Ella Walter
Cooking fresh greens in a crock pot is a great way to prepare a classic Southern dish with minimal effort. The slow cooker method results in flavorful, tender greens that pair well with a variety of comfort foods. This cooking technique is especially useful for collard greens, which require a significant amount of time to soften. By using a crock pot, you can achieve perfectly cooked greens while also developing a delicious broth, known as pot likker or pot liquor, that is highly regarded for its nutritional benefits and unique flavour.
How to cook fresh greens in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Smoked meat (ham hocks, bacon, smoked turkey, or turkey legs), greens (collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, spinach, Swiss chard), onion, garlic, salt, sugar, apple cider vinegar, broth, red pepper flakes, herb seasoning, sweetener, broth paste |
| Preparation | Wash greens, remove stems, cut greens, add ingredients to crockpot, place lid on top, cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours or until tender |
| Nutrition Facts | Calories: 218-355kcal, Carbohydrates: 4-5g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 15-30g, Saturated Fat: 7-11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 62-69mg, Sodium: 346-847mg, Potassium: 324-351mg, Fiber: 1-2g, Sugar: 1-2g, Vitamin A: 2043IU-2043IU, Vitamin C: 15-19mg, Calcium: 111mg-97mg, Iron: 1mg |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping your greens
The first step to cooking greens in a crock pot is to prep your greens. Start by washing your greens thoroughly. If you're using loose leaf greens, fill your sink with cold water and add the greens. Swirl them around with your hands for a few minutes, then remove them from the water. Drain the dirty water and rinse the sink. Repeat this process until the water is clear and your greens are clean. Rinse and pat the greens dry.
Next, remove any thick stems or tough veins from the greens. You can do this by cutting or tearing the greens into strips. Removing the stems will help eliminate bitterness and create a more tender texture. After removing the stems, chop the greens into smaller pieces. You can roll up the leaves and slice them, or cut them into one-inch pieces.
If you're short on time or want to save some effort, you can buy pre-washed and chopped collard greens. Just be sure to give them an extra rinse before adding them to your crock pot.
Once your greens are cleaned, chopped, and dried, they're ready to be added to the crock pot. You can add them directly to the pot, or layer them with other ingredients like ham hocks, onions, garlic, and spices.
By taking the time to properly prep your greens, you'll ensure that your crock pot meal turns out delicious and tender.
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Choosing your meat
Meat is an essential component of a crockpot meal. It adds flavour, texture, and nutritional value to the dish. When selecting meat for your crockpot greens, there are several factors to consider to ensure you achieve the desired taste and consistency.
Firstly, decide on the type of meat you want to use. Popular options for crockpot greens include smoked meats like ham hocks, bacon, smoked turkey, or turkey legs. These meats provide a smoky flavour that pairs well with the greens. If you prefer a different taste, you can opt for pork or bacon grease, which will lend a savoury, salty element to the dish.
It's important to consider the cooking time of the meat you choose. For example, if you're using canned collard greens, which are already cooked, you might want to skip the ham hock as it requires a longer cooking time. Opting for pre-cooked meats, such as fully cooked smoked ham hocks, can save time and ensure your dish is ready when you need it.
The cut and size of the meat also matter. Selecting meat with a good amount of fat, like bacon, will contribute to a juicy, flavourful dish. Additionally, consider the ratio of meat to greens. If you prefer a heartier meal, increase the proportion of meat, or add extra meat towards the end of cooking for a more textured dish.
Lastly, think about the quality and source of your meat. Opting for organic, locally sourced meat can enhance the flavour and nutritional profile of your dish. Choosing meat from a trusted butcher or farmer's market can ensure you get a high-quality product. Remember to trim any excess fat or sinew from the meat before adding it to the crockpot for the best results.
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Layering your ingredients
Wash and Prepare the Greens:
Start by washing your greens thoroughly. Even if you are using pre-washed bagged greens, it is recommended to wash them again to ensure they are clean. Remove any large stems or thick stems—you can do this by stacking the greens, rolling them up like a cigar, and then slicing. This helps to eliminate the bitterness from the greens and makes them more tender.
Layer the Greens and Ingredients:
In your crock pot, start by adding ingredients like onions, garlic, salt, and sugar if desired. You can also add chopped onion, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar for extra flavour. Then, place the greens on top of these ingredients. You can pack the bunches of greens tightly to fit more into the crock pot.
Add Smoked Meat:
If you are using smoked meat like ham hocks, turkey legs, or bacon, rinse them off and place them on top of the greens. You can also use fully cooked smoked ham hocks or other types of meat like smoked turkey or bacon grease for added flavour.
Add Broth:
Pour broth on top of the ingredients in the crock pot. You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth, depending on your preference. The broth will help to create a tasty "pot liquor" or broth that some enjoy drinking after the meal.
Additional Ingredients:
Depending on your taste preferences, you can add various additional ingredients. These can include butter, red pepper flakes, herb seasoning, sweetener, broth paste, and salt to taste. You can also add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for a vegetarian option.
Cover and Cook:
Once you have layered all your ingredients, cover the crock pot and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. The greens are ready when they are tender.
Remember, you can adjust the ingredients and cooking time to suit your taste preferences and the specific crock pot you are using. Enjoy your delicious and tender crock pot greens!
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Cooking times and settings
The cooking time for fresh greens in a crock pot varies depending on the heat setting. On high, it will take 3 to 4 hours, while on low, it will take 6 to 8 hours. You can also cook greens in a crock pot overnight.
If you are using canned collard greens, you only need to heat them on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours.
Before cooking, it is important to wash the greens thoroughly. You can do this by filling your sink with cold water and adding the greens. Move them around with your hands for a few minutes, then remove them and drain the water. Repeat this process until the greens are clean. Rinse and pat them dry.
Next, cut off the tough stems and main veins, then chop the greens into one-inch pieces. You can also roll up the greens like a cigar and slice them.
Once your greens are prepared, place them in the crock pot with the remaining ingredients. Add broth, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt, and sugar (if using). You can also add meat, such as smoked ham hocks, bacon, or turkey legs, on top of the greens. Close the lid and set the crock pot to the desired heat setting.
After the cooking time has elapsed, remove the meat (if using) and shred it. Stir the meat back into the greens, and add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.
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Serving suggestions
Crockpot collard greens are a classic Southern dish that can be served at any time of the week. They are a great side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or a barbecue. They pair well with barbecued meat, blackened green beans and grits, sautéed sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt coleslaw, Greek yogurt broccoli salad, and scallion dill potato salad.
For a hearty meal, serve them with crockpot chicken thighs or ham dinner. For a classic New Year's combo, serve them alongside slow cooker black-eyed peas or pinto beans. They also go well with carbs like steamed white rice or a scoop of crockpot mac and cheese.
No Southern meal is complete without cornbread, so make a batch of slow cooker cornbread or bake mini cornbread muffins to go with it. You can also serve them with a wedge of cornbread to soak up all the pot likker, a delicious broth formed from the flavours of the bacon, ham, and spices.
For a vegetarian option, leave out the ham hocks and add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika. You can also make the dish vegan by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
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