How long to cook turnip greens in instant pot”

Let’s talk about how long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot. Growing up as a little girl in Kansas, I never really liked collard greens or any type of greens for that matter. They were bitter and too mushy and slushy for my taste. Mushy would be perfect for someone recovering from oral surgery, but not ideal any other time. I won’t say whose greens gave me the big turn-off, but suffice it to say I wasn’t a fan.

As I grew older and after getting married, I learned a great deal about cooking and eating, which is largely a matter of personal preference. The turnip greens I didn’t like growing up were likely prepared in a way that the cook preferred.

I like mine a little firmer, and that’s my prerogative (cue Bobby Brown). That’s why I’ve always used recipes as “guidelines” and not as the holy grail of cooking. Look at any recipe as nothing more than a blueprint. After that, make it your own. So, if you Googled “how long to cook turnip greens in instant pot” and landed here, treat this recipe the same way—taste as you go and adapt as needed to satisfy your own personal taste. You won’t be disappointed if you cook turnip greens in an Instant Pot. Trust me.

How long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot?

The short answer on the “how to” of turnip greens:

Cook turnip greens in Instant Pot for 5 minutes on high pressure. After cooking time, allow them to sit in the Instant Pot undisturbed for 20-25 minutes.

Fun facts about Turnip Greens.

Turnip greens are part of the cruciferous vegetable clan. Other examples are cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, bok choy, turnips (of course), rutabaga, and watercress. These veggies are said to have cancer-fighting properties. Read more on Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/285961.

According to “Medical News Today, ” You get lots of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

You also get vities (i.e., vitamins) such as vitamins A, C, K, and folate. So, turnip greens are good for you! Yay!

Ready for the full recipe and to learn all the beautiful details for cooking turnip greens in your Instant Pot? Ready? Ready? Let’s go!

how long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot.  Can you cook greens in an Instant Pot?

Recipe and Answer:
How long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot

Ingredients for your Instant Pot Turnip Greens:

2 tbsp of butter

1 tsp of olive oil

6 slices of bacon, cooked in an air fryer or on the stove

1 large onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups of water

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tsp Better than Bouillon paste

1 Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon Cube

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 tsp sugar

Lawry’s seasoned salt, to taste

Smoked paprika

Garlic powder, granulated

Onion powder, granulated

About 5 small bunches of turnip or collard greens (see pic below for comparison)

1/4 cup of salt

Wash the Greens. Please!

Pre-work:

Clean your sink thoroughly. I use a disinfectant and even disinfect the rubber stopper. Be sure to rinse the sink WELL! Once you’re sure it’s free of the chemicals, fill the sink with warm water. Add about 1/4 cup of salt to the water. Place greens in the water and let them soak for about 15 minutes, swishing them around about 2 or 3 times as they soak. You want to do this cleaning process to prepare to cook turnip greens in the Instant Pot.

See how I’m swishing below? That’s what you want. I even left the volume so you could hear me swish that dirt off my dinner! :)

Meanwhile, heat the butter and the olive oil in a skillet.

Add two slices of bacon. Some people prefer using the Instant Pot for sautéing, but I’m old-fashioned and partial to my cast-iron skillet. You can surely sauté yours in the Instant Pot if you’d like.

Even when I’m going to cook turnip greens in my Instant Pot, I use my cast-iron skillet.

While the skillet is warming, you can cook your bacon in the air fryer, if you haven’t already. I cook mine at 350 for about 11 minutes. It’s not really about the bacon but the rendering of the fat. I always make mine soft so I can have a Cobb sandwich after. :)

Add your onions and bacon. Lightly salt the onions to help them render their juices. Cook on medium heat until soft.

While the onions are cooking, scoop your greens to one side of the sink to let the water out.

Then, refill for the second soak. Add more salt. As the sink refills, start “picking” your greens and incrementally adding them to the water if you haven’t already done so. This “picking” means folding the leaf in half and grabbing it with your left hand while pulling or ripping the stem off with your right hand. Work quickly. Take a peek at your onions to make sure they are not burning.

Give them a stir. We are still talking about “how long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot.”

After you’ve picked your greens, swish them around and let them sit for another 15 minutes. As they sit, you may get more grit falling into the sink. This is good.

Your onions should be soft now. Add the garlic and cook. Don’t walk away. Garlic burns quickly. Move them around a bit, then stir them into the onions after they’ve softened. Add smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Now, pour 4 cups of water into the pot. Add your Knorr bouillon cube and Better than Bouillon paste. Turn the heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. You’re creating the delicious broth that will flavor your greens.

how long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot

Remove the greens from the sink. Check the water. If it is still gritty, you may opt for another soak. Grocery store greens are usually not very dirty and don’t require a third soak. However, if I get them from the local farmers’ market or someone’s backyard, I soak them up to five times!

Gather several leaves and roll them tightly. Slice the “roll” several times. Pour your broth into the Instant Pot.

Add the greens to the Instant Pot in batches. To cook turnip greens in Instant Pot, you need to take your time.

As I add them, I like to season each layer with salt, pepper, and seasoning salt. I lightly cover each layer. Touch a leaf with your finger and taste to get an idea of the seasoning. Remember, you can season them after they are cooked. Not much, but a little.

Throw the red pepper flakes on top later. Add more if you like spicy greens. :)

Put your top on and the Instant Pot. Set it for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes are up, allow the natural release for about 20 minutes or so.

Now you know how long to cook turnip greens in Instant Pot.

You can cook greens in instant pot

Remember, any recipe is all about your preference. If you like your greens softer, just put them back in. Cook for 3 minutes.

Channeling my fondness for the 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” I opted to serve cornbread alongside my Instant Pot turnip greens. I made some baked fish for my hubby and a pork chop for my teen. We were all happy.

Greens and cornbread in Instant Pot
I love cornbread with my Greens. Comfort food at it’s best.

Which Greens in your Instant Pot?

If you’d like to compare different types of greens, click here.

Bon Appétit gives a cool comparison of different types of greens. I just love their YouTube channel. I’ve forgiven them for their past issues with racial bias. Anyway, Brad Leone is my absolutely favorite host! I don’t think I’ve ever watched him host a show without laughing or learning something new.

See the video below. Hear him educate you on sardine “boo boo.” Ha!

I got first my Instant Pot from Amazon.

GodsyGirl is a Christian lifestyle blog featuring Christian faith articles written by an ordinary Christian woman blogger, a Christian inspirational podcaster, and a pastor’s wife. GodsyGirl is about Christian inspiration and living your fullest life as a fabulous Christian woman. Explore GodsyGirl.com to find articles on everything from daily Christian living to hair, makeup, and living your absolute best life!

2 thoughts on “How long to cook turnip greens in instant pot””

  1. I love how detailed this is! Now i want an instapot to try it myself! Great job :)

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