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?
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 opt to 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!
How to Cook Parsnips & Make The Mash
Cooking parsnips is easy. Basically, they’re prepared much like you would prepare regular mash.
- Clean parsnips and peel.
- Cut into chunks.
- Place in a large pot of water and bring to boil. Cook until tender.
- Drain them.
- Place cooked parsnip chunks into a bowl and mash.
- Add melted butter, cream, salt, and chives.
- Give another little mash.
- Transfer the parsnip mash to a serving dish, garnish and enjoy!
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How Do Mashed Parsnips Compare to Mashed Potato?
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!
More Tips & Variations
Opt for 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.
More Delicious Root Vegetable Recipes
Hope you love this parsnip mash as much as we do!
Make this root vegetable side? That’s awesome! Love it if you leave a comment below. Many thanks!
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Mashed Parsnips Recipe (with pistachios)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds parsnips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more for garnish if desired)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives (plus more for garnish if desired)
- 1 tablespoon roughly chopped pistachios (garnish)
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 and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
- Meanwhile, combine 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.
- Upon serving, sprinkle with crushed pistachios, more chives and a drizzle of melted butter (if desired). Enjoy!
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
What is not to love is right, they sound great!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Karen!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
So happy to hear that! Thanks Alexandra 🙂
Valentina
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
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Thank you Valentina!! I do too 😉
Kevin
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.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
We grew up on ’em, but they were usually boiled. They’re delicious all around, if you ask me 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol…nope!! Hope you start with these. 😉 Thanks Mary Ann!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
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
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks Katherine. 🙂 XO
Leanne
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Hope you enjoy, Leanne! Thanks!
David @ Spiced
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, David! Such a sweet comment!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Kelsie!
Marissa
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!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Marissa! Really appreciate the kind words! XO
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
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! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
For sure! Thank you Haylie! They’re delish!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
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 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Definitely! Thank you Jennifer 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
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.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
They’re super flavourful, that’s for sure! Hope you enjoy, Kathy 🙂