Cracker Barrel Turnip Greens Recipe

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Last updated on November 6th, 2022

Turnip greens are from the same family as kale. So, they come with as many benefits. Specifically, they’re high in minerals, vitamins, and other nutritious elements.

Now, we know not everyone likes eating greens. However, when cooked properly, they are as delicious as they are healthy. Plus, if you cook it just right at home, you don’t have to go all the way to Cracker Barrel whenever you need to satisfy a craving. With our help, you’ll be able to make your version of the Cracker Barrel turnip greens in no time!

Cracker Barrel Turnip Greens Recipe

We recommend making turnip greens in an instant pot or pressure cooker. That’s because the food will cook much faster, and you won’t have to spend as much time in the kitchen. The prep will take around ten minutes, while the actual cooking lasts thirty minutes. 

Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to begin:

• Ham slices
• Turnip greens
• Chicken broth (2 cups)
• Oil
• Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp)
• Onions (Half a cup)
• Garlic 
• Salt
• Pepper
• Sugar

Preparation

Turnip greens can be dirty. So, be sure to wash it thoroughly and take out all the dirt. Once you’re done washing it, separate the stems from the leaves. Afterward, you can cut the leaves into small pieces. 

Dice half a cup of onions and set it aside. Cut up the garlic. The quantity is up to you, or you can skip it. A ham hock can also suffice if available. Alternatively, you can substitute the ham with turkey slices, bacon, or chicken strips.

Cooking Process

Start with the olive oil in a pan, then add onion and garlic and saute. Add the meat to the cooker too. Once the onions are translucent, add the washed and cut turnip greens. Add the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar too. 

Once they’re in, add the seasonings (salt, black pepper, and sugar). Including some sugar in the mix will help balance the ham’s saltiness. You can add more seasoning per your taste. Start with one spoon and increase as needed after tasting it. 

After adding everything, change the cooker settings to manual. Cook everything for thirty minutes on high heat. Afterward, take everything out into a serving dish.

You can add additional black pepper if you want. Serve with pepper sauce. You can also add in diced pieces of turkey. That’s it! Your Cracker Barrel turnip greens are ready. 

Can I Have Cracker Barrel Turnip Greens For Dinner?

Yeah, you can. However, if you’re hosting a dinner or want to be fancy, turnip greens should ideally only be a side dish. Other than that, you can have turnip greens for lunch or dinner. They’re a low-carb, full-fledged meal for days when you want to eat something lighter. 

Which Dishes Go With Turnip Greens?

If you want to recreate the Cracker Barrel experience at home, serve the turnip greens with the following dishes:

• Meatloaf With Buttermilk Biscuits

For family meals, you can have turnip greens with homemade meatloaf. The meat dish goes well with the light side dish. Add in some buttermilk biscuits, and you have a  nice dinner.

• Grilled Chicken Tenderloins

Some added ham isn’t going to do much for your meat cravings. So, if you want a full meal, marinate and grill some chicken tenderloins. You can serve the chicken with something like barbeque sauce. 

• Chicken and Dumplings With Buttermilk Biscuits

For a packed Sunday lunch, go the extra mile and include everything. You can have chicken tenderloins and homemade dumplings with buttermilk biscuits. If you want, you can also include other side dishes like mac ‘n cheese, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and casserole. 

Can I Store Turnip Greens for Later?

Yes, as long as you have a working freezer or refrigerator, you can store the turnip greens and have them later. Ensure that they’re completely cool before you put them away. 

If you use a sealed container, you can store them in the refrigerator for almost three days. However, if you don’t plan to have them so early, you’re better off freezing them. Typical containers will save food for two to three months. If you want them to last longer, use a vacuum-sealed bag or container. 

How Do I Reheat the Turnip Greens While Maintaining the Flavors?

There are different ways to heat the turnip greens. You can use the instant pot again. Just place the contents in the pot and then leave it to heat up after adjusting the settings. The process should take 30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can heat it over the stove. Put the frozen turnip greens in the pan and simmer. Ensure you use low heat for this to avoid burning. You can also defrost it before reheating it in a pan. Serve the food once it is hot enough. 

What Are the Benefits of Turnip Greens?

Turnip greens are nutritious and contain minerals. It has calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus minerals and contains vitamins A, C, K, and folate.

Turnip greens help prevent anemia, hair loss, osteoporosis, cancer, and other disorders. They also have fiber, good for digestion. They have antioxidants that can help increase insulin sensitivity in diabetes patients, which lowers glucose levels. 

The choline and folate in turnip greens help with mood and sleep disorders. You get better sleep, memory, and muscle movement. Folate can also help with depression. 

Conclusion

Turnip greens are easy-to-make and taste delicious. You can serve them as a side dish in your family dinner or have them as a low-carb meal for yourself. Since turnip greens are high in vitamin and mineral content, they have many health benefits. 

Feel free to make this delicious side dish with meatloaves, dumplings, or grilled chicken for a full feast. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheat the dish and have them with meals later.