Kale, collard, and mustard greens cooked southern style with bacon. Simmered in chicken broth, with onions, garlic, and peppers!
A few years ago I uploaded my recipe for Southern Collard Greens. Since then the recipe has been tried, and loved by so many of my viewers. Since you all loved the recipe so much I decided to come back with another southern greens recipe, but this time the greens are mixed.
I honestly love all greens, but the greens used for this recipe was kale, collards, and mustard greens. I seasoned the greens with European Style Bacon, and I must say that I absolutely loved it. I usually use bacon ends, ham hocks, or smoked pork neck bones. However, my local butcher talked me into trying the European style bacon, and I’m glad that he did. The bacon is a lot smokier than regular bacon, and it had a lot less fat. The outcome was amazing…. I think I am now in love with European style bacon y’all!
Other than using bacon to flavor my southern mixed greens I also use my usual ingredients such as chicken broth, garlic, onions, bell peppers, and red pepper flakes.
So we talked about the greens, the bacon, and even what I use to season the greens. Now let’s talk about the turnips. I used about 3-4 turnips for this huge pot of greens. Before throwing them into the pot I made sure to wash them thoroughly. After washing the turnips, I peeled them, then I cut them into small squares.
Ready to make the best mixed southern greens? Check out these easy steps..
Wash the greens well before anything else. Then dice up the bell pepper, onion, and mince the garlic
Cook the bacon over medium heat, then toss in the diced bell pepper, onions, and minced garlic..
Add in the greens, and stir the ingredients..
Pour in the chicken broth..
Add in the apple cider vinegar, then stir, and let simmer..
Peel & dice the turnips..
Toss the turnips into the pot ..
Let the greens & turnips cook some more…. then serve!
Here’s the complete recipe!
Southern Mixed Greens & Turnips
Ingredients
- 1 lb European style or regular bacon cut in small pieces
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 1 large bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves of fresh garlic minced
- 2 tsp seasoning salt
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 lb collard greens washed & cut
- 1 lb mustard greens washed & cut
- 1 lb kale washed & cut
- 32 ounces chicken broth I used low sodium
- 3 - 4 medium sized turnips peeled & chopped into 1/2 squares
Instructions
- Make sure that the greens are nice and clean prior to anything else, then cut or tear the greens in small pieces.
- Toss the bacon into a large pot, and cook it over medium heat.
- Once the bacon starts to brown, add in the onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic.
- Stir the ingredients, then toss the greens.
- Keep in mind that all the greens may not fit into the pot at first. Once they cook down, you can add more to the pot.
- Once all the greens are in the pot, pour in the chicken broth.
- Next sprinkle in the red pepper flakes, seasoning salt, and black pepper.
- Add in the apple cider vinegar at this time, then give everything a stir.
- Reduce the heat from medium to low-medium, place a lid on the pot, and let the greens simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Remove the lid from the pot, and carefully add in the turnips.
- Stir the ingredients, cover the pot with the lid, and let cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve & enjoy!
I can almost taste these delicious greens! My mom always cooked them while I was growing up.
They are delicious. The turnips really add a lot to this dish!
I’ve always wanted to learn how to make this. Thanks!
ROSIE, LET ME TELL YOU THESE GREENS AND KALE AND TURNIPS ARE SO DELICIOUS I HAD TO GO BACK FOR SECONDS. O I’M SORRY I FORGOT TO SAY HELLO. I WILL BE COOKING THEM AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU. EDITH
Hi Edith! Glad that you like the recipe!
I’m 67, but just 2 years in the south. I was at our farmer’s market and saw a gentleman with a large bag with turnips with the greens in them. I asked what he did with the turnips. “You chop them up and cook them with the greens and some fat-back. Now that is some good eating, mmmm!” It got me thinking about cooking turnips with greens, which led me to your wonderful recipe. I’m going back to that market as soon as I can so I can try out your recipe. So I’ll be back with my rating later-promise!
I LOVE turnip greens! Let me know how they turn out for ya!
Rosie- As Promised I made your turnips and greens recipe and (drum roll)….THEY ARE TERRIFIC! I was a little worried the turnips would be bitter like they are when tasted raw, but instead they were quite mild while giving something special in texture to the spicey greens. I used kale, mustard greens and the greens from the turnips themselves. Thanks for this great recipe!
Hi Dale! Thanks for the follow up. I’m glad that you liked the recipe! XOXO
Hi Rosie
I cannot eat any type of bacon due to high blood pressure. Is there anything else I can substitute the bacon with?
Thanks
HI CJ. Most smoked meats are high in sodium. I suggest leaving the smoked meats out, and just using low sodium chicken broth to season your greens.
Hi these Greens were delious!!!. Thanks.
Hey there I found this recipe while searching for ways to cook turnips, & I’m making it for dinner tonight with pork chops. I too have high blood pressure & wanted to share with you an awesome secret ingredient: smoked paprika. It’s good for adding a smoky rich flavor to lots of yummy stuff, without fat or salt.
Hi Annie. I actually use smoked paprika in a lot of my dishes
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Yes. Turhey drumsticks then you don’t need chicken broth. Just use the water from the cooked Turkey drumbsticks.
Hi Rosie, this recipe sounds delicious and I would like to try but where can I purchse European bacon?
You can get it from the local meat market. Regular bacon can be used as well. 🙂
Rosie, Rosie, Rosie!
I made this recipe tonight and paired it with fried catfish and your crockpot candied yams. My God! These were literally the best greens I’ve had in life! I only used turnip greens and one tsp of red pepper flakes since I have toddlers. My three year old devoured these greens, my one year old couldn’t get enough of the yams and my husband said the house smelled just like grandma’s. Where is the collection plate? I feel like I need to throw a couple dollas in there lol
Thanks so much for sharing your great recipes!
Hey Alexis!!! That sounds like an amazing dinner!! Thanks so much for trying my recipes! XOXO
I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but looks amazingly like my momma’s greens! Will be making them for Thanksgiving this week! Yummmmmly! Thanks for the recipe.
Rosie,
I loved this recipe. You made it so easy to follow.
I went to farmers market today. Bought some beautiful turnips with greens still attached. So very fresh. I had never cooked with turnips before. My dish turned out wonderful .
YAY!! SO glad that you liked the recipe!
Grew up in the city spent summer vacation in N.C. with my grandparents, mixing of the greens a normal thing to do. Carried it over to my kids who are now adults during the winter ..hey mom you got a pot of greens on we are on the way over
Hi cousin Rosie
First I just wanted you to know that every recipe of your I have tried comes out great. I am hosting thanksgiving dinner this year and most of my family don’t eat pork, so can I use smoked turkey wings with this recipe? Thanking you in advance
Hi Carla! Absolutely! You can definitely use smoked turkey instead of pork 😉