Ella Walter
Turnip greens are a staple in Southern cooking and can be easily prepared in a crock pot or slow cooker. This cooking method produces tender greens with minimal effort and is perfect for serving during the holidays, Sunday brunch, or busy weeknights. To cook frozen turnip greens in a crock pot, start by washing and removing the stems from the greens. Then, add them to the crock pot with ingredients such as onion, garlic, salt, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and broth. You can also include smoked meat like ham hocks or turkey legs for added flavor. Set the crock pot to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the greens are tender. Once cooked, season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar. This easy recipe yields flavorful turnip greens that can be enjoyed as a delicious and nutritious side dish.
How to cook frozen turnip greens in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Southern Dish |
| Main Ingredients | Turnip greens, broth, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, smoked meat |
| Other Ingredients | Ham hocks, turkey legs, olive oil, red pepper flakes, cornbread, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas |
| Cook Time | 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low |
| Recipe Yield | Serves 4-6 people |
| Nutrition | High in fiber, vitamins, and minerals; low in calories |
| Storage | Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days; freeze for up to 12 months |
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What You'll Learn
Wash and prepare the greens
Preparing frozen turnip greens for cooking in a crock pot is a straightforward process. First, remove the greens from their packaging and check if they are pre-washed. Even if they are pre-washed, it is recommended that you wash them again. To do this, fill a clean sink with cold water and add the greens. Swirl them around with your hands for a few minutes, then remove the greens and drain the water. Clean out any dirt that remains in the sink, refill the sink, and repeat the process until the greens are clean and free of dirt.
Next, you will need to remove any tough ribs or large stems from the greens. The ribs are bitter and can take up valuable space in your crock pot. To remove them, fold each green leaf lengthwise and then slice the rib out with a knife. Then, tear the greens into large pieces.
Once the greens are washed and the ribs removed, they are ready to be added to your crock pot.
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Add ingredients and liquid
Adding Ingredients and Liquid to Frozen Turnip Greens in a Crock Pot
When preparing frozen turnip greens in a crock pot, the first step is to wash the greens thoroughly and remove any tough ribs or stems. This step is important to ensure that any dirt or bitter-tasting parts of the vegetable are removed before cooking. A quick way to remove the ribs is to fold the greens lengthwise and then slice out the rib with a knife. After washing and slicing, the greens are ready to be placed in the crock pot.
Next, add liquid to the crock pot to help cook the greens and create a flavoursome broth. Water is the most basic liquid to add, but for added flavour, apple cider vinegar and broth or stock can be used. The type of broth or stock is flexible and can be tailored to taste, with options such as chicken broth, ham hock, or vegetable stock.
In addition to the greens and liquid, it is common to add other ingredients to the crock pot to enhance the flavour of the dish. These can include onion, garlic, salt, and sugar. For a heartier meal, smoked meats such as ham hocks or turkey legs can be added on top of the greens. Alternatively, for a vegan option, olive oil can be used instead of meat.
The amount of liquid added to the crock pot will depend on the desired consistency of the final dish. For a soupier dish, more liquid can be added, while for a thicker consistency, less liquid can be used. It is important to note that the greens will release some water during cooking, so the amount of liquid added should be adjusted accordingly.
Once all the ingredients and liquid have been added to the crock pot, the dish is ready to be cooked. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the desired texture of the greens, with longer cooking times resulting in more tender greens.
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Cook on low heat for 4-8 hours
When cooking frozen turnip greens in a crock pot, it is important to remember that the longer they cook, the better the flavour. The low heat setting on a crock pot is perfect for this, as it allows the turnip greens to cook slowly and develop a rich taste.
To begin, wash the greens well and remove any tough ribs or stems, as these can be bitter and take up valuable space in your crock pot. You can do this quickly by folding the greens lengthwise and slicing out the rib with a knife. Then, tear the leaves into large pieces. If you find that your crock pot is not large enough to fit all of the greens, you can put them in a covered dish with a tablespoon of water and steam them in the microwave for about 45 seconds to 1 minute. This will help them shrink down.
Once your greens are prepared, add them to the crock pot with about 1 cup of water, peeled and quartered turnips, and your choice of ham hock, olive oil, or diced ham. You can also add onion, garlic, salt, and sugar to taste. If you are using sugar and red pepper flakes, add those now as well. Close the lid and set the crock pot to low heat for 4-8 hours. The longer cooking time will ensure that your turnip greens are tender and full of flavour.
During the last 30 minutes of cooking, you can add smoked meat such as ham hocks or turkey legs on top of the greens. If you are using salt pork, it is best to cook it separately and add the rendered fat to the crock pot instead. After cooking, remove the meat, shred it, and stir it back into the greens. Your delicious and nutritious turnip greens are now ready to be served!
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Shred meat and add seasoning
Once the greens are cooked, remove the smoked meat from the crock pot and place it in a bowl. Using two forks, hold the meat steady with one and use the other to pull pieces of the meat apart. You can also use your fingers to pull the meat apart once it's cool enough to handle. Shred the meat into small pieces.
After shredding the meat, add it back into the crock pot and stir it into the greens. Taste the dish and season with salt, pepper, and sugar to your preference. If you want to add a spicy kick, you can add some red pepper flakes.
The longer turnip greens cook, the better the flavor, so feel free to leave them in the crock pot for a little longer if you want to develop the taste further. You can also add more water if the mixture becomes too dry.
Once you're happy with the seasoning, serve the turnip greens with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or black-eyed peas for a delicious and hearty meal.
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Store leftovers in the fridge
Storing your leftover crockpot turnip greens is easy. Simply transfer them to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they will keep for up to five days. After five days, transfer any remaining greens to the freezer, where they will keep for up to 12 months.
It's worth noting that crockpot turnip greens are a great dish to make in advance and freeze for later. So, if you're batch cooking or making them ahead of time, you can store them in the freezer for up to a year. When you're ready to eat, simply defrost, reheat, and enjoy!
To defrost, you can either leave the frozen greens in the fridge overnight to thaw or use the microwave to speed up the process. Once defrosted, turnip greens can be reheated on the stovetop or in the oven until heated through.
To reheat on the stovetop, place the greens in a saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through. You can add a splash of water or broth to the pan to prevent sticking and help steam the greens.
For reheating in the oven, place the greens in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash the greens and remove the stems. Add the greens to the crock pot with onion, garlic, salt, sugar, apple cider vinegar, broth, and smoked meat (optional). Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Smoked meats like ham hocks or turkey legs are often added to crock pot turnip greens.
Crock pot turnip greens can be served with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or black-eyed peas.
Leftover crock pot turnip greens can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 12 months.
Using a crock pot to cook turnip greens results in flavorful and tender greens with minimal effort. It is a convenient way to prepare this classic Southern dish, especially for busy weeknights or holiday gatherings.
