Rutabaga is a hybrid of cabbage and turnip and is commonly called yellow turnip because of its yellow flesh. Both are root vegetables and turnip is colloquially called white turnip because its skin and flesh are both white.
Rutabagas are harvested at larger sizes while turnips are often harvested in smaller sized "baby" turnips.
Comparison chart
 | Rutabaga | Turnip |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plantae |
| Class | Angiospermae | Angiospermae |
| Order | Brassicales | Brassicales |
| Family | Brassicaceae | Brassicaceae |
| Genus | Brassica | Brassica |
| Species | B. napobrassica | B. rapa |
| Botanical Name | Brassica napobrassica | Brassica rapa |
| Type | The rutabaga, swede (from Swedish turnip), or yellow turnip is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip. | Root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, bulbous taproot. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed. |
| Uses | Tap root and leaves are used for human consumption. | Tender and small varieties are used for human consumption while large varieties are used as feed for livestock. |
| Origin | Scandinavia or Russia | Well established crop in Roman and Hellenistic times. |
| Preparation | Cooked with potatoes, roasted, mashed with milk and cream, as filler in mincemeat. | Flavor salgam, in pickles, leaves are eaten as turnip greens. |
| Common names | Swede, yellow turnip | White turnip |
Appearance
Rutabaga has yellow flesh. It is a denser root and there are numerous side shoots. The leaves of rutabaga are waxy and smooth and grow from the part that protrudes above the ground. There is a distinct neck or visible crown in rutabagas. The vegetable is harvested at larger sizes.
Turnip has white skin and white flesh. The part that protrudes above the ground is slightly purple or greenish in color. Mostly, the root is conical in shape but occasional tomato shapes are also observed. There are no side roots in turnips. Turnip leaves are commonly eaten as turnip greens and are similar in flavor to mustard greens. Turnips are harvested at smaller sizes and baby turnips are a specialty. These come in yellow, red and orange fleshed varieties and can be eaten raw in salads.
Preparation
Rutabaga is commonly roasted and served with meats, is an important ingredient of the Swede casserole, used as an enhancer in soups and salads, can be baked as well as boiled along with potatoes. Rutabagas can be peeled like potatoes prior to being cooked. Some of the dishes that use rutabagas are Rotmos, Smalahove, Raspeball, Potch. The Scots make an interesting dish of tatties and neeps which is potato and rutabagas mashed separately and served with haggis. Swedes are often mashed with carrots for a traditional Sunday roast. Rutabagas are parts of soups, stews, casseroles, baked pastry etc.
Turnip is used as a vegetable in salads, soups and casseroles. Larger varieties are used as fodder for farm animals. Turnips are used to flavor juice made from carrots and spices in Turkey. They are commonly used as pickles in Middle East. Turnip is attributed medicinal properties and is believed to reduce body temperature.
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Comments: Rutabaga vs Turnip