Turnip Greens with Bacon

Turnip Greens with Bacon is a classic southern side dish that is so simple to make. It’s a flavorful addition to any comfort food meal that is rich in nutrients. 

Fried Chicken Strips served up with turnip greens, black eyed peas and a pan of cornbread and these bacon wrapped sweet potatoes is about as comforting and delicious as it gets. 

Greens are a southern staple that everyone should have in their recipe box. This simple recipe has tons of flavor from the bacon onions and the pot liquor that develops as the greens are slow cooked. Be sure to sop up the juice with a slice of cornbread or buttermilk biscuits.

🥓 Ingredients Needed:

• Turnip Greens
• Bacon
• Onions
• Garlic
• Chicken Broth
• Sugar
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper

🥬 How to Wash Greens:

• Strip the leaves and remove the stems from the greens.
• Add greens to a large bowl and fill with cold water. Let the greens soak for a few minutes and then plunge the greens in the water to loosen the sand and dirt. remove the greens and empty the bowl, rinsing out the grit. 
• Repeat this step again. 
• Rinse each the turnip greens under cold running water and drain in a colander. Taking time to ensure the greens are clean is essential. Gritty greens are the worst.

🟢 Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Roughly chop the turnip greens. 

• In a dutch oven or large soup pan, cook sliced bacon over medium heat, stirring until crisp. 
• Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. 
• Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan and cook the onions with garlic, stirring occasionally until onions are caramelized.

Add turnip greens to the onions. 

• Cook for 2-3 minutes until greens are wilted.

• Add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. 
• Stir and lower to simmer. Cover and cook about an hour to an hour and a half until greens are tender. 

• Taste the greens and season with sugar, salt and pepper. The sugar will lessen the bitterness of the greens. It is optional and can be added to taste.
• Stir in the bacon and serve immediately with hot sauce. 

✅ Notes and Variations:

• Yield: 6 Servings
• Vegetarian:  Make it a vegetarian side dish by skipping the bacon and using vegetable broth or water to cook the greens. 
• Meat Variations: cooked ham hocks or smoked turkey legs are also great additions to greens to add in delicious flavor and make it a heartier dish.
• Storage: Store leftover greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. 
• Reheat: Reheat greens in a pan with additional broth or water if needed over medium heat, stirring until heated through.

More Southern Side Dish Favorites:

• Fried Okra is a great addition to any meal. This tried and true version has a crispy cornmeal batter that is impossible to resist.
• Fried Squash is the most requested side dish when our garden is overflowing with summer squash. It’s easy to make and disappears just as fast as I can cook it. 
• Coleslaw is our favorite cold salad to serve with all of our southern favorites. This simple recipe can be made ahead and is great with everything from bbq to pinto beans.

Serve up a pot of southern turnip greens with bacon along with your favorite comfort foods for a hearty and delicious meal that the entire family will enjoy. A must have to for a southern New Year’s dinner with black eyed peas and cornbread for a prosperous year ahead.

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Print Recipe

4.79 from 14 votes

Turnip Greens with Bacon

Turnip Greens with Bacon is a classic southern side dish that is so simple to make. It's a flavorful addition to any comfort food meal that is rich in nutrients. 

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course: Vegetables

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to cook greens, southern turnip greens, turnip greens

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 116kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

• 2 bunches turnip greens
• 6 slices thick cut bacon
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 - 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• hot sauce for serving

Instructions

• Strip the leaves and remove the stems from the greens.
• Add greens to a large bowl and fill with cold water. Let the greens soak for a few minutes and then plunge the greens in the water to loosen the sand and dirt. remove the greens and empty the bowl, rinsing out the grit. 
• Repeat this step again. 
• Rinse each the turnip greens under cold running water and drain in a colander. Taking time to ensure the greens are clean is essential.
• Roughly chop the turnip greens. 
• In a dutch oven or large soup pan, cook sliced bacon over medium heat, stirring until crisp. 
• Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. 
• Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan and cook the onions and garlic, stirring occasionally until onions are caramelized.
• Add turnip greens to the onions and cook about 2 - 3 minutes until greens are wilted.
• Add chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. 
• Stir and lower to simmer. Cover and cook about an hour to an hour and a half until greens are tender. 
• Taste the greens and season with sugar, salt and pepper. The sugar will lessen the bitterness of the greens. It is optional and can be added to taste.
• Stir in the bacon and serve immediately with hot sauce. 

Notes

Vegetarian:  Make it a vegetarian side dish by skipping the bacon and using vegetable broth or water to cook the greens. 

Meat Variations: cooked ham hocks or smoked turkey legs are also great additions to greens to add in delicious flavor and make it a heartier dish.

Storage: Store leftover greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. 

Reheat: Reheat greens in a pan with additional broth or water if needed over medium heat, stirring until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 1045mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g