Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
Vegetable Plants & Seedlings
Browse Plants
All-Purpose Compost & Soil Improvers
View Compost
Plant Feed & Fertiliser for Strong Growth
Shop Fertiliser
🎄🤍⏱️ How Long Turnips Take to Cook on Christmas Day
🎅 Introduction: Get Your Timing Right on the Big Day
Turnips are a fantastic Christmas vegetable — mild, sweet, and perfect alongside turkey, beef, or gammon.
But they can cook faster or slower depending on the method you choose.
Getting the timing right ensures they come out soft, flavourful, and ready to serve with the rest of your Christmas dinner.
Here’s a simple guide to every cooking method and how long turnips take on Christmas Day.
Below
⭐ Check Out Our Recommended Products
• Large Steamer Basket
Ensures even cooking and keeps turnips flavourful.
Click here to see them
• Heavy-Duty Saucepan
Perfect for boiling large batches.
Click here to see them
• Quality Roasting Tray
Ideal for golden, caramelised roasted turnips.
Click here to see them
🤍⏱️ 1. Boiling Turnips — 20–25 Minutes
Boiling is the fastest and most traditional Christmas method.
✔ Method
- Peel and cube turnips into 2–3cm pieces.
- Add to salted cold water.
- Bring to the boil.
- Cook for 20–25 minutes until tender.
⭐ Best for:
- turnip mash
- serving with butter
- mixed root veg mash
🌫️⏱️ 2. Steaming Turnips — 25–30 Minutes
Steaming keeps more flavour and prevents waterlogging.
✔ Method
- Add turnips to a steamer basket.
- Steam for 25–30 minutes.
- Check softness with a fork.
⭐ Best for:
- lighter texture
- avoiding watery mash
- keeping nutrients
🔥⏱️ 3. Roasting Turnips — 35–45 Minutes
Roasting gives turnips a sweet, caramelised, festive flavour.
✔ Method
- Toss cubes in oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Roast at 200°C (fan 180°C).
- Cook 35–45 minutes, shaking halfway.
⭐ Best for:
- crispy edges
- mixed roast trays
- Christmas platters
🍯⏱️ 4. Glazed Baby Turnips — 10–15 Minutes
Baby turnips cook incredibly fast.
✔ Method
- Boil or steam whole/halved turnips for 10–12 minutes.
- Toss in butter + honey or maple for 2–3 minutes to glaze.
⭐ Best for:
- sweet festive sides
- elegant dinner plates
🔥🍟 5. Air Fryer Turnips — 18–22 Minutes
Turnips soften beautifully in the air fryer.
✔ Method
- Cube turnips and toss with oil + seasoning.
- Air fry at 190°C.
- Cook 18–22 minutes, shaking halfway.
⭐ Best for:
- quick Christmas sides
- crisp edges
- small gatherings
🥄⏱️ 6. Turnip Mash — Overall Time 35–50 Minutes
Just like swede mash but faster to cook.
✔ Steps
- Boil turnips: 20–25 minutes
- Drain and dry: 2 minutes
- Mash with butter, salt, pepper: 5–8 minutes
⭐ Best for:
- turkey dinners
- lighter alternative to potatoes
- pairing with swede mash
🧊⏱️ 7. Frozen Turnips — Add 5–10 Minutes
If cooking from frozen:
✔ Boiling: 25–30 minutes
✔ Roasting: 45–55 minutes
✔ Air frying: 22–28 minutes
🔧💡 8. How to Tell When Turnips Are Done
✔ A fork should slide in easily
✔ The centre should be soft, not hard
✔ Roasted turnips should be golden at the edges
✔ Mash should be smooth with no firm chunks
🎄⏱️ 9. Timing Tips for Christmas Day
✔ Prep turnips the day before to save time
✔ Start boiling or steaming 20–30 minutes before serving
✔ Roast turnips can go in with parsnips at the same time
✔ Mash can be reheated easily — ideal for early prep
✔ Air fryer turnips are ideal if the oven is full
🌟 FAQs
Do turnips cook faster than swede?
Yes — turnips take 20–25 minutes; swede takes 30–40 minutes.
Why are my turnips still hard?
Pieces were too large or undercooked — cut to 2–3cm and cook longer.
Can I part-boil turnips earlier in the day?
Yes — parboil for 10 minutes, then finish later.
Do turnips get mushy if overcooked?
Yes, especially when boiled for too long.
What’s the quickest way to cook turnips?
Air fryer: 18–22 minutes.
Say next when you’re ready for the next article.