These Southern style mustard greens are cooked with smoky bacon and seasonings until tender and flavorful . An easy yet satisfying side dish that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, pork chops or seafood.
When I’m looking for an easy and flavorful side dish that I know everyone will enjoy, I turn to favorites such as corn fritters , baked beans and these savory mustard greens. Pair your greens with classic recipes like Hoppin’ John for a dinner that will earn rave reviews!
Mustard greens are an underutilized ingredient in my opinion, but if you haven’t tried these greens you’re missing out! These mustard plant leaves are one of my favorite types of leafy greens and a classic Southern side dish recipe . They have tons of flavor, especially when you pair them with plenty of bacon.
These greens are fantastic with hearty main dishes like scalloped potatoes and ham , Mississippi pot roast and hamburger steak .
- Mustard Green Ingredients
- How Do You Make Mustard Greens?
- Tips For The Perfect Dish
- Quick Tip
- Recipe FAQs
- Flavor Variations
- More Side Dishes You’ll Enjoy
- Mustard Greens Video
- Love This Recipe?
- Mustard Greens with Bacon Recipe
Mustard Green Ingredients
When you make mustard greens you will need bacon, onion, garlic, mustard greens, chicken broth, sugar, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt and black pepper.
How Do You Make Mustard Greens?
To make mustard greens, first wash your bunch of greens well in cold water. Make sure to remove all dirt and grit. Slice the stem out of each piece, then roughly chop the leaves. Cook diced bacon until crisp, then remove half the bacon to use as garnish. Add onion and garlic to the bacon grease in the pan, and cook until tender. Place the greens in the pot, along with some chicken broth and seasonings. Simmer until the greens are very tender. Stir in the hot sauce and vinegar, then garnish with reserved bacon and serve immediately.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- Chop your mustard greens into pieces that are about the same size so that they cook in about the same amount of time.
- Your greens can be cleaned and prepped up to three days before you plan to use them. Make sure the greens are dry when you store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. You can also buy a bag of pre-prepared greens to save some time.
- This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe as the greens will be watery when thawed.
- I recommend serving your greens with cornbread on the side for a taste treat.
Quick Tip
When you buy mustard greens look for leaves that are green and crisp . You don’t want wilted or yellowing greens.
Mustard greens are a bright colored, leafy vegetable with a fresh, peppery taste. The leaves come from the same mustard plant that produces mustard seeds and mustard oil, and that’s how they got their name. These leaves are best served cooked, and can be prepared in many different applications.
Sometimes this variety of greens can be a touch on the bitter side, and the best way to counteract this issue is to add a pinch of sugar to your greens. The sugar does not make the dish taste sweet, but it neutralizes the bitter taste. You can also add a little extra salt, or try a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
The best way to eat mustard greens is sauteed with acid to brighten the flavor and fat to enrich the flavor of the leaves. That is why I like to cook these greens with tangy apple cider vinegar and rich bacon bits.
Follow Me
Flavor Variations
While I love this dish as written, there are many ways to change up the flavor to customize it to your tastes.
- Meat: Instead of bacon, try another smoky meat such as ham hocks, smoked sausage, diced ham steak or smoked turkey wings. If you use ham hocks or smoked turkey wings, you’ll want to simmer them until tender before you add them to the greens. Be sure to cut the meat off the bones to stir it into the finished dish.
- Greens: This recipe also works with other varieties of greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens or dandelion greens. You can even use a combination of different types of greens.
- Spicy: For spicier greens try adding extra hot sauce or some red pepper flakes.
Give these greens a try, it’s the best way to eat your veggies and enjoy them too!
More Side Dishes You’ll Enjoy
Honey Roasted Carrots
35 mins
Fried Okra Recipe
40 mins
Roasted Green Beans
30 mins
The Best Onion Rings Recipe
40 mins
Roasted Root Vegetables
55 mins
Mustard Greens Video
Love This Recipe?
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 6 slices bacon coarsely chopped
- ▢ 1/2 cup onion coarsely chopped
- ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic minced
- ▢ 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ 1 pound mustard greens cleaned, stems removed, and cut into 1 inch pieces
- ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
- ▢ 1 teaspoon sugar
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or more to taste
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place the bacon in a large pot over medium high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until crisp. Remove half the bacon from the pan and reserve for later use.
- Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic, salt and pepper, then cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the greens to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Pour in the chicken broth and sugar, then bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, then cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes or until greens are tender. Uncover and stir in the hot sauce and vinegar. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with reserved bacon, then serve immediately.
Notes
- When you buy mustard greens look for leaves that are green and crisp. You don’t want wilted or yellowing mustard greens.
- Chop your mustard greens into pieces that are about the same size so that they cook in about the same amount of time.
- Your greens can be cleaned and prepped up to three days before you plan to use them. Make sure the greens are dry when you store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. You can also buy a bag of pre-prepared greens to save some time.
Nutrition
Mustard Greens with Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup onion coarsely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound mustard greens cleaned, stems removed, and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce or more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place the bacon in a large pot over medium high heat. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until crisp. Remove half the bacon from the pan and reserve for later use.
- Add the onion to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic, salt and pepper, then cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the greens to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes or until wilted. Pour in the chicken broth and sugar, then bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, then cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes or until greens are tender. Uncover and stir in the hot sauce and vinegar. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with reserved bacon, then serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- When you buy mustard greens look for leaves that are green and crisp. You don’t want wilted or yellowing mustard greens.
- Chop your mustard greens into pieces that are about the same size so that they cook in about the same amount of time.
- Your greens can be cleaned and prepped up to three days before you plan to use them. Make sure the greens are dry when you store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. You can also buy a bag of pre-prepared greens to save some time.
