Mustard and Turnip Greens

Mustard and Turnip Greens recipe — savory, a little spicy, and packed with flavor. It’s a great side dish with cornbread, fried chicken, or beans.

🥬 Mustard and Turnip Greens Recipe

🔹 Ingredients:

• 1 bunch mustard greens

• 1 bunch turnip greens (with or without turnips attached)

• 4 cups chicken broth (or water with bouillon)

• 1 small smoked ham hock, turkey leg, or 4 slices bacon (for flavor)

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, cuts bitterness)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

🔹 Instructions:

1. Clean the Greens:

   • Remove thick stems and any yellowed leaves.

   • Wash thoroughly in several changes of cold water to remove grit.

   • Chop roughly into bite-sized pieces.

2. Cook the Meat Base:

   • In a large pot, add ham hock or turkey leg with 1 cup of the broth.

   • Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes to flavor the liquid.

   • (If using bacon, cook until crisp, then remove and crumble. Keep the grease.)

3. Add Flavor Base:

   • Add chopped onion and garlic to the pot with the meat and cook until softened.

   • Stir in red pepper flakes.

4. Add Greens:

   • Add greens a handful at a time, stirring to wilt slightly before adding more.

   • Pour in remaining broth, making sure greens are just covered. Add a bit of water if needed.

5. Simmer:

   • Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until tender.

   • Add vinegar, sugar (if using), salt, and black pepper to taste.

6. Serve:

   • Remove meat, shred it, and return to the pot.

   • Serve hot with some of the potlikker (the flavorful cooking liquid).

   • Add hot sauce if desired.

🍽️ Tips:

• Too bitter? A pinch of sugar or splash of vinegar helps balance.

• No smoked meat? Use smoked paprika + olive oil for a vegetarian version.

• Want turnips too? Dice the turnip roots and add them with the greens.