Marianne Martinez
Turnip greens are a traditional New Year's dish served in many households. They are also a classic Southern dish, perfect for the holiday season, Sunday brunch, or busy weeknights. Cooking turnip greens in a crock pot or slow cooker is a great way to achieve tender greens with minimal effort. The longer the greens cook, the better the flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Classic Southern Dish |
| Ideal For | Holiday Season, Sunday Brunch, Weeknights |
| Ingredients | Turnip greens, smoked meat (ham hocks, turkey legs), onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, broth, salt, sugar |
| Crock Pot Size | 6-quart |
| Cooking Time | 3-4 hours on HIGH, 6-8 hours on LOW |
| Serving Suggestions | Cornbread, mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas |
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What You'll Learn
Wash and prepare the turnip greens
Turnip greens can be a lot of work to clean and prepare, but the end result is worth it! Here is a step-by-step guide to washing and preparing your turnip greens for cooking in a crock pot:
First, fill a clean sink or large bowl with cold water. Add the greens to the water and swish them around with your hands for a few minutes. If your greens are loose leaf, they may be especially dirty, so be sure to clean them thoroughly. Repeat this process until the greens are clean and there is no more dirt in the water.
Next, remove the greens from the water and place them on a cutting board. You can choose to remove the stems at this point, or leave them in—they will become tender during cooking. If you decide to remove them, use a sharp knife to cut out the thick stems.
Now, stack the greens on top of each other and roll them up like a cigar. Use your knife to slice the greens into strips.
Finally, your turnip greens are ready to be added to the crock pot! Place the sliced greens into the crock pot with the rest of your ingredients.
If you are using bagged greens, they are likely pre-washed and pre-cut, but it is still recommended to give them an extra rinse before cooking.
Enjoy your delicious crock pot turnip greens!
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Add water or broth
When cooking turnip greens in a crock pot, you can choose to add either water or broth. The choice of liquid can depend on your preference, availability, and the desired flavour of the dish.
If you choose to use water, it is recommended to add about one cup of water to the crock pot. You can also add a little salt to taste when adding the greens to the crock pot. This is because the broth usually has added salt and the water will reduce a little during cooking, concentrating the flavour.
Some recipes suggest using chicken broth or chicken stock, while others recommend vegetable broth, especially if you are making a vegetarian dish. You can also use plain water instead of broth. If you are using broth, it is suggested to use about half broth and half water, and if you need to add more liquid to the pot during cooking, you can add water.
One cup of water or broth should be enough to cook the turnip greens, but you can adjust the amount based on your preference and the size of your crock pot. If you want more of the pot liquor that results from cooking the greens, you can add two cups of water instead of one.
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Include meat or keep it vegetarian
Turnip greens are a classic Southern dish that can be made in a crock pot with minimal effort. You can include meat or keep it vegetarian, depending on your preference.
Vegetarian Option
If you want to make vegetarian turnip greens, simply leave out the meat and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can even add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to give it a smoky flavor.
Meat Option
If you'd like to include meat, smoked meat like ham hocks or turkey legs are a great option. Start by rinsing off the smoked meat. You can also use ham hocks, which are the joints that connect the foot to the leg and are mainly made up of ligaments, skin, and tendons. When cooked, the fat and collagen in ham hocks dissolve, leaving a nice smoky taste.
Cooking Instructions
Whether you choose the vegetarian or meat option, the cooking instructions are the same:
- Wash the greens and remove any thick stems.
- Add the greens to the crock pot with about 1 cup of water or broth.
- If using meat, place it on top of the greens.
- Add onion, garlic, salt, and sugar (if using).
- Pour in apple cider vinegar or another type of vinegar.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the greens are tender.
- If using meat, remove it from the crock pot, shred it, and stir it back into the greens.
- Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.
Your crock pot turnip greens are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with cornbread, mashed potatoes, or other Southern favorites.
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Seasoning and flavouring
Firstly, it is important to season the turnip greens with salt. If you are using water as your liquid, add a little salt to taste when you add the greens to the crockpot. If you are using broth, bear in mind that it may already contain salt, especially if you are using bacon, which is also salty. The liquid will reduce during cooking, so the salt flavour will become more concentrated.
You can also add sugar to crockpot turnip greens. Brown sugar is recommended, as it adds more flavour than white sugar. However, if you only have white sugar, this can be used instead.
Smoked meat is a great way to add flavour to crockpot turnip greens. Smoked ham hocks or smoked turkey legs are popular choices, but any smoked ham will work. If you want to make a vegetarian dish, you can omit the meat and add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika instead.
Onion, garlic, and apple cider vinegar are also common ingredients used to season crockpot turnip greens. You can also add red pepper flakes, vinegar, and pepper to taste.
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Serving suggestions
Crockpot turnip greens are a classic Southern dish, perfect for the holiday season, Sunday brunch, or a busy weeknight. Here are some serving suggestions for this delicious and nutritious meal:
Cornbread
Cornbread is a classic side dish to serve with crockpot turnip greens. It is perfect for soaking up the delicious pot liquor, also known as pot likker, created during the cooking process. For an extra kick, try jalapeño cornbread.
Meat
Smoked meats, such as ham hocks, turkey legs, or wings, are a popular addition to crockpot turnip greens. The meat can be cooked alongside the greens, shredded, and then stirred back into the dish. Alternatively, serve the turnip greens with a side of meat, such as fried baloney or cornbread and fried bacon.
Black-eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are another traditional Southern side dish that pairs well with crockpot turnip greens. They are especially popular for New Year's Day celebrations.
Other Sides
Turnip greens can be served with other Southern favourites, such as mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. For a lighter option, a simple green salad or sliced tomatoes can complement the hearty greens.
Drinks
Turnip greens can be enjoyed with a variety of drinks. Sweet tea is a classic Southern beverage that pairs well with the dish. Alternatively, a crisp white wine or an ice-cold beer can complement the flavours of the turnip greens.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 4 and 8 hours to cook turnip greens in a crock pot, depending on the setting. For example, cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
You can add smoked meat, such as ham hocks or turkey legs, or keep it meat-free for a vegan option. You can also add onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, and broth or water.
Wash the greens and remove any large stems. Then, slice the greens into thin strips, similar to how you would julienne basil.
