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Turnips au Gratin Recipe

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3.9 from 29 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Diet: Low Carb

Description

Turnips au Gratin is a deliciously creamy and cheesy baked side dish that offers a low-carb alternative to traditional au gratin potatoes. This comforting recipe features thinly sliced turnips layered with sharp white cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and aromatic thyme, baked until tender and golden brown. Perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals, it brings a rich, flavorful twist to your table while keeping carbs in check.

Ingredients

Turnip Mixture

  • 2 lbs turnips (opt for medium to smaller sized turnips)
  • 1 tsp pink salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp organic garlic powder
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Dairy

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, diced and divided
  • 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F to prepare for baking the gratin.
  2. Prepare Turnips: Peel the turnips using a vegetable peeler and slice them into 1/8 inch thick rounds with a sharp knife or mandoline slicer for even cooking.
  3. Grease Dish: Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
  4. Season Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, combine the pink salt, cracked black pepper, and organic garlic powder thoroughly.
  5. Layer Ingredients: Arrange one-third of the turnip slices evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle one-third of the cream, shredded cheese, seasoning mixture, diced butter, and thyme leaves over the layer of turnips.
  6. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process twice more with the remaining turnips, cream, cheese, seasoning, butter, and thyme, finishing with the final third of shredded cheese on top.
  7. Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes to cook the turnips through and melt the cheese.
  8. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes to allow the cream to absorb and the top to begin browning.
  9. Optional Broil: If the top is not golden brown enough, place the gratin under the broiler for 1-2 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning.
  10. Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the gratin rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and flavors to develop fully.

Notes

  • Use medium to smaller turnips for optimal cooking and flavor.
  • Slice turnips uniformly thin (1/8 inch) for even cooking and texture.
  • Watch carefully if broiling; the cheese browns very quickly and can burn easily.
  • This dish pairs well with roasted or grilled meats as a low-carb side.
  • For a deeper flavor, fresh thyme is preferred over dried.
  • Allowing the gratin to rest helps it firm up and improves slicing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, French

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/turnips-au-gratin-recipe/