Southern Comfort Free recipe

Collard Greens

Few Southern dishes are as reliable as Collard Greens: slow-simmered collard greens with smoky ham and a hint of vinegar. A gentle simmer -- not a hard boil -- is what keeps everything tender instead of tough.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Total: 75 min

75Minutes

6Servings

4.6Rating

EasyLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

A short, straightforward ingredient list with no special equipment needed.
The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

2 lbs collard greens, stems removed and chopped
1 smoked ham hock
1 onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
4 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt to taste

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

80Calories

1gFat

4gCarbs

2gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Wash the collard leaves well and stack, roll, and slice them into ribbons.
Step 2
In a large pot, cook the onion in a little oil over medium 4 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
Step 3
Add the ham hock, broth, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.
Step 4
Stir in the collards a few handfuls at a time, letting them wilt down.
Step 5
Cover and simmer gently 45 minutes to 1 hour until the greens are silky and tender.
Step 6
Pull the meat off the ham hock and stir it back in. Season with salt and serve with the flavorful broth (potlikker).

Cook's tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.
Prep all the ingredients before you start cooking; this one moves quickly once it is on the heat.

Keep cooking