Southern Turnip Greens

turnip greens in a white bowl with a wedge of cornbread on the side

4.85 from 19 votes

Learn how to cook Southern turnip greens in this easy step-by-step tutorial. Greens are slowly simmered with salt pork, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper for a tender, tasty soul food side dish.

Course Side dishes

Cuisine American, Southern

Cook Time 2 15

Servings people

Calories 28kcal

Author Lisa B.

Ingredients

4 large bunches of turnip or collard greens washed
12 ounces salt pork
4 cups water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Remove the center stems from the greens. Discard the stems and coarsely chop the leaves.
Heat the salt pork in a large stock pot over medium heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes to render off some of the grease, but so not drain the grease.
Add the water to the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to the pot. Bring the pot to a boil again.
Add the greens. You may need to work in batches, allowing the greens to wilt down to make room for more.
Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot again, then cook for 1 -2 hours. The longer the greens cook, the more tender they will become.
Season the greens with salt and pepper if needed.

Video

Notes

Allow the turnip greens to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container with a lid. Turnip greens should be eaten within four days.

To freeze, spoon the cooled greens and the potlikker into a freezer bag. Leave several inches at the top for expansion. Carefully fold the top of the bag down to squeeze out all the air, then seal. Lay the bag flat to freeze. Once frozen, you can stack it. Frozen greens should be eaten within 3-4 month. Allow then to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition