How to Store Turnips
Turnips are good storage roots if you remove the tops and keep the roots cold and moist. Small to medium roots usually keep better than oversized ones.
Best storage conditions
Store at 32 to 36 F with very high humidity, about 95 percent. Keep them dark in the refrigerator or root cellar.
How long it keeps
Roots usually keep 2 to 4 months under ideal storage. Greens are best used within a few days.
Storage methods
Cut tops to about 1/2 inch above the root and do not wash until use unless drying thoroughly. Store roots in perforated bags, bins, or boxes, and in a root cellar they can be packed in damp sand or sawdust. Do not let them dry out.
Freezing & preserving
Freeze diced or sliced turnips after blanching. Turnips can also be pickled or fermented. For canning, use tested USDA or NCHFP recipes, and as a low-acid vegetable they require pressure canning.
Tips
Sort out cracked or damaged roots first. Store away from apples and pears if greens are attached.
General home-storage guidance. For home canning and preserving safety, follow USDA and National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) guidelines. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.