Turnip Greens

Turnip greens are a delicious and healthy way to liven up dinner time. Unlike some turnip greens, which can be a bit bitter, this easy one-pot dish helps turn those turnip greens into flavorful and tender bites that you’ll love.

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Did you just enjoy my Mashed Turnips? Now you’re wondering what to do with the greens I had you save? Whether you serve these turnip greens as a side dish or the main meal, your family will be thankful either way!

I’m a huge fan of greens, from collards, kale, spinach, you name it…and these turnip greens needed their time to shine. I usually add smoked meat to my greens, but this meatless version is just as good.

If you want a bit of protein added, feel free to add any leftover turkey, ham, or pork to this recipe!

Ingredients for tasty turnip greens

• Turnip Greens – The dark leafy tops of the turnip root. You can usually find the leaves sold in grocery stores, either bagged or bunched together in the produce department. Turnip greens can be a little bitter.
• Olive Oil – to sauté my aromatics, like the onion and garlic.
• Yellow Onion and garlic cloves – My favorite aromatics to use in greens. Or in any recipe, I’m always adding onions and garlic.
• Light Brown Sugar – Turnip greens can be bitter so the light brown sugar balances it out.
• Seasonings (Seasoned Salt, Ground Mustard, Ground Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes) – the seasonings I use to flavor these greens! I prefer seasoned salt because it’s a combination of seasonings, like paprika, sugar, turmeric, and onion powder. If you don’t have seasoned salt, feel free to use plain salt.
• Chicken Broth – Chicken broth adds a ton of flavor to this dish. I suggest using a low-sodium chicken broth so you can control the amount of salt. Vegetable broth or water can also be used.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – We always add a bit of vinegar to our cooked greens. It really brightens the dish.

Tools you’ll need for this recipe

• Large pot or Dutch oven – with a tightly fitted lid.
• Collinder for draining washed turnip greens – You’ll need to make sure your greens are cleaned before cooking.

How to prepare your turnip greens

Washing your greens will greatly reduce any chance of dirt or sand ending up in your dish.

1. Fill your sink or a large bowl with water.
2. Use water, or a mixture of water and vinegar to thoroughly clean the greens.
3. Swish them around a bit, agitating any dirt that’s been stuck on. You may even have to rub dirt off.
4. Rinse and repeat until your greens are cleaned!

How to make Turnip Greens

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add oil and onions and sauté until the onions begin to soften about 3-5 minutes. Then add garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds. 

Add light brown sugar, seasoned salt, ground mustard, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 10 seconds. Then add the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and turnip greens. Reduce the meat to medium-low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. 

Continue to cook the greens covered over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring until the greens and stems become tender, about 45 minutes to an hour. 

Serve the greens hot along with the liquid. Enjoy.

Storage

Any leftover turnip greens should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

You can even freeze your leftovers! Allow to cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months, thawing overnight before serving.

How to prevent bitter turnip greens

Yes, turnip greens are bitter! But they can be SO delicious, we just have to give them a little extra love. A couple of ways our recipe helps to prevent bitterness is by adding the sweetness of the sauteed onion and brown sugar. Then we’re hitting it with a bit of spice from the black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Serving suggestions:

Pair these flavorful greens with cornbread; you won’t be disappointed! Here are a few of my favorite cornbread recipes that will go perfectly with turnip greens:

• Golden Sweet Potato Cornbread
• Classic Southern Cornbread Recipe
• Easy Cornbread Muffins

Still cooking? Try a few of these dishes to make alongside your greens.

• Super Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
• Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Southern Green Beans
• Southern Style Macaroni Salad Recipe

Tanya’s Pro Tips

• The liquid in the pot is known as “pot likker” and is great to sip while eating the greens. Do not toss this out.
• Add smoked turkey, thick bacon, or ham hock for an extra depth of flavor.
• Removing the stems is common but not necessary. If you prefer to remove the stems, it may add a few minutes to the overall prep time.

Looking for more greens? Try these out:

• Sautéed Beet Greens
• Collard Green Soup
• Fried Cabbage

 If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!