HOW DO YOU GET THE BITTER TASTE OUT OF TURNIP GREENS OR COLLARD GREENS? A little acid will help to cut the slightly bitter flavor of the greens (more prominent in collard greens). In this recipe I used white vinegar but you can also use apple cider or red wine vinegar. Some people add lemon juice instead of vinegar with the same results. A little heat never hurts to help with the flavor either. As I mentioned before some people cook them with red pepper flakes to give it a little bit of a kick, other people (like me!!) put hot pepper sauce on their greens once they are cooked. My grandma used to make her own hot pepper sauce which was just hot pepper-infused vinegar. That remains my favorite way to eat greens to this day!