An easy low carb alternative to mashed potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner, these mashed carrots and turnips are a little bit sweet and oh so tasty!
Thanksgiving dinner, or any turkey dinner for that matter, is one of those things that everyone has their traditional side dishes for. Now I’m not one to have a problem with changing things up to try something different – in fact there was almost a revolt one year when I decided to try a different stuffing recipe rather then making the one we have every year. I’m not even joking – I still haven’t heard the end of that. And the new recipe was really good too, although clearly I will never get to have it again. Apparently changing up the traditional dishes at Thanksgiving is akin to sacrilege. Who knew?
So this one is traditional. I mean, not for me. I never had this dish at all growing up, had never even heard of mashed carrots and turnips. But for my husband, this dish was always a part of their turkey dinners. Turkey dinner without it just wasn’t the same. The first time I had it with his family, I’ll admit – I wasn’t a fan. It seemed a little weird to mash carrots up. Why? There’s mashed potatoes, why waste space?
But I’m getting older now, and liking new things, and I quite enjoyed this when I made it for the first time this year. And the kids ate it too. Even the 4 year old that doesn’t eat vegetables. For some reason, mashing up those veggies makes them a-okay with him. Fine with me.
Makes for a happy husband too – I might even make one of his favourite side dishes to go with turkey dinner now! Add to the traditional meal at our house. Because I think it’s okay to change things up. If you are looking for a new side dish to try this Thanksgiving (or Christmas for my fellow Canadians that have already celebrated!), I would highly recommend this one. Plus, it’s a great alternative to mashed potatoes if you are looking for lower carb options this year.
Now what other new side dishes can I add to the menu to shake things up – and maybe have another revolt on my hands?!
Tips for perfect Mashed Carrots and Turnips:
- make sure the carrots and turnips are really tender (a fork should go into them very easily) before draining and mashing them (I like this style of potato masher) or they won’t be as smooth
- you don’t need to whip with an electric mixer, but they will be smoother and fluffier if you do have one
- you can make these ahead of time and reheat in the oven – just cover the dish in foil and reheat at 350F for about 20 minutes or until heated through
- here are some other great side dishes for you: Greek Salad, Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Roasted Asparagus
I’ve also shared this mashed carrots and turnips recipe over on Food Fanatic.
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OMG THANK YOU!!! My mother in law has been making this every year for Thanksgiving since I met her 30yrs ago but she just puts little of this and that.. I’ve tried to make it but could never replicate it cuz I wasn’t sure exactly how much of each to put in. This came out exactly like I wanted. I am Thrilled to now have this recipe so I can make it for my kids on Thanksgiving! Thank You Thank You Thank You!
Thank you for this comment – just made my day! I’m so glad you liked it!
Has anyone tried to freeze this
I haven’t actually tried to freeze it, but have reheated it from the fridge and it’s been fine. I would think it would freeze and reheat but haven’t tried it myself so I can’t be positive if the texture would change…
Hi Danielle – this was my mother-in-laws recipe so I asked her if she thinks it would freeze well – she hasn’t tried, but thought it would likely be quite runny after thawing if you freeze it. Hope that helps!
These have been a staple in our family for over 50 years!
I make a big batch every time, let them cool down, and freeze serving size portions and I actually microwave them and add a little more butter and they are perfect! Just like I made them fresh!
I use freezer bags in the quart size, put about a cup and a half in the bag, lay the bag flat to get any air out as the carrots/turnip mash works it’s way to the ziplock. I date them and freeze them stacked flat.
Am I just crazy or does any body else NOT see an actual recipe on this page!?
Would love to know how you make it!
Hi Sherry – sorry about that – Food Fanatic made some changes to their site recently which messed up my recipe card on those recipes I’ve shared with them. Thanks for letting me know, it’s fixed now and you should be able to see the recipe again.
Two years later And the recipe isn’t there. ☹️
Hi Joan – I’ve looked at this post on three different devices, in private windows, and in two different browsers and the recipe shows up just fine for me. I’m not sure why you aren’t seeing it, but if for some reason you aren’t, you could also click on the link to Food Fanatic that is in the post which brings you to the same recipe that I’ve shared over there. But I can see the recipe just fine. It was only down for a brief time in 2017 when some code changed but that was fixed very quickly.
I’d gobble that up as a side dish ANY dinner during fall and winter!
I want to celebrate Thanksgiving all over again! Except for the part where I don’t want to cook the turkey, ha ha! These look perfect as a holiday side dish 🙂
Haha, I think that every year as American Thanksgiving comes! Thanksgiving is just the best meal – although I kind of like cooking the turkey – turkey leftovers are the best. 🙂 Thanks Denise!
I agree with you! That’s the best part about cooking the turkey!! The leftovers, Turkey casseroles, sandwiches and soup.
The leftovers are totally the best part – although the actual turkey dinner is pretty fantastic too! Now I want to make a turkey this weekend! 🙂
I like the idea of mashed carrots and the turnips are a delicious addition! What a great twist on Thanksgiving side dishes!
Such a great idea. I need to make this one soon. I love carrots so this is right up my alley!
I love carrots but have never thought to mash them up. This has to happen now!
I love mashed carrot and turnip, we ate it all the time back home in Scotland 🙂
We always had turnips as a side dish for our Christmas dinners growing up, so this fits nicely with my family traditions! I love how they’re mashed together with carrots here, I’m huge lover of all things mashed! I’ll definitely need to try this recipe.
Turnips are so underrated. I love the sound of this recipe!
Saw this recipe for the first time this morning, and too funny, last night I made this and added mashed potatoes also…Yummy
Haha, funny when that happens! I do that all the time where I’ll make something and then see it somewhere the next day! 🙂