5 Things We Love from the Turnip Truck
Looking for some culinary inspiration? Here are five things we love from the Turnip Truck that are sure to make your next grocery store trip a little more exciting!
A community go-to since 2001, locally owned grocery store Turnip Truck is celebrating 20 years in Nashville this year. The mom-and-pop neighborhood favorite – with an extraordinarily helpful staff – specializes in everything from health products and locally sourced produce to delicious prepackaged dishes you can serve up on the spot. Plus, they have killer salad and hot bars and an incredible organic juice bar, too! From fresh flowers to gourmet savories to a fabulous wine selection, the one-stop shopping doesn’t get any better, particularly since there are three locations to choose from: East Nashville, West Nashville, and The Gulch. Since there are so many great items to shop for, our team collaborated to come up with our top five Turnip Truck picks. We can’t wait for you to try them!
5 Things We Love from the Turnip Truck
Locally Made Pasta
Handcrafted by a local vendor in small batches, Alfresco artisan pasta offers an authentic taste of Italy right here in Music City. From ribbons of thick fettuccine and spaghetti to frozen ravioli and tortellini, the Turnip Truck carries a beautiful array of options that lend traditional Italian flavor to whatever dish you’re preparing. Also notable, the store has a wide selection of shelf pasta to satisfy every palate and dietary restriction, too — from gluten-free to brown rice or chickpea-based options.
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Argentinian Shrimp
Wild-caught with sustainable practices in Argentina, Argentinian Royal Red Shrimp are the crème de la crème of shrimp. “Royal red [shrimp] are hard to find in Nashville, and these are delicious,” says StyleBlueprint Founder and CEO Liza Graves, who adds that this particular type of shrimp retains its shrimp flavor but also delivers the butteriness of lobster. Two pounds will easily feed a large family, and they’re easy to peel. Antibiotic- and additive-free, these shrimp are so tasty, they need only be sautéed with some butter for a beautiful dinner. If you’re looking to kick it up a notch, Turnip Truck Marketing Director Z Nelson says, “I love these sautéed with butter and onions, and tossed on some pasta with a squeeze of lemon.”
Rotisserie Chicken
An easy, inexpensive go-to, rotisserie chicken offers some serious versatility, whether you’re carving it to accompany mashed potatoes, shredding it for tacos, or layering it in a sandwich. We love the classic-brined rotisserie chicken from Springer Mountain Farms, which you can buy for $7.99. It’s also 100% natural with no antibiotics, steroids, growth stimulants or hormones. “The rotisserie chicken makes dinner prep so easy, and I don’t have to worry about all of the bad stuff that’s in other commercial rotisserie chickens,” says StyleBlueprint Director of Marketing Megan Casey, who loves to use it for homemade chicken salad. “I use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise,” she says. “Then, I include marinated artichokes, Kalamata olives, red onion, and roasted red peppers for a twist.”
In-House Guacamole
Not that making your own guacamole is ridiculously labor-intensive, but sometimes you simply don’t have the time or energy to whip up your own. The Turnip Truck gives us a reason not to bother. “Hands down, the Turnip Truck makes the best guac in the city,” says Liza. “Better than any restaurant, I promise!” With simple, fresh ingredients, the in-house guacamole features ripe avocados, lemon juice, red onions and a dash of salt — the perfect combination for snacking. If you’re looking for the best thing to dip into it, Z tells us the Santo Nino Tortilla Chips are perfection. Even better, they’re made in Gallatin, Tennessee!
Everything You Need for the Perfect Grazing Board
Whether you’re looking for a few bold cheese wedges and some crostini, or you’re building an epic platter of cured meats topped with oodles of festive garnishes, the Turnip Truck has everything you need to build the ideal grazing board. Let your culinary creativity abound! We love grabbing a little bit of this and a little bit of that — from Smoking Goose‘s Gin and Juice Salami to herbes de Provence-rolled Noble Springs Dairy goat cheese, which is made in Franklin. From cornichons and marinated olives to sweet compote, candied nuts and artisan crackers, we could peruse the aisles for hours on end.
To find these delicious items (and so many more!), visit the Turnip Truck at the East Nashville location: 701 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206; Charlotte Avenue location: 5001 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209; or The Gulch location: 321 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203. Plus, be sure to check out the Turnip Truck’s “20 Days of Giving” celebration to commemorate 20 years in business. From May 1-20, you can enjoy daily giveaways and promotions.
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.