Southern Collard Greens Recipe
Learn how to cook collard greens the ultimate way, simmered low and slow with bacon and smoked ham for the most tender greens and rich pot likker. You'll never want them any other way.
Servings: 12
Calories: 333kcal
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of collard greens about 3 pounds
- 1 pound bacon chopped (smoked bacon is ideal)
- 1 large white onion chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers chopped - optional (use milder peppers for less heat)
- 1 pound smoked ham chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced (or more to taste)
- 12 cups chicken stock 3 quarts
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or use sugar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste I use 1 tsp each
- Hot sauce to taste a few dashes will do - use your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse and wash the collard greens to remove any grit. Trim the collard greens into ribbons and set aside.
- Heat a large pot to medium heat and add the bacon. Cook for 10 minutes, or until they begin to crisp up.
- Add the onion and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring here and there, until softened.
- Add the ham and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the chicken stock, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, chili flakes, salt and pepper, hot sauce, and reserved collard greens.
- Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, then check for tenderness. You can easily cook 1-2 hours until done to your preference. You can simmer up to 3 hours for VERY tender collard greens.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
Peppers are not traditionally used in most recipes, but I love them and add lots of them in for my own tastes.
Nutrition
Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 1089mg | Potassium: 716mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5789IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 283mg | Iron: 2mg