Prairie Turnip Soup

Prairie Turnip Soup is a hearty, traditional dish from the Great Plains region of North America, particularly associated with Indigenous communities like the Lakota and Dakota. It features the native prairie turnip (also known as the Indian turnip or wild turnip) as the star ingredient, often simmered with a simple broth and sometimes meat like venison or beef. The soup is a comforting, earthy staple that reflects a deep connection to the land and seasonal foraging.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This soup is generally low in fat and moderate in carbohydrates, with the prairie turnip providing a good source of dietary fiber and complex carbs. It's a nutrient-dense, low-calorie dish that offers key minerals like potassium and manganese, with a typical serving containing roughly 150-200 calories.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	170 kcal
Protein	4 g
Carbs	32 g
Fat	3 g
Fiber	6 g
Sugar	4 g
Sodium	480 mg
Potassium	420 mg
Manganese	0.8 mg
Vitamin C	12 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Magnesium	35 mg
Phosphorus	95 mg
Vitamin B6	0.2 mg
Copper	0.3 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the prairie turnip is a sacred and historically vital food for Plains tribes, harvested by hand in early summer and often dried for winter use. Nutritionally, it's unique as a wild, starchy root that is exceptionally high in vitamin C and fiber compared to many cultivated vegetables.