Southern Collard Greens
Mouthwatering collard greens are the essence of Southern cuisine! Slow-cooked to perfection with smoked ham hocks - they're addictively delicious!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions finely chopped
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- 6-8 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 3 containers chicken broth (32 oz. each)
- 3 lbs. collard greens washed, trimmed and roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Combine the onions, ham hocks, and garlic in a large stockpot. Add the chicken broth. Cook the mixture over medium heat until meat is falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
- Stir in the collard greens, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper into the broth mixture. Cook until the greens have reached the desired tenderness, about 2 hours.
- Discard bones and serve immediately.
Notes
- Turkey necks or a smoked turkey leg can be substituted for the ham hocks. Instead of 2 hours of cook time with the onions, garlic, and chicken broth, cook for 1 hour or until the meat is falling off the bone.
- This can also be made in a slow cooker! Do step 1 overnight (or about 8 hours) in the slow cooker on low, then in the morning, do step 2 on low (6-8 hours) until dinner time.
To store leftover Southern Collard Greens properly:
- Cool Down: Allow the collard greens to cool to room temperature before storing them.
- Refrigerate: Transfer the cooled collard greens to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Label and Date: Label the container or bag with the contents and the date to keep track of freshness.
- Refrigeration: Store the collard greens in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing (Optional): If you want to extend the shelf life further, you can freeze the collard greens. Portion them into smaller containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Frozen collard greens can last for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
- Thawing and Reheating: When ready to enjoy the leftovers, thaw frozen collard greens in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat them gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also reheat them in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, covering them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Nutrition
Serving: 8g | Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 285mg | Potassium: 584mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 8557IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 416mg | Iron: 2mg
