Nutrition Facts for Turnips and Turnip Green Tops - Health Benefits, Uses

Turnips are a somewhat old-fashioned root vegetable widely available in America, Europe, Australasia, Asia and South-American countries.

A close look at the nutritional data shows that turnips deserve to be used more often, especially the tops, which are often simply thrown away or removed from the bulbs before sale.

The turnip roots or bulbs, are like potatoes in appearance, but they have an appealing, slightly bitter taste, that blends perfectly with white meats such as pork and poultry.

The smaller younger turnips are sweeter and are ideal for shredding and adding to salads and stir fries. The turnip tops, greens and sprouts are edible and are much more nutritious than the root bulbs.

This article provides nutrient charts for Turnip bulbs and tops compared with similar root vegetables: Beets, Parsnips, Potato, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato.

It also provides a comparison of the nutrients in Turnip greens with Beet greens.

Roasted Japanese style whole turnips with their green tops fried in balsamic vinegar
Roasted Japanese style whole turnips with their green tops fried in balsamic vinegar. Source: Public Domain

Turnips Nutrition Facts Compared with Other Similar Root Vegetables

Turnips (Brassica rapa), are a nutritious root vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, which also includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and many of the common vegetables we eat. The roots have been grown and eaten as a staple food since the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Although mostly grown for the starchy bulbous root, the much neglected fresh greens tops are very nutritious as well, especially for minerals, vitamins, minerals and many antioxidants.

The smaller bulbs are more versatile in their use and can be eaten raw in salads, or they can be added to soups, pasta sauce dishes and many other prepared foods.

The table below highlights the nutritional benefits of turnip tops compared with the turnip bulbs.

Comparison of Key Nutrients in Turnips and Turnip Greens

Key Nutrients in Turnip Bulbs and Green Turnip Tops
Turnip greens/100 g
Turnips/100 g
Calories
32
28
Vitamin C
60 mg
21 mg
Vitamin A
11587 IU
0 mg
Vitamin K
251µg
0.1µg
Calcium
190 mg
30 mg
Iron
1.10 mg
0.3 mg
Manganese
0.47 mg
0.13 mg
Carotene-ß
6952 µg
0 µg

Pros and Cons for Turnips as a Nutritious Root Vegetable

The table below provides details of the nutrients in 100 g of raw Turnip bulbs and Turnip Tops compared with other root vegetables.

The key points are:

Health Benefits of Turnips and Turnip Tops

Turnips have very low calories, but they are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and especially dietary fiber. This makes them a healthier alternative to potatoes and pumpkin.

Fresh Turnip bulbs roots are one of the richest sources of vitamin C in any root vegetable. Turnips provide about 21 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, which is about 35% of the recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin-C is renowned as a powerful anti-oxidant that supports the immune system and many processes in a healthy body.

Vitamin C also helps scavenge harmful free radicals in the tissues and reduces inflammation.

Turnip tops and greens are a real Superfood being packed with Vitamins, Minerals and antioxidants. They are rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, carotenoid, xanthin and lutein.

The B group vitamins missing from the bulbs, are found in abundance in the tops, including folates, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin.

Beet tops are slightly better for many nutrients than turnip tops, but both are excellent sources of nutrients.

Fresh Turnip top greens are rich in many essential minerals such as copper, calcium, iron and manganese.

Choosing Fresh Turnips, Storage and Culinary Uses

Turnip Preparation, Cooking and Serving Tips

Clean and wash the Turnip bulbs in cold running water, and brush to remove any remnant soil or vegetable matter.

Cut off the bottom and top of the bulb.

Try not to peel the Turnips unless absolutely necessary, as many of the nutrients are close to the skin.

Peeling older turnips is necessary as the outer parts are tough and woody.

Tips for Cooking and Serving Turnips

Nutrients in Turnips Compared with Other Vegetables

Nutrients in 100g serve
Turnips
Beets
Parsnips
Potato
Pumpkin
Sweet potato
Turnip greens
Beet greens
Calories (Cal)
43
63
226
52
45
66
8
55
Protein (g)
1.37
2.35
3.61
1.40
1.72
1.21
0.34
5.82
Total Fat (g)
0.17
0.26
0.90
0.07
0.17
0.04
0.07
0.34
Total Carbs (g)
9.89
14.06
54.08
11.88
11.21
15.48
1.63
11.42
Dietary Fiber (g)
2.85
4.10
14.47
1.24
0.90
2.31
0.75
9.68
Sugar (g)
5.85
9.94
14.47
0.66
2.34
0.00
0.19
1.32
Vitamins
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vitamin C (mg)
32.43
7.13
51.55
5.39
15.47
1.83
13.74
78.95
Thiamin (mg)
0.08
0.04
0.27
0.03
0.09
0.06
0.02
0.29
Riboflavin (mg)
0.05
0.06
0.18
0.03
0.17
0.05
0.03
0.55
Niacin (mg)
0.62
0.50
2.08
0.79
1.03
0.42
0.14
1.03
Pantothenic Acid (mg)
0.31
0.24
1.80
0.21
0.50
0.62
0.09
0.68
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.14
0.10
0.27
0.17
0.12
0.16
0.06
0.29
Folate (mcg)
23.66
160.03
199.01
15.59
26.76
8.28
44.54
41.55
Vitamin B12 (mcg)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
Vitamin A (IU)
0
47
0
6
12731
10913
2653
16647
Vitamin E (mg)
0.05
0.06
4.51
0.02
1.81
0.20
0.65
3.95
Vitamin K (mcg)
0.23
0.22
67.85
1.13
1.78
1.36
57.48
1052.63
Minerals
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.00
0.00
Calcium (mg)
47.34
23.79
108.54
8.44
35.67
23.08
43.29
304.71
Iron (mg)
0.48
1.16
1.80
0.61
1.36
0.47
0.25
6.79
Magnesium (mg)
16.57
34.60
90.47
15.59
20.81
18.94
7.08
186.97
Phosphorus (mg)
42.60
58.40
217.08
39.29
77.29
36.09
9.57
110.82
Potassium (mg)
293
478
1131
301
586
259
68
2008
Sodium (mg)
104
115
27
6
3
43
9
596
Zinc (mg)
0.43
0.51
1.80
0.20
0.57
0.23
0.04
0.97
Copper (mg)
0.14
0.10
0.36
0.07
0.21
0.12
0.08
0.47
Manganese (mg)
0.22
0.47
1.71
0.12
0.21
0.20
0.11
1.03
Selenium (mcg)
1.18
1.09
5.41
0.22
0.59
0.48
0.29
2.08
Fatty Acids
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Saturated Fat (g)
0.03
0.04
0.18
0.02
0.09
0.02
0.02
0.08
Monounsat. Fat (g)
0.00
0.04
0.36
0.01
0.03
0.00
0.01
0.08
Polyunsat. Fat (g)
0.08
0.09
0.18
0.03
0.00
0.02
0.03
0.13




Choose bright small turnips with fresh green tops
Choose bright small turnips with fresh green tops. Source: Public Domain
Turnips come in many varieties. The green tops are very nutritious and are under utilised
Turnips come in many varieties. The green tops are very nutritious and are under utilised. Source: Public Domain
Turnips go well with carrots, onions, potatoes in stews, soups and curries
Turnips go well with carrots, onions, potatoes in stews, soups and curries. Source: Public Domain
Half tiny turnips are used in many Asian Stir fry dishes
Half tiny turnips are used in many Asian Stir fry dishes. Source: Public Domain
Turnip top potato and feta frittata - see more recipes here.
Turnip top potato and feta frittata - see more recipes here. Source: Public Domain
Turnip soup with turnip tops
Turnip soup with turnip tops. Source: Public Domain
Stir-fried turnip tops with pine nuts and capsicum slices - see the other recipes here
Stir-fried turnip tops with pine nuts and capsicum slices - see the other recipes here. Source: Public Domain
Chinese Brisket and Turnip Stew Recipe - see more recipes here.
Chinese Brisket and Turnip Stew Recipe - see more recipes here. Source: Public Domain