Easy Rutabaga Puree with Bacon

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Rutabagas are the star in this creamy side dish. A pinch of sugar balances the vegetable's slightly bitter taste while bacon adds smoky flavor. Serve this easy side dish for Thanksgiving. Read more about this recipe.

By
Jessica B. Harris, Ph.D.
Portrait of Jessica B. Harris with a stack of books
Jessica B. Harris, Ph.D.

Jessica B. Harris, Ph.D. is a culinary historian and the author of 13 books related to the African diaspora, including Vintage Postcards from the African World (University Press of Mississippi), My Soul Looks Back (Scribner) and High on the Hog (Bloomsbury USA). She is the 2020 recipient of the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 19, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
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Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Thanksgiving Rutabaga
Photo: Andrea Mathis
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
6
Nutrition Profile:
Dairy-Free Soy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
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Ingredients

  • 6 strips bacon

  • 1 rutabaga (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

  • 6 cups water, divided

  • 1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

  • ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar

  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Heat a large heavy saucepan or pot over medium heat. Add bacon; cook until it begins to brown and the fat is rendered, about 7 minutes. Add rutabaga and 4 cups water, so that the rutabaga is covered; stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any bacon remnants. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Add potatoes and the remaining 2 cups water; cover and cook until the vegetables are very tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the vegetables and reserve the bacon.

  2. Place the vegetables in a food mill (or blender or food processor) and puree into a bowl. Finely mince the bacon and add to the bowl. Add sugar, salt and pepper; mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve hot.

Equipment

Food mill

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, November 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

140 Calories
3g Fat
24g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 140
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 5g 10%
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Vitamin A 6IU 0%
Sodium 186mg 8%
Potassium 756mg 16%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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