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Best Collard Greens Recipe

Collard Greens Recipe

Collard greens are a Southern classic, slow-cooked to tender perfection with smoked meat and savory seasonings. This Best Collard Greens Recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Serve them with your favorite main dishes for a complete meal packed with comforting flavors!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon or ladle
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Slotted spoon

Ingredients
  

For the Collard Greens:

  • 2 large bunches of collard greens
  • 1 smoked ham hock
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or bacon grease

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Crumbled bacon
  • Hot sauce
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions
 

  • 1. Prepare the Collard Greens
    Wash the collard greens thoroughly, making sure to remove all dirt. Cut out the tough stems, then stack the leaves, roll them up, and slice them into ribbons.
    2. Sauté the Aromatics
    Heat olive oil or bacon grease in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring to prevent burning.
    3. Add the Smoked Meat
    Add the smoked ham hock or smoked turkey wing to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes to let the meat release its flavor.
    4. Cook the Collard Greens
    Add the chopped collard greens to the pot, stirring until they begin to wilt slightly. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the greens are mostly submerged in the liquid.Add the apple cider vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
    5. Simmer the Collard Greens
    Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the collard greens simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally.If the greens start to dry out, add more chicken broth or water.
    6. Serve the Collard Greens
    Remove the smoked meat from the pot, shred the meat from the bone, and stir it back into the greens.Serve the collard greens hot, garnished with crumbled bacon, hot sauce, or lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

  • Smoked Meat Alternatives: If you don’t have a ham hock or smoked turkey, you can use smoked sausage, bacon, or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian version.
  • Adjusting the Heat: If you like your collard greens spicy, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or serve them with a dash of hot sauce.
  • Cooking Time: The longer you cook the collard greens, the more tender and flavorful they become. If you prefer softer greens, let them simmer for up to 90 minutes.
  • Make-Ahead Option: Collard greens taste even better the next day! Make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat them before serving.
  • Bacon Grease: For added flavor, use bacon grease in place of olive oil when sautéing the onions and garlic.
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