This whipped parsnip with fresh herbs recipe is a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes! A crave worthy seasonal recipe that is perfect for the holidays or as a cozy comfort food side dish. Paleo, gluten free and vegan option!
It’s here! It’s HERE! The start of epic holiday spreads and all the comfort food dinners while we’re tucked inside our homes all cozy and WARM.
I love this season so much for many reasons, but let’s be honest, mostly because of the food 😝
Once November hits it’s game on for comfort food. It’s like this gravitational pull that starts in my kitchen between us and all things warm and delicious and filling.
And Thanksgiving always brings that truth to life in the most real way. The mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, etc etc etc, just steal the comfort food spotlight!
And since it’s been dropping into the 30’s this week in Seattle, we might as well embrace those vibes by relishing in the warmth of our kitchens and eating all of the coziest foods.
STARTING WITH THESE WHIPPED PARSNIPS WITH FRESH HERBS!!
Sooo good, y’all.
This is a recipe that I’ve been somewhat obsessed with for awhiiiiiile.
Just ask my hubby.
As soon as the weather gets cold I bust it out like we are parsnip farmers and have a whole storage cellar packed with enough parsnips to last us the next 6 months.
I’m talking braised short ribs with whipped parsnips, caramelized onion smothered pork chops with whipped parsnips, and homemade bolognese sauce with whipped parsnips.
Picking up on the theme?
They’re yummy enough to be a side dish to just about any every day meal (as I have made it my life long mission prove), but also indulgent enough to grace your thanksgiving or holiday table with style.
How to make whipped parsnips with fresh herbs
First things first you want to peel and cut them into equal sized pieces. Some larger parsnips can have a woody core / interior, so look for small to medium sized ones at the store if you can find them. Since you will be whipping the parsnips in a food processor or blender you don’t have to worry about this too much, but if the center seems especially tough you might want to cut it out before roasting.
Once the parsnips are peeled and cut you will roast them along with some whole garlic cloves in the oven until soft and just baaaarely starting to caramelize. You don’t really want them to get much color or you will have crunchy edges which can be yummy but are not so great for a soft fluffy parsnip whip.
(that’s kind of fun to say – soft fluffy parsnip WHIP! 😜)
Once they’re cooked, all you need to do is add them to your food processor along with a generous bit of ghee (or butter!), some almond milk, a little lemon juice (trust me on this one! It adds just the right lift of flavor of these beauties), and salt and pepper.
Then they get whipped until soft, fluffy and begging to have your fork plowed into them.
The herbs are added last. You can either stir them in with a spoon or add them to the food processor or blender and quickly pulse to incorporate them.
a quick note about using a food processor or blender for these whipped parsnips with fresh herbs
If you roast the parsnips using a food processor is the best way to get the fluffiest result. Parsnips don’t yield in the same way that potatoes or sweet potatoes do, and thus a potato masher or kitchen aid won’t really do the job quite as well.
If you’d like to try this recipe without a food processor or a blender, here’s a few tips for getting the best result:
- Steam your parsnips instead of roasting them – they will be softer and easier to mash.
- Find the smallest, most tender parsnips that you can. Larger parsnips tend to have a more tough, “woody” core.
- If you can’t find super small parsnips, cut out all of the tough / woody centers before cooking them.
- Mash them while they are still very warm.
VOILA! Epic whipped parsnips with fresh herbs that are fluffy and delicious as can be! For your Thanksgiving table and beyond 💯
If you make these and pair them with something yummy in your kitchen I would love to see! Tag me on instagram @nyssas_kitchen so I can feature you!
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Whipped Parsnips with Fresh Herbs
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This whipped parsnip with fresh herbs recipe is a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes! A crave worthy seasonal recipe that is perfect for the holidays or as a cozy comfort food side dish. Paleo, gluten free and vegan option!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 lbs parsnips, cut into 1 inch pieces – about 6 medium sized parsnips
- 5–7 whole garlic cloves – peeled and left whole with the ends trimmed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil, coconut oil, or ghee
- 1/4 cup ghee, olive oil, or butter
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, or another milk of choice + more as needed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs of choice – chives, parsley, or thyme are all excellent choices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- On a large baking sheet toss cut parsnips and garlic cloves with 1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil.
- Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until tender and just barely starting to brown. Don’t let them brown too much or crunchy bits will form and won’t blend well into the parsnips.
- Alternatively, you can steam the parsnips and garlic until tender. This is a great option if your oven is already in use or if you don’t have a food processor or blender. If you plan to mash the parsnips by hand, see the notes in the blog post above.
- While waiting for parsnips to roast add all other ingredients except for the fresh herbs to your food processor or blender – 1/4 cup ghee, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
- Once parsnips are tender, remove them from the oven and add to the food processor with all the other ingredients.
- Process everything together until smooth and fluffy, with no pieces of parsnips remaining. Stop every so often to scrape down the sides if necessary. Add extra almond milk as needed to until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.
- Once seasoned to your liking, add fresh herbs and quickly pulse to incorporate into the whipped parsnips or fold them in with a spoon.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator to reheat later!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Oven roasted
- Cuisine: Comfort food
Mike Hill says
Hi Nyssa, I followed your recipe, except I added some fresh carrots that were all alone in my produce drawer. It was a big hit and a great alternative to mashed potatoes. It will now be a regular in my weekly rotation and introduced to my family during the holidays.
Nyssa Tanner says
Oh yum! Adding fresh carrots sounds delightful. So glad you enjoyed and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
Kevin Hangman says
Where’s the neutrition info?
Nyssa Tanner says
Hi Keven – I’ve just added it. The nutrition cards are slowly being integrated into some of my older posts – but it’s all set now. You’ll find it just below the recipe card. Thanks for reading!
Chanel says
Omg this whipped parsnip recipe is soooo darn good! This was my first time using parsnips in any recipe and I am beyond impressed. Its creamy and luscious! I made them with scallops and my family was thrilled!! Thank you for sharing a great recipe 🙂
Nyssa Tanner says
I’m so happy you loved it!! Whipped parsnips with scallops sounds like an incredible combination. Thanks for making and for your comment!! 🙂