Creamy Spring Turnip Soup With Wilted Greens And Bacon
Soup
This recipe has been around for a while, I posted it here on the blog before, it’s been on Food52 for several years also. I like to make this soup every year around this time when the turnips are young and tender and mild. I went to the Farmers Market Saturday and found these beautiful Hakurei turnips, they are my favorite type of turnip because they are so tender and mild and the greens are amazing. The soup couldn’t be easier to make and it takes no time at all to prepare.
Hakurei turnips
Wine
This was a big occasion in a way, it had been a while since I could get to the green market because it was very hard to leave Nando alone. He is so fragile he could hurt himself and really dislikes being alone. he screams(cries loudly) when I am gone. It’s gotten so bad I have to have someone sit with him when I am out on appointments for work. I forgo anything recreational which includes shopping at the green market and visiting the Flea on Saturdays. I miss doing those things. To be more mobile I bought Nando a stroller, he loves it, Saturday was quite hot out so it was a bit uncomfortable for him even though I put ice packs in there with him and brought water and his bowl. Nonetheless, it was glorious getting out and shopping, I went to the green market and to the wine store to stock up. I ordered a cooling mat to put in the stroller which I think will help make it more comfortable in there for him.
Nando in the stroller
Creamy Spring Turnip Soup With Wilted Greens And Bacon
(Bacon is optional for my vegetarian friends)
Serves 4-6 depending on serving size
4 heaping cups turnips peeled and quartered (Use the small spring turnips if possible)
1 potato peeled and quartered (I used Yukon Gold and it’s Optional to use a potato)
2 cups leeks (cleaned well and sliced) or use a medium size onion or 2 shallots
4 1/2 cups broth (chicken, vegetable or water)
2 tbs butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper and a pinch of nutmeg (optional)
4-6 slices bacon
Turnip greens cleaned VERY well and chopped
In heavy sauce pan heat a little olive oil, add the leeks or onion or shalot and sweat, cook just until tender don’t brown. Add the turnips and potato, now add the liquid (broth or water). Cover and cook until the turnip and potato are tender. Let cool for about 30 minutes and blend either in your blender or use the immersion blender. Note: If using an immersion blender remove some of the liquid you don’t want the soup too thin, you can always add it back in. Add the butter and cream and season with salt and pepper and nutmeg.
Fry the bacon until crisp, remove from the fry pan and add the greens to the bacon fat, season with salt and peppper and saute until the greens are tender and wilted.
To Serve: Garnish the soup with the wilted greens and crumbled bacon.
apuginthekitchen 
Soup looks delicious, Suzanne! And I would love to hear your thoughts on the wines. Sorry that Nando is not doing well – I can quite relate to this problem as we have big health issues with our king shepherd… Keep your head up.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Shepherd. Hope that the health issue is resolved. I can’t wait to try the wine. Haven’t opened it yet but will this week.
It is wonderful that Nando could go out for a ride… The soup looks delicious, three is nothing that compares to a creamy bowl of goodness. Somehow I missed it on F52, so glad you posted it!
Thank you. yes because Nando cannot walk more than a few feet this is the only way to get him out and about. It’s hard in the heat, pugs are notoriously bad in the heat when they are healthy and Nando being a senior pug with health problems makes it even more difficult. I am hoping the cooling pad in the stroller will work.
Really wonderful looking soup. I love the addition of the bacon. Glad to hear that you’ve found a solution for taking Nando out – I’m sure he appreciates his little shopping trips… Hugo and Java send their love.
Thank you, well Nando is good for about an hour and then he starts getting agitated. The soup is really good and today was the perfect soup day, a little cool with rain. I love that kind of weather it was actually really comfortable out. Hugs to Hugo and Java.
It’s raining here since morning and looking at your soup I feel like grabbing that bowl and relishing it in this weather. …. looks comforting Suzanne. …
Thanks so much Chitra! It’s raining here also and rather cool out. Perfect soup weather.
I love your creative recipes, Suzanne! This soup looks very delicious and comforting! Thanks for sharing it 🙂
Sorry to hear that Nando isn’t doing to well. I hope he gets better soon!
Cheers!
Thank you, this soup is so simple and delicious, it’s one of my favorites and look forward to when I see the young turnips at the market, so glad I saw them Saturday. Thank you Julian.
I’m glad you got to go for a little outing with Nando. Your soup looks delicious.
Thank you Gerlinde.
So glad you found the solution to getting Nando out but being able to get out yourself. I was thinking, I don’t remember getting an invitation to the party with all that wine. Must be my postman’s fault.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Your invite is in the mail. Thank you David so good to see you. Yes it really is a wonderful thing getting mobile with Nando.
Look Delicious Suzanne!! And I too am glad that you found a good way to get Nando out and about with you, while trying to keep him comfortable!! xoxo
Thanks Amy, yes it’s so good to get out and about.
It’s so cold outside today. This soup looks and reads very comforting with cream and butter going on. Love it! Will sureky give it a try Suzanne!
It’s a wonderful soup and really don’t need the butter or cream but I like the way it rounds out the little bit of bite from the turnips. It’s cool and rainy here in NYC today, great soup weather.
😀
Fantastic recipe. I have made turnip soup but for some reason have not made it for a long time. Definitely going to make some soon especially since my turnips in the garden are just starting to get big enough to harvest.
Oh lucky you with home grown turnips. Thank you so much, I love turnips in soup.
Haven’t seen turnips in the shops as yet. And must try them in a soup. I bet they could taste great as a chilled, vegetarian soup.
So glad to hear you’ve found your solution to shopping with Nando. Bet he loves those trips.
I eat this soup chilled all the time, it’s wonderful, and minus the bacon it still works beautifully. Thanks Johnny!
This soup sounds delicious — and the beautiful photo of the way you plated it is so inviting! Suzanne, I’m so glad to hear that the stroller allowed you to do something happy. Those cool-pad things are great aren’t they? I use two different kinds i’ve found. I sleep on one (switching it out when it gets warm) and use a thinner more pliable version at my head, putting a corner of it under my temple. (Upstairs, my bedroom doesn’t get cool enough for me to sleep, yet the living area is so cold the windows fog up. Hence the cool-pads.)
Anyway i’m delighted to see this delectable post. Hugs.
Thanks Teagan, I have never used cooling pads before, can’t wait to give it a try, So they really do work I guess. Do you use those instead of AC? I have to have a cool room to sleep maybe I should try it out. Yes, it’s really nice having the stroller for Nando, I can run errands and take him with me which really helps me out a lot.
Hi. Rather than leave a long comment, i’ll email you. I meant to send a link, but don’t see it. Hugs.
Mmmmmmm, good, and good for ussince out has bacon! Could I get some smoked bratwurst subbed in as a Wisconsin variation? 😉
Sure why not, love bratwurst. Wisconsin is famous for them? I think it would taste nice in the soup, Thanks Mike.
Famous for eating them! 😃
http://www.bratfest.com/
I love the stroller!!! What a thoughtful thing to do for Nando! And this soup looks really good. Easy is perfect for my life right now 🙂
Thank you Susan, the stroller gives me peace of mind because Nando is with me and gives Nando the abilty to be outside without over taxing his weak little body.
You are such a good momma to Nando. Poor little bud. I grew up eating turnips, but my mother always fried them and I loved them. This soup looks delicious! I’ve never had them cooked this way but will be pinning it for a try.
I had turnip greens growing up but never turnips. I love the small tender mild ones they are delicious and make such a lovely soup. Thanks so much Julie.
Soup with bacon topping?? Count me in! Looks great 🙂
Lol, love the bacon. Thank you.
Haven’t seen this kind of radish around in the market, but I’ll definitely keep a lookout, this soup looks delicious! You are so sweet to Nando, he’s so lucky to have you!
Thanks so much Jasline. Nando is my sweet little boy.
Dear sweet Nando… I’m so pleased you’ve found a solution with the stroller Suzanne for getting out and about to do some of the things that you’ve been missing lately.
Love the sound of this creamy turnip soup – will be bookmarking it for spring! 🙂
Thank you so much Margot, the soup is really good and is a great way to use those delicate spring turnips.
I need to revisit the turnip. I tried it so long ago all I remember is I didn’t like them… This soup is gorgeous and how could anything bad with a little bacon!??!
I don’t like the big or more mature turnip, the flavor is a bit too strong for me, Seek out the Hakurei turnip, they are so good, a little sweet, mild and flavorful. They make an incredible soup Thanks Debbie.
Thanks for the tip! I will keep an eye out for some.
What a great soup! I don’t think I’ve ever topped one with wilted greens, but I love the idea! Thanks!
It’s wonderful Mimi, the wilted greens are delicious with the soup or on their own. The greens from the young turnips are so tender. Thank you so much.
Oh Suzanne – you are such a wonderful mom to Nando! He is so lucky to have you – great idea with the stroller, a coworker of mine has a Jack Russel with hip and back leg issues and she walks her dog in a stroller – win win for both!
Btw, this soup sounds wonderful – I’ve always been intimidated by turnips – I’ve never cooked with them ever – but this soup is making me wanna experiment.
Thank you. Neither of Nando’s back legs work well and he has a degenerative disc problem on top of arthritis in the hip and spine. Poor little guy, I have to do whatever I can to make him comfortable. The soup is really good. thanks again.
Oh. yum.
Thanks Susan.
Congrats on the win at Food 52!!! Soup looks delicious…Keeping Nando close with short stroller rides is a great idea and you get out without as much worry, for that I am so happy!
Sending some sunshine your way. Your forever Florida Bud, Cheryl xo to Nando.
Thank you so much. Can’t wait to get my cooling pad so he can stay longer in the stroller on the hot/warm summer walks.
Yes, that should really help Nando maintain a good internal temp. Animals get hot very quickly and then the panting begins, etc. I imagine he then gets agitated/frustrated just because he does not feel all that well. Let us know if the pad helps (I bet it will!).
Pugs especially have problems in heat brachycephalic dogs are prone to breathing problems and maintaining their body temp is hard. Yes I will let you know how the cooling pad works his advanced age and diabetes complicated things as well.
Thanks, very good!
Sweet Nando. I am sorry he is not doing better. You are such a good doggie momma! The soup looks great. Glad you and Nando were able to get out of the house a bit!
It’s like his Doc told me, he will not get better, it will only get worse unfortunately but I am trying to make him as comfortable as I can right now. Thanks so much Michelle.
What a great soup, Suzanne! I must find some turnips. I must try your soup! 😊
I’m so happy that you found a way to run your errands with Nando. The most important thing right now is to spend as much time as possible with him. The cooling may sounds like a brilliant solution for the hot weather! 😃
Yes the cooling mat will be great, it gets really hot inside the stroller even though there a lot of mesh or netting it’s still a nylon cocoon in navy blue so it really can get warm in there. Thanks Francesca, the soup is wonderful if you can find young turnips.
How lovely, Nando’s carriage looks perfect 🙂 I’m so glad you were both able to get out together xx
Thanks so much Elaine, I think the stroller is awesome and so happy he likes being in it.
Aww I just love Nando’s stroller. He is riding in style, the Mercedes of strollers I bet :). And I just love this soup. Believe it or not, I will eat soup even in the summer time. This looks amazing.
Kia / The House of KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
Thanks Kia, the stroller is perfect for Nando, it’s large enough that he can stretch out and lay comfortably and not confining, once I get his cooling mat we are good to go. Thank you.
The stroller sounds like a good solution for both you and Nando. I’m sure he appreciates getting out in the world once in a while. The Creamy Spring Turnip Soup looks so good I can almost taste it.
Thank you so much. Nando does love getting out of the house.
Nice soup, really like that you used the greens as well. Is there a particular reason for adding the potato?
I should have put optional by the potato, my original recipe doesn’t use. I had one potato that I needed to use so I threw it in and the soup tasted nice, the potato did not really do much at all.
Awww, sweet Nando in the stroller! What a great idea Suzanne. Just the other day I saw those cooling mats for dogs, what a great idea! Also just saw these small turnips at our co-op and imagined what to do with them. I can almost taste this delicious soup. I’ll have to go see if they still have them, I could use a good creamy soup.
Nando’s stroller is great. I am looking for a basket to attach so I can put my items that I purchase. The cooling mat will make Nando more comfortable I imagine it gets very hot for him and he tends to run hot. Thanks so much, love those little turnips.
I imagine you’re getting a few comments as people peek in to see your “baby.” 🙂 He looks as if he’s quietly enjoying himself.
This looks like a fantastic soup! I often substitute rutabagas for turnips especially if I can find tender smaller ones. I think they’re milder in flavor and a little sweeter.
LOL, yes people look in and when they see Nando some smile others give me a look like I’m nuts. Oh well, don’t care Nando likes his ride. Thanks so much.
🙂 Go Nando! 🙂
Suzanne– you are such a dear “dog mom.” Nando is getting wonderful care. — and the soup. I’ve never even heard of turnips soup, nor of those little hakurei turnips. It does look so silky delicious. thanks for taking me down a new path. You’re the best.
Rhonda, thank you so much. I am afraid I got pre occupied and I am sorry it took me so long to reply. Look for the hakurei turnips they are wonderfully mild and tender.
I have never made turnip soup, I usually end up eating them raw or just blanched. This looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try and make some! Yum 🙂
Thank you so much Petra, The turnip soup is so good hope you give it a try,
I love soups and this one looks sooo yummy… I’m gonna try it one of these days! merci & bon appétit! 🙂
Thank you so much Melanie! I love soups also this soup can be eaten chilled or hot and it’s equally good.
What a gorgeous soup Suzanne – I’m glad you re-posted it. And as for Nando – we (Lola and I) send ❤
Thank you so much Lindy and Lola for the love!!
Oh Suzanne, I have not been keeping up with anyone’s blogs recently (including my own) due to so much going on in my personal life. I’ve just seen what you are going through with Nando and I am so sorry to hear this! It must be especially hard since you just lost Izzy not too long ago.
I have only posted twice in about a month, so I truly haven’t been on much and hope you get through this as best as it can be dealt with. I will be thinking of you! xx
Btw, this soup looks insanely good!
I too have been really bad about keeping up with all the blogs I follow. I am trying to get back into it but am still a bit overwhelmed with everything. Yes I could not bear to lose Nando just a few short months after losing my Izzy, I am trying my best to make him comfortable. I need to visit your blog and see what you have been up to. I feel terrible about how delinquent I have been. Thanks so much for visiting.
The soup looks amazing….Nando looks comfy in his stroller. So good for him to get out of the house for some fresh air!
Nando likes the stroller but for short walks, I tried keeping him in it too long the other day and he wasn’t happy, it’s great for quick errand runs etc.. Thanks so much.
This sounds amazing and like a perfect comfort food. As a two-pug owner, I approve of the baby in carriage 🙂
Thank you so much and that stroller is great, I take him with when I run errands and so far I have been able to take him in the shops with no one saying no dogs allowed. I was a 2 pug house until my sweet Izzy passed a few months ago. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Mmmm…this sounds so comforting yet light and perfect for Spring! I love cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients. There’s nothing like straight from-the-farm farmer’s market produce!
I look forward to making this soup every year when the young hakurei turnips show up at the market. They are so different from the usual variety and utterly delicious. Thank you so much!
look amazing!I’m saving this recipe, Beautiful photos as always. Thanks so much for sharing this!
p.s I love bacon
Thank you so much Aaron! I love bacon too.
Hi Suzanne. If it’s okay, I’d like to link back to this recipe and lovely photo for my post on “Taste” next weekend. Send me an email if you’d rather I didn’t. Huge Sunday hugs.
Of course you can thank you so much!!! I can’t want to see what you do with taste!!❤️
Thank you! The ingredients went with my snippet.
I hope I don’t let you down. To be honest I haven’t felt that I did very well with any of these. But everyone seems to have fun, and that’s what’s important. ❤ 🙂