Turnip Green Soup: Classic Southern Style
Want to know what true comfort food tastes like? This Turnip Green Soup is it! It’s warm, hearty, and so delicious. The greens mix with smoky meat and yummy veggies.
Every spoonful feels like a big hug. I love making this because it reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen. The smell would fill the whole house!
Now I make it for my family, and they always ask for seconds. This soup brings everyone to the table with smiles. Trust me, you’re going to love it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This soup needs just a few simple ingredients that taste amazing together. Check the recipe card below to see how much of each thing you need.
- Turnip Greens: These leafy greens give the soup its special earthy taste that makes it so good and hearty.
- Smoked Ham Hock: This meat adds that smoky flavor that makes the whole pot taste rich and wonderful.
- Chicken Broth: The broth is what holds everything together and makes all the flavors mix perfectly in the pot.
- Onion: Sweet onion builds up the flavor from the start and makes your soup smell incredible while cooking.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a nice savory kick that makes the greens taste even better than they already do.
- Potatoes: Potatoes make the soup thicker and more filling, so it’s a complete meal in one bowl.
How to Make Turnip Green Soup
Making this soup is really easy and fun! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have an amazing meal.
Step 1: Prepare the Smoked Meat
Put your ham hock in the pot with 8 cups chicken broth and turn the heat to high. When it boils, turn it down low and let it cook for 45 minutes until the meat gets tender and the broth tastes amazing.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Take out the ham hock for now. Then cook 1 diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves in 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat for 5 minutes until they smell wonderful and get soft and golden.
Step 3: Add the Greens
Toss in 2 pounds chopped turnip greens and stir everything together really well. Don’t worry if it looks like too much! The greens shrink down a lot as they cook in the hot pot.
Step 4: Return the Meat and Simmer
Put the ham hock back in along with 2 diced potatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 minutes until the potatoes are soft and the greens are perfect.
Step 5: Shred and Serve
Remove the ham hock from the pot and pull off all the yummy meat from the bone. Toss the bone away and put the shredded meat back into your soup. Give it a quick taste and add more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. Then grab your ladle and scoop that delicious soup into bowls. YUM!
Tips for the Best Turnip Green Soup
These easy tips will help you make the best soup ever, every single time you cook it!
- Let It Simmer: Give your ham hock enough time to cook so all that smoky flavor gets into the broth.
- Wash Really Well: Turnip greens can have dirt on them, so rinse them a few times with cold water first.
- Pick Your Spice Level: Add more or less red pepper flakes depending on how spicy you like your food to be.
- Fresh Is Better: Frozen greens work fine, but fresh ones give you better texture and brighter color in your bowl.
- Taste As You Go: The ham hock is already salty, so taste your soup before adding more salt to the pot.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to change things up? Here are some fun ways to make this soup your own special way!
- Try Different Meat: Use smoked turkey wings, bacon, or salt pork instead of ham hock for a new twist on flavor.
- Switch the Greens: Collard greens, mustard greens, or kale all work great if you can’t find turnip greens at the store.
- Make It Vegetarian: Skip the meat and use veggie broth with smoked paprika to get that yummy smoky taste without meat.
- Add Some Beans: Throw in white beans or black-eyed peas at the end for extra protein and make it more filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make turnip green soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day. Just put it in the fridge for up to four days covered.
How do I store leftover soup?
Let the soup cool down first. Then put it in containers with lids and keep it in the fridge for four days.
Can I use frozen turnip greens?
Of course! Frozen greens work really well. Just toss them right into the pot without thawing them first at all.
What should I serve with turnip green soup?
Warm cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, or crusty bread are perfect for dipping into the delicious broth. ENJOY!!!
How can I make this soup spicier?
Add more red pepper flakes or stir in some hot sauce and fresh jalapeños to give your soup extra heat.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes! This soup doesn’t have gluten as long as your chicken broth is gluten-free, too. Check the label to be sure.
Can I add other vegetables?
Sure! Carrots, celery, bell peppers, or tomatoes all taste great with the turnip greens in this yummy soup.
How do I thicken the soup?
Mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot or mix in a little cornstarch and water mixture.
Turnip Green Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Put ham hock and chicken broth in a pot, bring to a boil, turn the heat down low, and cook for 45 minutes until tender.
- Take out the ham hock, heat olive oil, and cook diced onion and minced garlic for 5 minutes until soft and smells good.
- Add chopped turnip greens to the pot and stir well so they mix with the onion and garlic as they cook down.
- Put the ham hock back in the pot with potatoes, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf, then cook for 30 minutes covered.
- Take out the ham hock, pull meat off the bone, put meat back in the soup, throw away the bone, taste, and add more seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Soup tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have time to blend together overnight.
- Wash turnip greens really well with cold water a few times to get rid of any dirt.
- Freeze extra soup in containers for up to three months for easy meals when you’re busy later.
- Make it more or less spicy by changing how much red pepper flakes you put in.
- Use collard greens or mustard greens if you can’t find turnip greens at your grocery store today.
