If you love good greens, you’ll love this easy and delicious instant pot recipe — Southern turnip greens. They are cooked to perfection and so full of flavor.
I grew up to the sound of my grandmother’s pressure cooker.
Actually let’s get real. That thing scared me.
It blew smoke and made a loud noise and was putting off steam if you got close to it.
I wasn’t allowed to get close to it.
She cooked these root vegetables on high pressure and when she opened the lid you could smell mouth-watering goodness across the room. They came out to perfection.
Fast forward a couple of decades…
So I grew up and became an adult and had 5 kids of my own… and we use the Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot is basically just a modern pressure cooker, but it is more predictable and (to me, because I’m a wuss) safer. Presto! Instant Pot turnip greens at your finger tips!
We’ve Added Bacon, But You Don’t Have To!
If you aren’t a fan of bacon, you can substitute a country ham hock or salt pork to give the greens that amazing seasoning they need.
However, if you want this recipe vegetarian, simply leave out the bacon pieces and use vegetable broth. They are a tasty addition, but you can of course leave them out to meet your own family’s dietary needs.
Other alternatives to enhance the flavors include adding diced onion or Cajun seasoning.
Cleaning Turnip Greens
You’ve got to do a thorough cleaning job on these greens because if they are fresh there will likely be a whole lot of dirt.
Wash them in the sink with cold water, shake them, and repeat. You want to make sure you get every bit of dirt off the turnips or when your greens are cooked they will be gritty and not enjoyable.
Ingredients For Instant Pot Turnip Greens
- 1 32 oz. bag trimmed fresh turnip greens
- 1/2 pound bacon, cut into pieces
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons granulated sweetener
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- salt, to taste
Directions To Make Instant Pot Turnip Greens
- Set the instant pot to saute until hot. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy. Or as crispy as you like it! If you use ham hocks or salt pork, cook it slightly before adding to greens, although it can cook while turnips are cooking as well.
- Add the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom, scraping to remove anything stuck to the bottom.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pressure cooker. Cover, lock the lid, and make sure the valve is set to Sealing, not Venting.
- Cook on manual for 10 minutes.
- Quick release the steam or allow to naturally release.
- Serve as they are or with some pepper sauce if preferred.
Instant Pot Turnip Greens Go Great With…
Turnips are a good side dish for any Southern table and they are in abundance from fall to early Spring. Like mustard greens or collard greens, they really make a great side dish for a Sunday dinner.
As for the main dish, the turnips go well with ham, pork, or fried catfish for the meat. You also need some cornbread or hoecakes, as my grandmother used to make. Turnips also go well with smoked turkey for festive holiday meals…Southern style.
Pot Likker
Don’t forget that you’ll get pot likker from your greens! These instant pot greens will give you the best pot likker around.
We hope you’ll enjoy our Instant Pot Turnip Greens Recipe!
Instant Pot Turnip Greens
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz. bag trimmed fresh turnip greens
- 1/2 pound bacon cut in pieces
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons granulated sweetener
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Set the instant pot to saute until hot. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy. Or as crispy as you like it! If you use ham hocks or salt pork, cook it slightly before adding to greens, although it can cook while turnips are cooking as well.
- Add the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to deglaze the bottom, scraping to remove anything stuck to the bottom.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pressure cooker. Cover, lock the lid, and make sure the valve is set to Sealing, not Venting.
- Cook on manual for 10 minutes.
- Quick release the steam or allow to naturally release.
- Serve as they are or with some pepper sauce if preferred.
Notes
- You can make this completely vegetarian by not adding the bacon!
- You can use any sweetener of your choice in place of granulated sugar (like Splenda, etc.)
- If you like your turnip greens more spicy, add another pinch of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Turnips Are Punny…
Q: What kind of socks do you need to plant turnips?
A: Garden hose!
Q: Where did the turnip go to have a few drinks?
A: The Salad Bar!
Q: What is the difference between turnips and snot?
A: Children will eat their snot!
Q: Did you guys hear about the farm party?
A: The turnip was too real
I m pretty new to my Instant Pot (and loving it so far), but this was super easy and came out DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing. ??
I’m so glad!
This recipe says it is for turnips, but it is only for the greens. You do realize that turnips and turnip greens are different things, right?
Yes! Many people use the term turnip greens and turnips interchangeably since the greens are what are predominantly eaten! Did the recipe not work for you?
tried these in IP for time…I put a cajun twist on them and man of man they were good. used Aidells cajun sausage and seasoned with Zatarans creole.
That sounds fantastic! Glad you enjoyed!
I have never left a comment on a recipe before, but I grew up in the south and have never enjoyed turnip greens until this recipe. Delicious!!
Hi Katie, thanks so much for taking the time to comment! We’re so glad you loved the recipe!!