Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbspvegetable or canola oil
- 2 lbsmoked meat
such as ham hocks or turkey wings
- 1 largewhite onion
finely chopped
- 4 clovesgarlic
minced or pressed
- 1 tspred pepper flakes
- to tastekosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cchicken stock or broth
to preference
- 1 tsphot sauce
- 1 tbsppacked light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tbspapple cider vinegar
- 3 lbcollard greens- cleaned
stems removed, & then chopped into bite-sized pieces
Directions
- 1
Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, gently swirl the pot to evenly coat the bottom. Add in the smoked ham hocks/turkey wings and cook until a golden brown sear appears, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- 2
Add in the chopped onion and sauté with the meat, stirring often, until the onions soften and become tender, about 4-5 minutes. Then add in the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt/pepper-to taste, 6 cups of stock/broth, and hot sauce, and stir everything well to fully combine.
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the mixture simmer together for 1 hour, undisturbed. After simmering, the smoked meat should be falling apart, and very tender.
- 4
Carefully remove the meat from the pot and set aside to cool down for a few minutes before handling. Then use a fork or your hands (fitted with disposable gloves, if desired) to tear the meat off the bones. Discard the bones along with any excess fatty parts and add the pieces of meat back into the pot.
- 5
Add in the sugar, vinegar, and collard greens. Stir well to combine all ingredients. It may seem like a lot of greens but the greens will wilt down significantly. If you see that some of the liquid has evaporated from the first braise, add about 1-2 cups more stock/broth to replenish the pot, as you see that it’s needed and to personal preference (for more brothy liquid gold aka pot likker).
- 6
Cover the pot with a lid and let the greens braise over medium-low heat for at least another 1 – 1 ½ hours.
- 7
Taste the collard greens and adjust the seasoning to your preference with more salt/pepper and/or hot sauce, as desired. Serve these greens warm, as-is or alongside your favorite main dishes. Enjoy!
Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20220406_SL_Southern-Style-Collard-Greens_Beauty_1605-9df766d6d96a4d00aeb240165d7a0669.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/turnip-greens_batch56_2x3-162-572ab937706047088568a5c394ed0d10.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 77 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving that comforting, soulful side dish found at every true Southern gathering? This authentic Southern Collard Greens recipe delivers deeply rich, tender greens simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth that captures the heart of home cooking.
What makes this Southern Collard Greens recipe a standout is the deliberate combination of smoked meat, such as ham hocks or turkey wings, which are essential for infusing the greens with an unmatched depth of savory flavor. The slow, gentle cooking process tenderizes the collards beautifully while creating the legendary 'pot likker,' a savory broth that is the very essence of this dish.
Expect collard greens that are incredibly tender, melting in your mouth, with a complex balance of savory, smoky, and a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar, all brightened by a hint of apple cider vinegar. There's a subtle warmth from the red pepper flakes and hot sauce, which you can adjust to your liking. The texture is velvety and luscious, soaked in that irresistible, flavorful pot likker that you'll want to savor every drop of. This isn't just a side dish; it's a comforting experience, a true staple in Southern cuisine and Black culture.
Customization & Serving
Feel free to swap ham hocks for smoked turkey wings or even smoked turkey necks to achieve a similar rich, meaty flavor profile. You can easily adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and hot sauce to dial the heat up or down based on your preference. For an extra bright finish, a splash more apple cider vinegar can awaken the flavors even further.
This Southern Collard Greens recipe is the ideal accompaniment to any hearty meal, from classic fried chicken to barbecue. Don't forget to serve it with plenty of cornbread to soak up all that incredible pot likker.