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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

    Mashed Parsnips Recipe

    Published: February 5, 2020 Updated: February 5, 2020 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 26 Comments

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    Mashed parsnips in a white dish garnished with chives, pistachios and melted butter.

    With just 6 ingredients and less than 30 minutes you could be enjoying this savoury mashed parsnips recipe! Made with cream, butter, and chives it makes for a delicious root vegetable side dish. Topped with chopped pistachios, what’s not to love?

    Mashed parsnips in a white dish garnished with chives, pistachios and melted butter.

    If you’re looking to mix things up in the vegetable side dish department, you’ve come to the right place!

    These mashed parsnips are a wonderful alternative to potatoes!

    Growing up in rural Newfoundland, root veggies (including parsnips) were a regular part of my diet.

    They’d be included with every Sunday supper, usually in “Jiggs Dinner” (boiled veg with salt meat).

    These days, I leave the Jiggs Dinner to my mom (so good) and usually simply roast or mash veggies when I’m preparing myself.

    If you are a parsnip fan, great (and you’ll probably enjoy this parsnip apple soup!

    If not, maybe this isn’t for you.

    Or maybe you will be when you taste this delicious parsnip mash!

    Unpeeled, uncooked parsnips on a wooden board.

    How To Cook Parsnips and Make the Mash

    Cooking parsnips is easy. Basically, they’re prepared much like you would prepare regular mash.

    Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

    1. Clean parsnips and peel them, then cut into chunks.
    2. Place the parsnip chunks into a large pot of water, bring to boil and cook until they’re tender.
    3. Drain the parsnip.
    4. Place cooked parsnip chunks into a bowl and mash.
    5. Add melted butter, cream, chives and salt and mash again.
    6. Transfer the parsnip mash to a serving dish, garnish and serve!
    Collage of steps to make parsnip mash.

    How Do Mashed Parsnips Compare to Mashed Potatoes?

    Of course, parsnip mash is going to taste totally different than mashed potatoes.

    However, if you are a fan of parsnips, you will love this root vegetable side dish!

    Texture-wise, it’s a lot rougher than mashed potatoes, but it’s a great alternative if you’re trying to mix things up!

    Mashed parsnips in a white dish with a serving spoon dunked into the mash.

    Recipe Variations

    • Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream to cut back on fat and calories.
    • Don’t have pistachios or prefer not to use? Try chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds instead.
    • Instead of chives, you can use thinly sliced green onion.
    Close-up of mashed parsnips in a white dish garnished with chives, pistachios and melted butter.

    More Delicious Root Vegetable Recipes

    • Roasted Root Vegetables
    • Celery Root Soup
    • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Brown Mashed Turnip with Roasted Garlic

    If you make this parsnip mash, be sure to leave a comment below!

    Mashed parsnips in a white dish with a serving spoon dunked into the mash.

    Mashed Parsnips Recipe

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    With just 6 ingredients and less than 30 minutes you could be enjoying this savoury mashed parsnips recipe! Made with cream, butter, and chives it makes for a delicious root vegetable side dish. Topped with chopped pistachios, what's not to love?
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Servings 4 servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 pounds parsnips
    • ¼ cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus more to taste for optional garnish
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives, plus more to taste for optional garnish
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon roughly chopped pistachios

    Instructions

    • Clean, peel, and cut parsnips into 2-inch chunks.
    • Place parsnips into a large pot and cover with cold water (there should be an inch or two of water above the parsnips, basically ensuring that it is fully submerged and covered by the water). Bring to a boil (reduce the heat, if necessary, while still maintaining a boil) and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
    • Meanwhile, combine heavy cream with butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat just to heat through.
    • Place parsnips back into a pot or bowl and mash.
      Note: Mashed parsnips have a rougher consistency than potatoes. If you want to rice them instead, you can.
    • Pour over warmed cream/butter mixture and mix in chives and salt.
    • Transfer to a serving dish and top with crushed pistachios, more chives and a drizzle of melted butter (if desired). Serve and enjoy!

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword alternative to potatoes, easy side dish, root vegetable side

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Fries, Dressing and Gravy
    • Cheese Lovers Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
    • Homemade Gravy (Without Drippings)
    • Newfoundland Dressing

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      February 08, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      What is not to love is right, they sound great!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:51 pm

        Thanks Karen!

        Reply
    2. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes

      February 08, 2020 at 3:37 am

      What a delicious idea for a side dish, Dawn! I am a huge parsnip fan, and always happy to include it in more recipes.
      Love this!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:50 pm

        So happy to hear that! Thanks Alexandra 🙂

        Reply
    3. Valentina

      February 07, 2020 at 10:31 pm

      5 stars
      I’m all over this, Dawn. LOVE it. So cool you grew up with parsnips being a regular part of your diet. I think they deserve a whole lotta love. Delicious mash! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:50 pm

        Woo hoo! Thank you Valentina!! I do too 😉

        Reply
    4. Kevin

      February 07, 2020 at 3:51 pm

      5 stars
      Parsnips were not a commonly used vegetable for meals back in the day, but they sure are making a turn around these days and can be so versatile.

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:50 pm

        We grew up on ’em, but they were usually boiled. They’re delicious all around, if you ask me 🙂

        Reply
    5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

      February 07, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      Ok. I’m gonna come clean. I’ve never tried a parsnip Dawn! Can you believe it? But this looks too good. I’ve got to give this recipe a try. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:49 pm

        Lol…nope!! Hope you start with these. 😉 Thanks Mary Ann!

        Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      February 06, 2020 at 5:49 pm

      5 stars
      I’m definitely a parsnip lover, Dawn! They always turn out so soft and delicious. We would love to try this as a side sometime! A nice change up from the usual mashed potatoes. Maybe my kids would even eat them, HA! Happy almost weekend my friend! XO

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:48 pm

        Yay! Thanks Katherine. 🙂 XO

        Reply
    7. Leanne

      February 06, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      I love parsnip! I usually roast it or add it too soup but I’ve never made a mash! Such a great alternative for when you’re sick of mashed potatoes. Can’t wait to give if a try. And love the addition of pistachios!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:48 pm

        Totally! Hope you enjoy, Leanne! Thanks!

        Reply
    8. David @ Spiced

      February 06, 2020 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      You know, parsnips were never on regular rotation in my house growing up. And they’re still not on regular rotation. We’ve used them when making roast beef, but I’ve never had ’em in mashed form. These sound (and look) delicious, Dawn! And the garnish with the chopped pistachios? Nailed it! This looks like something I’d see at a nice restaurant!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm

        Thank you so much, David! Such a sweet comment!

        Reply
    9. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

      February 05, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      I love that you included pistachios here! This sounds so good, and it’s such a great way to switch up regular mashed potatoes as a side dish! And now I’m craving parsnips, haha!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm

        Totally! Thanks Kelsie!

        Reply
    10. Marissa

      February 05, 2020 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      What a great option for a creamy side dish instead of mashed potatoes! Loving how you’re shedding some well deserved light on underappreciated root veggies!

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:46 pm

        Thanks so much, Marissa! Really appreciate the kind words! XO

        Reply
    11. Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl

      February 05, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      These look insanely creamy, Dawn! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a parsnip but now I certainly want to try them! This would be a great side dish for a homemade Valentine’s Day Dinner! YUM! 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:45 pm

        For sure! Thank you Haylie! They’re delish!

        Reply
    12. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

      February 05, 2020 at 11:29 am

      5 stars
      I like parsnips, for sure, so I’m loving this dish! I can just imagine how lovely it is with the pistachios 🙂 A great way to enjoy our roots 🙂

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:44 pm

        Definitely! Thank you Jennifer 🙂

        Reply
    13. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

      February 05, 2020 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I know I’ve had parsnips is soups and stews, but I honestly don’t know what they taste like! I need to give them a try and then give these mashed parsnips a try. This looks so creamy and I love the crunch from the nuts.

      Reply
      • Dawn - Girl Heart Food

        February 10, 2020 at 12:43 pm

        They’re super flavourful, that’s for sure! Hope you enjoy, Kathy 🙂

        Reply

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