30 parsnip recipes

Want expert advice for growing your own crop? Learn how to grow your own parsnips from our friends at Gardeners’ World.

Try more sensational side dishes with our easy swede recipes and our best carrot recipes. Also, check out our best Christmas dinner sides for sprouts, red cabbage, stuffing and plenty more.

When are parsnips in season

In season from September to March, they’re at their best in the cooler months.

Why we love parsnips

These sweet roots are a member of the carrot family. They are delicious roasted and served with a Sunday dinner, whizzed into a silky smooth soup or simmered in a slow braise. Their sweetness and robust texture make them great additions to vegetarian mains, too.

Health benefits of parsnips

Parsnips are incredibly rich in fibre, making them a good gut-healthy addition to your diet. This high-fibre content means they help keep you feeling fuller for longer. They contain protective antioxidants and can be a useful source of vitamin C, which is well-known for it's immune-supportive benefits.

Easy parsnip recipes

Honey roasted parsnips

Bring an extra serving of veg to your Christmas dinner with crispy, golden, honey roasted parsnips.

Have a look at our glorious Christmas trimmings recipes.

Sausage, pear & parsnip traybake

Serve these delicious roast sausages with parsnip, pear and red onion. Ready in under an hour, pair with your favourite potatoes and steamed veg.

We've got lots more traybake recipes.

Carrot & parsnip dhal

Show your leftover roast veg some love and use them to top a nourishing bowl of spiced tarka dhal. This makes an easy vegan dinner for four.

See all our best vegetarian recipes.

Roast carrots & parsnips

A simple side for a roast dinner, these roasted carrots and parsnips are quick to prepare before cooking and will elevate any dish you serve them with.

See all our carrot recipes.

Parsnip & apple soup

Make the most of parsnip season by mixing with apples in this rich and creamy soup, served with crusty bread for a warming lunch or starter.

Serve up potato soup and more winter soup recipes.

Beef & ale stew with parsnips

This hearty stew pairs beef shin with parsnips and ale. Serve with creamy mash on the side for a warming winter dinner.

Check out our beef stew with dumplings.

Roast parsnip soup

Serve this comforting parsnip and paprika soup with sobrasada, a spreadable chorizo-like sausage from Spain.

Read more about sobrasada and where to buy it.

Parsnip curry

Sweet and earthy parsnips work brilliantly in this nourishing curry, served with basmati rice to make an easy vegan dinner.

See all our wonderful ways with Christmas leftovers.

Spicy parsnip soup

A velvety, root veg soup is ideal for a chilly evening when you want something quick, easy and filling. This parsnip number is spiced with garam masala and paprika.

If you like this, you'll love all our winter soups.

Whisky & maple-roasted parsnips

Take your parsnips up a notch with a boozy hit of whisky and the sweetness of maple syrup. These are the perfect accompaniment to roast meats.

Browse all our brilliant Christmas sides.

Creamy parsnip purée

This luxurious purée makes a silky smooth side for your Christmas dinner. You need to add potatoes to this dish for it to emulsify into a smooth purée, but it still has a strong parsnip flavour.

Next, try celeriac purée.

Carrot & parsnip soup

Whizzing the cream in at the end makes this a super-creamy soup. Enjoy it with a swirl of double cream and a hunk of buttered bread.

Enjoy our mulligatawny soup and more warming soup recipes.

Spiced shepherd's pie with parsnip mash

Make a healthier version of a family favourite. Here, shepherd's pie is made with lamb's mince, which is topped with a creamy parsnip mash. A good weekend comfort food dish.

Or try a veggie version.

Parsnip, sage & apple wellington

Our best vegan wellington recipe, stuffed with fried parsnips, mushrooms, lentils, crispy sage and sweet apple. It's the perfect Christmas Day centrepiece.

Be inspired by our best vegan dinner party ideas.

Salt-dough parsnips with sage butter

This simple salt-baked parsnip recipe is an impressive side dish for any occasion. With a crunchy crust and juicy centre, it very much becomes the main event of any meal.

You can also try salt-baked beetroot.

Parsnip & potato rösti

A twist on the classic potato rösti to use up leftover parsnips from the festive season. Serve this rösti alongside a roast or top with a poached egg for brunch.

Next up, enjoy parmentier potatoes.

Parsnip crisps

These are a healthy, homemade alternative to crisps – keep an eye on them in the oven, as they darken quite quickly.

Now try our kale crisps.

Carrot, parsnip & horseradish gratins

These root veg gratins make a great side dish alongside beef or lamb. Use fresh horseradish if possible, as it has a fresher flavour than bottled.

Next, try our indulgent brussels sprouts gratin.

Ghee-roasted spiced roots

These roasted roots make for a great gluten-free dinner party side. Ghee can be used in place of butter or oil in any recipe. It has a high smoke point, which means it can be used for roasting, frying or even deep-fat frying. This is an indulgent dish sure to wow at festive dinner parties.

Read our guide on what is ghee and where to buy it.

Parsnip & maple syrup cake

You've had carrot cake, and now it's time for parsnip cake. This impressive bake is super moist, delicious and easy to make.

If you like this, you'll love our veggie cake recipes.

Parsnip ribbon & hazelnut salad with honey dressing

A simple veggie main course salad of parsnip ribbons with hazelnuts, apple and rocket in a honey dressing. Perfect for a tasty wintertime lunch or side dish.

Keep it classic with our waldorf salad recipe.

Gochujang roasted root veg

Toss parsnips in a dressing of gochujang, sesame, soy and lime juice before being roasting until tender and golden – delicious.

See our favourite recipes using gochujang.

Salt & pepper roast parsnips

Add a hot, peppery side to your Christmas dinner with this easy dish. Salt and pepper enhance the natural sweetness of the parsnips.

See more gluten-free Christmas recipes like this.

Roasted roots with umami dressing

Add some extra flavour to your Christmas dinner side dish with the deep, savoury taste of umami.

Or serve up candied root veg.

Roast parsnips with black seed honey

Pep-up this classic Christmas Day side dish by adding a nigella seed, black pepper and urfa chilli honey drizzle. This recipe comes from east London's Bubala restaurant.

Check out our sweet honey recipes.

Kale with parsnips & cream

Cooked with cream and nutmeg, the combination of vitamin-rich kale and parsnip in this recipe makes for an indulgent vegetarian side.

Get your greens with our delicious kale recipes.

Parmesan-baked parsnips

This is a unique way of cooking parsnips. Thin parsnip fries are tossed in parmesan, polenta, English mustard powder and salt, and fried until crisp. A delicious side for any meal, but a must-have for your Christmas dinner spread.

Use up the rest of a bag of polenta with our top recipes.

Pork chops with maple parsnips

The best quick meal for two: just five ingredients is all you need. Pork chops, parsnips, maple syrup, mustard powder and olive oil – and on the table for a midweek meal in just 30 minutes.

Take your pick from our other pork chop recipes.

Parsnip chips with salsa verde

These parsnip fries with salsa verde are easy to make and work well as both a snack or side dish using the classic Christmas root vegetable.

Browse all our Italian recipes.

Pot-roast guinea fowl with parsnip rosti

This recipe for pot-roast guinea fowl with parsnip rosti is a great idea for when you want the comfort of a roast but there's only two of you. Go for evenly-sized, not too large parsnips for a consistent texture.

For more like this, see our more guinea fowl recipes.