New Year’s Recipe: Southern Turnip Greens
If you’re craving some good ol’ Southern comfort, these turnip greens are where it’s at. Cooked up slow with smoked meat, they’re tender, packed with flavor and have just the right hint of earthiness. Serve them alongside fried chicken, pork chops or pretty much anything, and you’ve got yourself a true Southern meal. (Stacey Little / Southern Bite)
It wouldn’t be a New Year’s Day meal without some greens for good money luck.
Southern Turnip Greens
Southern Turnip Greens. (Stacey Little / Southern Bite)
Click here for a printable recipe.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh turnip greens, cleaned, with stems removed
- 3 quarts water
- ½ to ¾ pound smoked meat (ham hock, bacon, smoked turkey, etc.)
- 3 chicken bouillon cubes (or 3 teaspoons chicken bouillon base)
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 to 1½ tablespoons salt
- ½ yellow onion, diced
Instructions
- Combine water, smoked meat, bouillon cubes, salt, garlic and onion in a large pot and bring to a boil.*
- Gradually add turnip greens, allowing them to cook down a minute or two to allow the rest to fit into the pot.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every now and then, or until the greens are tender to your liking.
- If you’d like, remove the ham hock and shred the meat. Return the meat to the greens and serve.
Recipe note
*If you have some extra time, give the broth a head start by simmering the meat, garlic and onion in the water, covered for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then add the salt and greens.
This recipe originally appeared on SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out “The Southern Bite Cookbook.”
