Southern Collard Greens Recipe

Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Bacon is the side dish every table needs! Tender greens are simmered in a flavor-packed broth for a southern favorite!

Southern Collard Greens with Bacon is so delicious and one of my favorite side dishes to make.

Home cooks have been boiling down greens in a large pot for generations, and serving them to their families!

Most people think southern food is fried this, fried that. And while there are plenty of fried recipes, southern food and cooking are “farm to table.” The American South has a rich history of farm-to-table movement before it was a thing in restaurants!

In North Carolina, we have greens growing all over the state! And at any time during the year, we can find turnip greens, mustard greens, or any other leafy green vegetable in our grocery store from a farm just down the road.

Southern Collard Greens Recipe

These authentic Soul Food Collard Greens are braised in a savory meat flavored and perfectly spiced pot liquor resulting in an amazing tender silky texture. Serve with cornbread or candied yams for a true downhome meal. Looking for the real deal? This is a true Southern’s dream!

Prep: 30min

Total: 195min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 88 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 19 mg, Sodium 936 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 6 small bunches collard greens (about 3 – 3 1/2 lbs)
• 1 extra large smoked ham hock (make sure it is meaty!)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp bacon grease
• 1 tbsp seasoned salt
• 2 tsp worcheshire sauce
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (you can go down on this to 1/2 teaspoon if you like less heat.)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion

Instruction:

1. Start by pulling and tearing greens away from stems. Take a hand full of greens, roll them up and cut the rolls horizontally into small pieces. We personally remove the stems but this is a personal decision.
2. Next, add greens to empty clean sink and wash them removing all grit, sand and debris thoroughly with cold water until water becomes clear.
3. Next rinse the ham hock very well then add to a large pot along with enough water to fully submerge the ham hock then cover with a lid. Cook over medium high heat for about 45 minutes or until ham hock is near being tender.
4. Once ham hock is almost tender, add greens and about 4-5 additional cups of water or enough to just barely cover greens to the pot. This will become your pot likker.
5. Add along the rest of the ingredients to the pot and cook while covered for at least 2 hours or until completely tender. Most water should have evaporated by this point just having enough to barely cover the greens.

Southern Collard Greens

How to make the best Southern Collard Greens! Full of flavorful ingredients and easy to make

Prep: 60min

Total: 120min

Yield: 5

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 2 bunches fresh collard greens ( (see note))
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup finely diced onions
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4-5 cups chicken broth ((can replace 1 cup with water if desired))
• 1 fully-cooked smoked turkey leg or wing ((about 13 oz))
• 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
• Applewood smoked salt & black pepper, to season

Instruction:

1. Tear the greens into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
2. Serve collard greens with pieces of the smoked turkey leg and hot sauce if desired.

Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Bacon

Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Bacon is the side dish every table needs! Tender greens are simmered in a flavor-packed broth for a southern favorite!

Prep: 10min

Total: 2h10min

Yield: 10

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. Collard Green Leaves (washed and rinsed clean of any sand or debris)
• 6 Bacon slices, diced
• 1 large Sweet Onions, diced
• 6 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock (low-sodium)
• 4 Garlic Cloves, chopped
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 TBS Brown Sugar

Instruction:

1. Wash and chop your greens.
2. To a large dutch oven or pot, fry up the 6 slices of bacon. Set the bacon aside.
3. Use the bacon frease to saute your diced large sweet onion.
4. Pour in your 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock, and 4 chopped garlic cloves. Seasoned with 2 teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of pepper.
5. Once your pot likker is to taste, add in your chopped greens. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes before stirring.
6. After the greens have boiled down a bit, and you can stir them around the pot, add back in your chopped bacon.
7. Simmer the collard greens on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
8. Stir 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and serve as a garnish.

Southern Collard Greens w/Smoked Turkey Legs | Collard Greens Recipe

FAQ

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