8 Favorite Recipes for Southern Greens

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 01/16/20

Southerners love their greens. Though they might try new recipes from time to time, nothing is more comforting than the traditional pork-seasoned dish of turnip greens, kale, collards or mustard greens. And in true Southern tradition, greens must be served up with freshly baked cornbread for dipping with a side of pepper sauce (vinegar and small hot chili peppers).

For some of us, the least enjoyable part of preparing fresh greens is getting all the grit off the leaves (though it's even more unpleasant to eat badly cleaned greens). The easiest way to clean them is directly in the sink or a very large pot filled with cold water. After the tough stems and heavy ribs are cut out and discarded, place the leaves in the cold water. Let them soak for a few minutes, then swish around to loosen grit and sand and drain. Repeat the process two or three times, depending on how gritty the leaves are. Even if you buy "cleaned" greens, swish them a time or two just to make sure.

Whether you're looking for traditional Southern flavor or something new and different, you'll likely find something to try from the recipes below. 

  • 01 of 08

    Southern Turnip Greens with Ham Shanks​

    Turnip greens and ham shanks

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Nothing could be more Southern than ham cooked with turnip greens. For this recipe, you can use ham shanks or leftover smoked ham if you happen to have some in the fridge. Serve with cornbread for a quintessential down-South dish.

  • 02 of 08

    Swiss Chard With Bacon

    Swiss Chard with Bacon

    Annabelle Breakey / Digital Vision / Getty Images

    As we all know, everything is better with bacon—and Swiss chard is no exception. If you are a fan of spinach, you will love Swiss chard as these greens are very similar. A simple, one-pot dish, this recipe of greens, bacon, onion and Cajun seasoning is ideal for your next cookout. 

  • 03 of 08

    Dandelion Greens With Garlic

    Dandelion Greens With Garlic

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    We all know dandelions are weeds, but did you also know they are a tasty and nutritious green? Sauteed with onion, garlic, and hot chili peppers, the dandelion greens will bring a punch of flavor to any meal. If you decide to pick your own dandelion greens, be sure to do so in an area that is not sprayed with chemical pesticides. 

  • 04 of 08

    Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

    crock pot black-eyed peas and collard greens

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Black-eyed peas and collard greens—can't think of a combination that sounds more Southern. After cooking the bacon, onion, and greens in a skillet, all of the ingredients are placed in a slow cooker and left to become a tender and flavorful dish that can be a main meal when served with a side of cornbread and tomato salad. 

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Collard Greens With Okra (2 Ways)

    collard greens

    Lisa Charles Watson / Getty Images

    The beauty of this recipe is it can be cooked in two different ways—ideal when you either are in a rush or have a bit of time to put dinner together. The first method is beyond simple, where you place all of the ingredients in a cast-iron skillet and bring to a boil. Alternatively, you can saute the bacon, onion, and greens first and then add the chicken broth and seasonings to cook for 45 minutes.

  • 06 of 08

    Mixed Greens With Ham Hocks

    Collard greens and macaroni and cheese on a plate
    Amanda Greene / Getty Images

    Ham hocks are an essential ingredient in Southern cooking. The ham hock (also called pork knuckle) is the shank end of the pig's leg bone and requires a long cooking time to tenderize the meat. In this recipe, collard and turnip greens are cooked with the ham hocks to create a rich and flavorful dish. Don't forget to serve cornbread alongside to soak up the "pot liquor" left over after cooking. 

  • 07 of 08

    Spicy Kale and Mustard Greens With Cajun Sausage

    Spicy Kale and Mustard Greens With Cajun Sausage

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    If you're looking for a way to spice up dinnertime, this greens and sausage recipe is sure to do the trick. The andouille or Cajun-style sausage contributes complex flavors with a bit of kick. An extra dash of Cajun seasoning makes this dish a spicy one, ideal alongside a cooling slaw and cornbread.

  • 08 of 08

    Southern-Style Turnip Greens With Salt Pork

    Chopped Turnip Greens
    Riccardo Bruni / EyeEm / Getty Images

    In traditional Southern recipes, turnip greens are usually cooked with ham or pork. This recipe uses salt pork, which can be one of three cuts—pork side, pork belly, or fatback—that is cured in salt. The salt pork must be prepared before cooking by removing the salt coating, rinsing and then cutting off the skin and fat.