This easy roasted swede (rutabaga) with smoked paprika and cumin is a delicious root vegetable side dish, perfect for Sunday roasts, and much more too!
If you love root vegetables you might also like to try this easy carrot and swede mash!
A great seasonal addition to any roast dinner or main course, this easy roast swede recipe is a winner all around!
Traditionally, swede is served mashed, but upon roasting, the delicately spiced diced swede becomes tender on the inside with a lovely crispy flavoursome exterior.
👩🍳 Love roasted vegetables? Try my easy roast courgettes during the summer months!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Easy root vegetable side dish.
- Perfect for Sunday roast.
- Healthy and nutrient rich.
- Only 6 ingredients.
- Frugal and buget friendly vegetable.
- Vary the seasonings.
🛒 Ingredient notes
- Swede - one large whole swede, peeled and diced. Did you know swedes are different to turnips and have a yellowy base and purple top? You can find them in all major supermarkets or at your local farmers markets.
- Olive Oil - use a light olive oil or vegetable oil for roasting.
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Salt
- Pepper
💡 Pro Tip- I love using robust seasonings with swede, but for something a little more paired back, try freshly grated nutmeg, which really complements the sweet flavour of the swede.
🔪 How to roast swede
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Peel the swede with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife and chop into 2cm dice.
Two: Place the diced swede on a baking tray, drizzle over the oil and sprinkle over the seasoning.
Three: Mix the seasoning in thoroughly with a spoon (or your hands) and place the baking tray in a preheated oven (200c). Bake for 20 minutes.
Four: Take the baking tray out of the oven and give the swede a good shake, before returning to the oven for a further 10-15 minutes, until golden and tender (test with a sharp knife).
💭 Expert tips
- Use a baking tray that is big enough to accommodate the cubed swede in a single layer. This will ensure it cooks evenly and the edges crisp up. It's better to use two shallow roasting tins rather than use a tin that is too small.
- Cut all pieces the same size (it doesn't have to be measured with a ruler though!) so they finish roasting evenly at the same time.
- If you want larger chunks of swede, increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes (and vice versa for smaller cubes).
🍴 Serving suggestions
The roasted swede is a delicious root vegetable side dish for roast chicken or roast beef.
I also serve it with creme fraiche chicken as a lower carb alternative to roast potatoes and scatter it over beetroot and goats cheese salad.
📖 Variations
Vary the flavour combinations! Here are a few to try;
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for honey roasted swede.
- Sprinkle with chilli powder and cayenne.
- Try curry powder or garam masala for an indian inspired dish.
- Use up half used packets of different spice blends in your cupboard!
- Sprinkle over grated Parmesan cheese at the end of roasting.
- Stir in freshly chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary or basil before roasting.
- Cut the swede into chips instead and make roasted swede chips (rutabaga fries).
🥡 Storage
To Store: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer. You could also use a microwave but the swede will become quite soft if you use this method.
To Freeze: Due to the high water content of swede, it is not suitable for home freezing.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Swede can be eaten raw if it is fresh and young. It's best to shred it into fine pieces and use it in salads and coleslaw.
Peel with a potato peeler or sharp knife then cut into small chunks.
Although swedes and turnips do come from the same family, they are not the same vegetable. Swede's are generally bigger, tougher skinned, with yellow-flesh. Turnips are smaller, with smoother skin and white flesh.”
😋 More easy veggie side dishes
- Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Cheesy Leeks
- Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
- Slow Cooker Red Cabbage
- Cauliflower and Broccoli Cheese
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Recipe
Easy Roasted Swede (Rutabaga)
Equipment
- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Baking Sheets
Ingredients
- 1 Swede
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°c (180fan/ Gas 6)
- Peel the swede with a vegetable peeler or sharp knife and chop into 2cm dice.1 Swede
- Place the diced swede on a baking tray, drizzle over the oil and sprinkle over the seasoning.2 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Cumin, ¼ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Mix the seasoning in thoroughly with a spoon (or your hands). Bake for 20 minutes.
- Take the baking tray out of the oven and give it a good shake, before returning the swede to the oven for a further 10-15 minutes, until golden and tender (test with a sharp knife).
Notes
- Use a baking tray that is big enough to accommodate the cubed swede in a single layer. This will ensure it cooks evenly and the edges crisp up. It's better to use two shallow roasting tins rather than use a tin that is too small.
- Cut all pieces the same size (it doesn't have to be measured with a ruler though!) so they finish roasting evenly at the same time.
- If you want larger chunks of swede, increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes (and vice versa for smaller cubes)
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for honey-roasted swede.
- Sprinkle with chilli powder and cayenne.
- Try curry powder or garam masala for an Indian inspired dish.
- Use up half-used packets of different spice blends in your cupboard!
- Sprinkle over grated Parmesan cheese at the end of roasting.
- Stir in freshly chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary or basil before roasting.
- Cut the swede into chips instead and make roasted swede chips (rutabaga fries)
Claudia Lamascolo
This roast swede was delicious. Easy instructions too!
Jyoti Behrani
These turned out amazing! Easy to make and an excellent side dish. Thanks for sharing!
Toni
My family loved it! Such an amazing side dish!!
Gloria
I love roasted veggies. Rutabaga is always in my stews. Now I will enjoy it this way too. A great alternative to mashed.
Louise
Swede is such an underrated veggie!! I usually make soup with mine, so it was yummy to try out a different recipe.
Lynne
Made this for the first time the other day and it was amazing! So easy to fit into the schedule for a roast dinner and some real flavour. Will never boil swede again