Sides
Peppery Turnip Greens with Pot Likker
Tender turnip greens braise low and slow in a peppery, smoky broth, delivering that soul-food staple bowl of greens and pot likker.
Turnip greens have a sharper, more mustard-like bite than collards, and I love that peppery edge cutting through the richness of the smoked pork. This is the pot of greens I make when I want something with a little more attitude on the plate.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds turnip greens, stemmed and roughly chopped
- 4 ounces smoked bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, sliced thin
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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1
Crisp the baconIn a heavy-bottomed pot, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crisp and the fat has rendered, about 6 minutes.
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2
Soften aromaticsAdd the onion and cook until softened, then stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
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3
Build the brothPour in the chicken broth, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and sugar, and bring to a simmer.
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4
Wilt the greensAdd the turnip greens in batches, stirring until each batch wilts down enough to make room for more.
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5
Braise until tenderCover and simmer on low for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the greens are fully tender and the pot likker is flavorful.
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6
Finish and serveSeason to taste with salt and pepper, then ladle into bowls with plenty of the peppery broth.
Okra & Oak Tip
Reserve any leftover turnip roots from the bunch and dice them into the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra texture.
Storage
Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days; the flavor deepens overnight, so leftovers are often even better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the stems are tough and fibrous, so stripping the leaves away from the thick center rib gives a much more tender finished dish.
Absolutely, just reduce the cooking time by about 20 minutes since frozen greens are already partially broken down.
Nutrition
Per serving. Values are estimates.
130
Calories
7g
Protein
8g
Carbs
8g
Fat
