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Learn how to cook turnip greens just like they do in the South. Greens are slowly simmered with pork jowl, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper for a tender, tasty soul food side dish.
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4.75 from 8 votes

Southern Turnip Greens

You've gotta try this Southern turnip greens recipe. Slowly simmered with cider vinegar and ham until tender, it's down home cooking at it's finest.
Course Side dishes
Cuisine Southern
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings 4 people
Calories 210kcal
Author Lisa B.

Ingredients

  • 1 smoked ham hock or ham bone
  • 3 large bunches of greens collard, turnip, mustard, washed
  • 3 tablespoons bacon grease
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Fill a large stockpot with 1 quart of water.
  • Add ham hock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. 
  • In the meantime, remove the stems from the greens. Discard the stems and coarsely chop the leaves.
  • Remove the ham hock from the pot and set aside to cool.
  • Add the greens, bacon grease, cider vinegar and sugar to the pot.
  • Cook, uncovered, for 2 hours for firmer greens, longer for more tender greens. My experience is, the longer they cook the better they taste.
  • Remove any meat from the ham hock or bone. If using bacon, chop the bacon up. Add the meat back to the pot and stir.
  • Season greens with salt and pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cup | Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 600IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1.8mg