What takes the bitterness out of turnip greens?

Blanch Them Blanching your greens is key to getting that bitterness level down. Because glucosinolates are water-soluble compounds, a lot of them are leached out into the water, allowing for a less bitter green.

How do you cook and clean turnip greens?

To cook turnip greens, start by rinsing them off and patting them dry. Next, cut the stems off at the base of each leaf, removing any bruised or wilted pieces as you go, and tear the leaves into 1/2 inch pieces. Then, fill a Dutch oven or large stockpot halfway with water and bring it to a boil.

Why add baking soda to turnip greens?

Add baking soda. Salt is one of my favorite ways to cut the bitterness in turnip greens. I then add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the broth and simmer for the last 20 minutes. Works like a charm!

What makes turnips taste better?

How do you get the bitterness out of turnips? Smaller turnips tend to be sweeter and less bitter, so start by selecting fresh, small, tender turnips and peeling them. Adding a little sugar to your turnips after cooking can also help to counteract any bitterness .

What is the purpose of vinegar in collard greens?

What takes the bitterness out of collards? Collards may be a little bright and bitter, but rich ingredients like bacon and smoked ham will help cut through that. If it's still too strong, vinegar and sugar can cut the bitterness from collards , too.

What are two reasons for not adding baking soda to the cooking water for green vegetables?

This is a bad practice, however, and you should avoid adding baking soda when boiling any type of vegetable. It has various unwelcome effects, such as softening the vegetable, altering the vegetable's flavor, destroying thiamine content, and hastening the loss of vitamin C .

What pairs well with turnip greens?

But as a side dish, turnip greens are right at home on a plate with cornbread, pork chops, and baked sweet potatoes . Or dipped fried chicken, biscuits, and hashbrown casserole. Also, don't throw away all that beautiful broth, which is called pot likker (or pot liquor).

What does turnip greens do to the body?

Boosts immunity : Antioxidants in turnip greens help eliminate free radicals and protect the cells from oxidative damage, improving the health of immune cells. Dietary fiber in turnip greens can also reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

Do you use the stems of turnip greens?

Oh, cook the stems too . They'll soften up and taste great.

What makes turnips less bitter?

A small amount of sugar is often added to help smooth out any rough flavour edges, but when working with garden-grown turnips that mature in cool soil, taste before adding sugar.

How do you balance bitterness in greens?

add fat . Adding fat can balance out the bitter taste. Besides olive oil, you can add avocado, nuts or seeds to salads for a burst of fat.

How to counteract bitterness?

Sweetness: From sugar, honey, fruits or otherwise, sweetness will counteract bitter and sour flavours . It can also be used to cut down the heat of a particularly spicy meal. Saltiness: Salt plays two very important roles in flavouring a dish. Firstly, it balances against bitterness.

Everything You Need to Know About How to Cook Turnip Greens (2024)

Updated: Jun. 08, 2023

Don't toss your turnip greens! Use them to make a classic southern side dish.

Turnips are easy to find at the store, but the greens—not so much. Unfortunately, turnips in the produce section are often sold without the greens, a missed opportunity. Instead, look for turnip greens at natural foods stores, produce stands and farmers markets. Like kale and spinach, there are many ways to enjoy these leafy greens, whether as a flavorful side dish or added to other recipes.

What Are Turnip Greens?

Turnips are a root vegetable, which means that the turnip bulbs grow underground. Above the ground are the tall stems and leaves—the turnip greens.

The leaves have a strong, earthy and peppery flavor. They’re delicious cooked on their own or added to other dishes!

How to Prep Turnip Greens

To remove all traces of dirt and grit, submerge turnip greens in cold water and swish them around. Drain and repeat one or two more times until the leaves are clean. (Wait to wash the greens until you’re ready to use them.)

What to Do with Turnip Greens

When purchasing turnip greens, either loose or still attached to the bulbs, look for greens that appear healthy and vibrant green with no yellowing. The greens can be prepared in a number of ways including sauteing, boiling and steaming. (Very similar to preparing other hearty greens like kale, spinach and Swiss chard.) Cooked turnip greens can be served on their own as a side dish or be folded into omelets, sandwiches or casseroles. The leaves can also be added to soups and stews.

Turnip greens are also enjoyed raw in salads, but the leaves can have a very strong, bitter flavor. Cooking the leaves mellows the bitterness, as does the addition of other ingredients like a little sugar, hot pepper flakes and bacon.

How to Steam Turnip Greens

Turnip greens can be quickly cooked by steaming. Bring water to a boil in a large pot with a steamer basket placed over the top. (It shouldn’t touch the water.) Add the greens to the steamer basket and place a lid over the top. Steam the greens for several minutes until they’re wilted and tender, then serve.

How to Saute Turnip Greens

Sauteing turnip greens allows you to infuse flavor into the leaves with fat and aromatics. Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil, bacon grease or an oil/butter blend over medium heat until hot. If you like, saute some chopped onions or garlic in the pan first; then add in chopped turnip greens. Use tongs to stir and toss the leaves until they’re coated in oil. Saute the greens, stirring occasionally, until they’re reduced in volume, dark in color and tender, about 8-10 minutes.

How to Boil Turnip Greens

Slowly cook down the turnip greens by boiling them in water or for more flavor in stock. As with sauteing, ingredients like salt pork or onions can be cooked first before the liquid and chopped turnip greens are added. This method creates greens that are flavorful and very soft. They’re ready in as little as 15 minutes but are often boiled longer, as in our recipe below.

How to Make Country Turnip Greens

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This savory turnip greens recipe is a family favorite shared by Sandra Pichon of Memphis, Tennessee. It makes 10 servings and is ready in an hour.

Ingredients

3/4 pound lean salt pork or bacon, diced
4-1/2 pounds fresh turnip greens, trimmed
1-1/2 cups water
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4-1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1: Cook the salt pork

Place the diced salt pork or bacon into a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the salt pork until it’s lightly browned and the fat has rendered. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the drippings.

Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients

Add the turnip greens to the pot. (The leaves can be torn or sliced to make them fit.) Add in the water, chopped onions, sugar and pepper. Increase the heat and bring everything to a boil.

Step 3: Simmer

Reduce the heat and cover the Dutch oven. Simmer the greens for about 45 minutes, until they’re very tender. Use a slotted spoon to serve the greens while they’re warm.

Turnip Greens FAQs

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When are turnip greens available?

The greens are easiest to find in spring and fall. In spring, smaller and more tender turnip leaves are harvested when they first begin growing. They’re especially abundant, however, in the fall when the plants are mature with large leaves, and turnips are ready to harvest.

Try turnips and turnip greens together in this recipe.

How do you store turnip greens?

Turnip greens will stay fresh for up to five days when stored unwashed in a plastic bag in the fridge. The greens can wilt quickly, so store them this way as soon as you get them home.

Are turnip greens good for you?

Turnips are members of the healthy brassica family of veggies which includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale. Turnip greens are very nutritious: One cup contains more than the daily recommended dose of vitamin K, as well as lots of vitamins C and A. The greens also contain calcium and fiber.

What can I serve with turnip greens?

Turnip greens cooked with salt pork or bacon can be served as a light main dish, with sides of hot, buttered cornbread or biscuits. Spinach greens are especially nice when served as a side dish; their flavor pairs well with pork chops, pulled pork sandwiches or glazed ham. Serve turnip greens with other roasts, too, and alongside other soul food sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and grits.