Tiffany Haney
Cooking greens in a crock pot is a great way to prepare a classic Southern dish with minimal effort. The slow cooker method allows greens to cook low and slow, infusing them with flavour and tenderness. While there is no set time limit, collard greens, a popular choice, typically take around 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low to reach the desired texture. This flexible cooking time makes crock pots ideal for preparing greens in advance for holiday gatherings or weeknight dinners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of greens | Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, spinach, swiss chard |
| Preparation | Wash greens, remove stems, chop greens |
| Additional ingredients | Onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, smoked meat (ham hocks, turkey legs, bacon, chicken), broth |
| Cooking time | 3-4 hours on high, 6-8 hours on low, or overnight |
| Serving suggestions | Cornbread, black-eyed peas, barbecue, Southern-inspired meals |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot collard greens
Collard greens are a leafy dark green vegetable with tough stems that need to be removed before cooking. They are related to cabbage, kale, mustard greens, and turnips. Collard greens are a Southern staple, often served with comfort foods like black-eyed peas, pinto beans, and cornbread.
To cook collard greens in a crockpot, start by washing the greens and removing the stems. You can either chop the greens into strips or julienne them. Some people recommend washing the greens in a sink full of water with baking soda, then rinsing with cold water.
Next, add the greens to your crockpot. You can also add onion, garlic, salt, and sugar to taste. Pour in some apple cider vinegar and broth. If you're using smoked meat like ham hocks, turkey legs, or turkey necks, rinse it off and place it on top of the greens.
Cook the collard greens on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the greens are tender. If you're using canned collard greens, you can reduce the cooking time to 1.5 to 2 hours on HIGH.
Once the greens are tender, remove the smoked meat, shred it, and stir it back into the crockpot. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Some people also like to add a splash of pepper vinegar before serving.
Your crockpot collard greens are now ready to be enjoyed! This dish is perfect for holiday gatherings, Sunday brunch, or busy weeknights.
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How to prepare greens for a crockpot
Preparing greens in a crockpot is a great way to get tasty, tender greens with minimal effort. It's a classic Southern dish that's perfect for holiday seasons, Sunday brunch, or busy weeknights. Here's how to prepare greens for a crockpot:
Wash and Prepare the Greens
Firstly, wash the greens. Even if they are pre-washed, it is recommended to wash them again. Fill a clean sink with cold water and add the greens. Mix them with your hands for a few minutes, then remove the greens and drain the water. Repeat this process until the greens are clean. Rinse and pat them dry. Next, remove any large stems and slice the greens into one-inch pieces. If you are using collard greens, fold each leaf in half over the stem and slice along the stem to remove it. Then, stack the leaves and roll them up before slicing them into thin strips.
Prepare the Meat
If you are adding meat, rinse off the smoked meat. You can use smoked ham hocks, smoked turkey legs, or bacon for a meaty dish. For a vegetarian option, you can add liquid smoke or smoked paprika to give that smoky flavor.
Prepare the Crockpot
Add the greens to the crockpot. You can also add onion, garlic, salt, and sugar to taste. If you want to add meat, place it on top of the greens. Pour in the broth and apple cider vinegar.
Cooking Time
Cook the greens on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the greens are tender. If you are in a hurry, you can cook them on the stovetop, which takes about 2 hours. If you want to cook them overnight, you can simmer them on low for around 8 hours.
Final Touches
Once the greens are tender, remove the meat, shred it, and stir it back into the crockpot. Add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. You can also add more vinegar to taste—this will add a tangy flavor and help break down the greens into more tender bites.
Your crockpot greens are now ready to serve! They go well with cornbread, black-eyed peas, or pork. Enjoy!
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How long to cook greens on a stovetop
When cooking greens on a stovetop, it's important to note that different types of greens have different cooking times. For example, collard greens take longer to cook than chard, kale, turnip, or mustard greens.
To cook collard greens on a stovetop, start by rinsing and trimming the greens. Fill a large pot halfway with water and place the ham shanks into the water, along with the greens. Bring the water to a gentle boil and once the greens start to wilt, transfer them to a slow cooker. You can also add ingredients like jalapeno, baking soda, olive oil, pepper, and garlic powder.
For chard, kale, turnip, or mustard greens, heat bacon fat in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions in the bacon fat for about 5 minutes until the edges start to brown. Next, add the ham hock, smashed garlic, chicken stock, and water, bringing it to a simmer. Cover and cook for about an hour before adding the greens. Cook for another 30 minutes until the greens are tender.
The total cooking time for collard greens on a stovetop can be around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, while for chard, kale, turnip, or mustard greens, the total cooking time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
It's worth noting that greens cooked on a stovetop can be served with vinegar and hot sauce, and the potlikker, or the smoky soup at the bottom of the pot, is also considered a delicacy.
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What to serve with crockpot greens
Crockpot greens are a classic Southern dish, often made with collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale greens, or spinach. They are typically cooked with smoked meat, such as ham hocks, turkey legs, or bacon, and seasoned with onion, garlic, salt, and sugar.
When it comes to serving crockpot greens, there are several delicious options to choose from:
Beans and Peas
Slow cooker black-eyed peas are a classic pairing with crockpot greens, especially on New Year's Day, symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Pinto beans are another excellent option if you prefer something milder.
Hearty Mains
Crockpot greens make a great side dish for hearty mains such as crockpot chicken thighs or a ham dinner. The smoky flavor of the greens complements the protein-rich mains perfectly.
Carbohydrates
To round out your meal, include some carbohydrates like steamed white rice or creamy crockpot mac and cheese. Cornbread is also a must-have for a complete Southern meal. You can make a batch of slow cooker cornbread or bake mini cornbread muffins to go with your greens.
Other Southern Sides
If you're looking for more sides to accompany your crockpot greens, try skillet cornbread, biscuits and gravy, potato salad, green beans, or any of your other favorite Southern sides.
Drinks
Don't forget to save the delicious broth, or pot liquor, that forms while cooking the greens. This flavorful liquid can be enjoyed as a drink on its own or used to dunk cornbread into for an extra tasty treat.
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How to cook greens in an Instant Pot
Cooking greens in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to make a classic Southern side dish. The process is simple and involves just a few steps.
First, prepare your greens. Whether you're using bagged or loose-leaf greens, it's important to wash them thoroughly. For bagged greens, give them a quick rinse and remove any large stems. Loose-leaf greens may need to be soaked and rinsed a few times to ensure they're clean. Once they're clean, remove the tough stems and veins, then chop the greens into one-inch pieces.
Next, add your greens to the Instant Pot. You can fill it up quite a bit as greens tend to "cook down" and shrink during the cooking process. Just be sure to stay below the maximum fill line. For a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot, one recipe recommends using four bunches of greens.
Now, it's time to add your flavourings. You can add onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, and sugar if desired. If you're using smoked meat like ham hocks, turkey legs, or bacon, rinse it off and add it on top of the greens. You can also add spices like red pepper flakes or hot pepper sauce to give your greens a kick.
Close the lid and seal the valve. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for about 10 minutes for perfectly tender greens. Collard greens, which are thicker and tougher, may need a little longer, around 4 minutes on high pressure. If you're using other types of greens, adjust the cooking time accordingly. For example, kale and turnip greens may need 3 minutes, while beet greens need only 2 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up, you can do a quick release by turning the valve to venting. Be aware that a vigorous fountain of steam will be released, so you may want to do this near an open window! Then, remove the lid and stir the contents to mix everything together. Taste and adjust your seasoning with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed.
And that's it! You now have a delicious batch of greens that can be enjoyed as a side or added to your meals throughout the week.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately 4-6 hours on high heat and 6-8 hours on low heat.
The minimum cooking time is 3 hours on high heat or 6 hours on low heat.
Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, spinach, and Swiss chard can all be cooked in a crock pot.
Ingredients such as onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, smoked meat, and broth can be added to greens in a crock pot.
