How to Cook Parsnips

Parsnips are a root vegetable similar to carrots, and they have a sweet, nutty flavor. They are off-white to pale yellow and are high in vitamin C. Parsnips can be cooked in various ways to release their tender, gentle sweetness and are often added to stews. They can also be enjoyed on their own, or as part of a medley of squash, carrots, and other vegetables. Here's how to cook parsnips in various ways!

Ingredients

Baked Parsnips

1-1/2 lbs. parsnips
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Fried Parsnips

6 parsnips
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 cup melted butter

Roasted Parsnips

2 lbs. medium parsnips
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Kosher salt
2 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. chopped Italian parsley

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Roasted Parsnips

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To prepare the parsnips, wash 2 lbs. of medium parsnips under cold water, peel them, and cut them diagonally into 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) slices. The result should resemble uneven medallions.

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Toss 2 lbs. of medium parsnips, 2 tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil, and 1 tsp. of Kosher salt together in a bowl.
Dot them with 2 tbsp. of melted butter.
Roast the parsnips for 20 minutes.^{[1]
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Roast them until they're brown and tender. Then, remove them from the oven and transfer them to a plate.
Season the parsnips with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle them with 2 tsp. of finely chopped fresh Italian parsley.^{[2]
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Enjoy these parsnips while they are hot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Baked Parsnips

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Trim the root and leaf ends of 1-1/2 lbs. of parsnips. Scrub them with a vegetable brush as you rinse them under cool water. Peel the parsnips and julienne them, cutting them into long thin strips similar to the shape of long French fries.
The parsnips should be submerged in the water, which will cook them once it boils in the oven.
Sprinkle the parsnips with 1/2 tsp. of dried oregano, 1/2 tsp. of dried parsley flakes, 1/4 tsp. of salt, and 1/8 tsp. of pepper.
After 35 minutes or so, you can check to see how tender they are by poking them with a fork.
Enjoy these parsnips while they are hot. You can enjoy them on their own or as a side to a meat or vegetable-based dish, such as chicken or eggplant.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Fried Parsnips

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Trim the root and leaf ends of 6 parsnips. Scrub them with a vegetable brush as you rinse them under cool water. Then, peel them and use a knife to quarter them lengthwise.
Cover the saucepan.
Boil them until they are tender. After 7 minutes, you can check them by poking them with a fork. When they are boiled, drain them to remove the water.
Place 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp. of seasoning salt in a sealable plastic bag and shake it to combine the ingredients.
To coat the parsnips, shake the bag to toss them with the seasoned flour.
It should take about one minute for the butter to be heated enough to sizzle.
After 2-3 minutes, turn them over with a spatula to cook both sides evenly. If they still need more time to be tender and golden brown, keep flipping them over or gently turning them with a fork until they are ready.
Enjoy these fried parsnips while they are hot. You can use them as a replacement to French fries and pair them with a sandwich.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Other Ways to Cook Parsnips

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1
Boil the parsnips. Boiling parsnips is a simple and quick way to enjoy their natural flavor.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Ian Heydecke
Culinary & Fitness Expert

Expert Interview} Here is what you should do to boil the parsnips:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water if desired.
- Trim the root and leaf ends of the parsnips.
- Scrub the parsnips with a vegetable brush while rinsing under cool water. Peel any part of the outer parsnip that is not favorable to eating.
- Place the parsnips into the boiling water and reduce to a simmer.
- Cook for 5 - 15 minutes, until the parsnips are tender.
2
Steam the parsnips. Steaming the parsnips is another quick and easy way to cook them that does not require the use of butter or other spices during the process -- you can add any butter, salt, pepper, or other spices later. Here is how you can steam the parsnips:
- Trim the root and leaf ends of the parsnips.
- Scrub the parsnips with a vegetable brush while rinsing under cool water.
- Peel any part of the outer parsnip that is not favorable to eating.
- Put the whole parsnips into a steamer and place over boiling water.
- Steam for 20 - 30 minutes.
3
Microwave the parsnips. Once you've trimmed the root and leaf ends of the parsnips and scrubbed them under cool water, there are only a few things you need to do to cook the parsnips in the microwave. Here is how you do it:
- Quarter the parsnips lengthwise.
- Put 2 tbsp. (28.56 ml) of water into a microwave safe dish.
- Place the parsnips into the dish and cover.
- Microwave on high for 4 - 6 minutes.

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Question

How do I cook parsnips in stew?

Community Answer

Treat them like you would carrots. Chop them up small and put them in with the rest of your vegetables, seasoning, herbs, meat, etc. Cook your stew in a slow cooker or simmer for a few hours.

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Can parsnips be boiled and mashed like squash or potatoes?

Community Answer

Of course- carrot and parsnip mash goes great with any meat dish - just remember the carrots take longer to cook!

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Can parsnips be mixed into minestrone soup?

Community Answer

Yes. Minestrone soup can, and frequently does, contain parsnips. Chop them up very small though.

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Tips

Parsnips can be pureed and made into bisque.

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Helpful 21 Not Helpful 4
Parsnips go nicely with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

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