasted, mashed, or pureed
Compare with Definitions
Turnip
Leaves are also edible and used in cooking.
The turnip greens made a delicious, nutrient-rich side dish.
Parsnip
Has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor.
Roasted parsnips add a delightful sweetness to the winter meal.
Turnip
A staple in European and Asian cuisines.
The traditional stew called for turnips and potatoes as key ingredients.
Parsnip
Used in European and North American cuisines.
Mashed parsnips and potatoes create a creamy, comforting dish.
Turnip
Can be consumed young for a mild flavor or left to mature for a stronger taste.
The young turnips were sliced thin and added to the soup.
Parsnip
A long, white, carrot-shaped root vegetable.
The gardener pulled parsnips from the ground after the first frost.
Turnip
A round root vegetable with firm, white flesh.
The farmer harvested fresh turnips to sell at the market.
Parsnip
Grows best in colder climates.
The parsnips thrived in the cool autumn weather, ready for winter harvest.
Turnip
Has a slightly peppery taste and smooth skin.
Turnips add a spicy kick to the salad when eaten raw.
Parsnip
Becomes sweeter after exposure to frost.
The frost improved the parsnips' flavor, giving them a caramel-like sweetness.
Turnip
The turnip or white turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, fleshy taproot.
Parsnip
The parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley, all belonging to the flowering plant family Apiaceae. It is a biennial plant usually grown as an annual.
Turnip
A round root with white or cream flesh which is eaten as a vegetable and also has edible leaves.
Parsnip
A long tapering cream-coloured root vegetable with a sweet flavour
Roasted parsnips
A puree of celeriac and parsnip
Parsnip wine
Turnip
The European plant of the cabbage family which produces the turnip.
Parsnip
The Eurasian plant of the parsley family which yields parsnips.
Turnip
A large, thick, old-fashioned watch.
Parsnip
A plant (Pastinaca sativa) in the parsley family, native to Eurasia, cultivated for its long, white, edible, fleshy root.
Turnip
A widely cultivated Eurasian plant (Brassica rapa) of the mustard family, having a large rounded edible whitish root and edible leaves.
Parsnip
The root of this plant.
Turnip
The root of this plant, eaten as a vegetable.
Parsnip
A biennial plant, Pastinaca sativa, related to the carrot.
Turnip
Chiefly Northeast US A rutabaga.
Parsnip
The root of the parsnip, when used as a vegetable.
Turnip
The white root of a yellow-flowered plant, Brassica rapa, grown as a vegetable and as fodder for cattle.
Parsnip
The aromatic and edible spindle-shaped root of the cultivated form of the Pastinaca sativa, a biennial umbelliferous plant which is very poisonous in its wild state; also, the plant itself.
Turnip
The yellow root of a related plant, the swede or Brassica napus.
Parsnip
The whitish root of cultivated parsnip
Turnip
(Hong Kong) The white root of Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also known as a daikon.
Parsnip
A strong-scented plant cultivated for its edible root
Turnip
(dated) A large, heavy pocket watch, so called because its profile resembled the vegetable.
Parsnip
Whitish edible root; eaten cooked
Turnip
(slang) A fool or simpleton.
Turnip
(transitive) To plant with turnips.
Turnip
(transitive) To feed or graze (livestock) on turnips.
Turnip
The edible, fleshy, roundish, or somewhat conical, root of a cruciferous plant (Brassica campestris, var. Napus); also, the plant itself.
Turnip
Widely cultivated plant having a large fleshy edible white or yellow root
Turnip
Root of any of several members of the mustard family
Common Curiosities
Do turnips and parsnips taste the same?
No, turnips are mildly peppery, while parsnips are sweeter and nuttier.
Are turnips and parsnips grown in the same climate?
Both thrive in cool climates, but parsnips are best harvested after frost.
Which is more nutritious, turnips or parsnips?
Both are nutritious, with parsnips being higher in carbohydrates and turnips having fewer calories.
Can turnips be substituted for potatoes?
Yes, turnips can be used as a low-carb alternative to potatoes.
Can turnips and parsnips be eaten raw?
Turnips can be eaten raw; parsnips are typically cooked to enhance their flavor.
Are turnips and parsnips related?
Both are root vegetables but belong to different botanical families.
Can turnips and parsnips be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but the flavor difference should be considered when substituting.
Do turnips become sweeter after frost like parsnips?
Turnips don't undergo the same sweetening process as parsnips after frost.
Are parsnips used in desserts due to their sweetness?
Yes, some desserts use parsnips for their natural sweetness.
Can turnips be pickled like other vegetables?
Yes, turnips can be pickled to create a tangy side dish.
Is there a specific season for turnips and parsnips?
Both are primarily harvested in autumn and winter.
Do turnips or parsnips have edible greens?
Turnip greens are edible, whereas parsnip greens are not typically consumed.
Do parsnips require peeling before cooking?
Yes, peeling is usually recommended to remove the tough outer skin.
Do parsnips pair well with meats?
Yes, roasted parsnips complement a variety of meats due to their sweet flavor.
Are turnips and parsnips both suitable for soups and stews?
Yes, both are excellent additions to soups and stews.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
