Ella Walter
Collard greens are a classic Southern side dish and a staple in many homes. They are a dark green leafy vegetable, similar to cabbage, kale, mustard and turnips. The traditional Southern way to cook collard greens is to braise them in a rich broth, which can be made from chicken or vegetable stock, or even just water. The greens are often cooked with smoked meats, such as ham hocks, smoked turkey wings or legs, or bacon, which add tons of flavour to the dish. The meat is then shredded and added back into the pot for serving. This dish can be made in a slow cooker or crockpot, which is a hands-off way to cook collard greens, and takes around 4-6 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Collard greens, smoked ham hocks, smoked turkey wings, chicken stock or broth, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, butter, herb seasoning, sweetener, broth paste, sugar, cornbread, vinegar, ham, bacon, pork, beef broth, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, red onion, chicken broth, canned chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, crumbled bacon, bacon grease, black-eyed peas, chicken thighs, ham dinner, white rice, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, potato salad, green beans |
| Prep work | Wash and chop collard greens, remove stems, cut up greens, add ingredients to crockpot, cook for 4-6 hours |
| Serving | 6-8 people |
| Nutrition facts | Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 346mg, Potassium: 324mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 2043IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 111mg, Iron: 1mg |
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What You'll Learn
Prep and cooking time
Preparing the ingredients for Southern-style collard crock pot will take around 15 to 30 minutes. If you are using pre-washed and chopped collard greens, this will save you a lot of time. You can also buy pre-washed and chopped greens in a bag. Otherwise, you will need to wash the greens thoroughly and cut them into strips or slices.
The collard greens should be placed in a slow cooker with other ingredients such as smoked turkey wings, chicken stock or broth, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, ham hocks, butter, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Some recipes suggest adding olive oil or butter to the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the other ingredients.
The collard greens will then need to be cooked in the slow cooker for approximately 4 to 6 hours on a high setting. On a stovetop, this recipe would take around 2 hours. The collard greens are ready when they are tender.
You can make the collard greens up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate them in the slow cooker insert or an airtight container. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Ingredients
Collard greens are a Southern staple and are best paired with comfort food sides and mains. They are a classic Southern side dish and are usually served with cornbread.
- Smoked ham hocks or other smoked meat like bacon, smoked turkey wings, legs, or chopped smoked ham.
- Fresh collard greens, about 12 cups, chopped with end stems removed.
- Onion, preferably red onion sliced into thin rings.
- Olive oil or butter.
- Chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Vinegar, preferably apple cider vinegar.
- Garlic cloves, minced.
- Red pepper flakes.
- Herb seasoning.
- Sweetener.
- Broth paste.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
You can also add a splash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to make it vegetarian.
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Step-by-step cooking instructions
Step 1: Prepare the collard greens
Wash the collard greens thoroughly. You can do this by rinsing them several times to ensure they are clean. Then, cut the thick centre stalks away from the collard greens and set the leafy greens aside.
Step 2: Cut the greens
Stack about 7 leaves on top of one another, roll up the leaves, then slice the leaves into 0.5-inch-thick slices. Alternatively, you can fold and roll the leaves and slice them in a similar way to how you would julienne basil.
Step 3: Prepare the crockpot
Add the ham hocks, smoked turkey wings, or bacon to the bottom of the crockpot. You can also add olive oil or butter to the bottom of the pot. Place half of the greens in the crockpot, then top with half of the seasonings and onion. Add the remaining greens and top with the rest of the seasonings and onion. You can also add garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
Step 4: Cook the greens
Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 4-6 hours or until the greens are tender. If using a slow cooker, you can cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Step 5: Prepare the meat
Once the greens are tender, remove the ham hocks or other meat and place them in a small bowl. Shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin, and add the meat back to the crockpot.
Step 6: Season to taste
Before serving, taste the greens and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, sugar, or vinegar to suit your taste.
Step 7: Serve
Serve the collard greens with cornbread, mac and cheese, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, or other Southern sides. Enjoy!
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Serving suggestions
Southern-style collard crock pot is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for sharing with family and friends. While it's delicious on its own, there are several sides and mains you can pair it with to create a true Southern feast. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Beans and Peas: Slow cooker black-eyed peas are a classic pairing for collard greens and are believed to bring good luck and prosperity when served together on New Year's Day. You can also serve them with pinto beans for a milder flavor.
Hearty Mains: Crockpot collard greens make a great side for hearty mains like chicken thighs, ham, or even hamburger steaks. The salty, savory flavors of the collard greens complement the protein-rich mains beautifully.
Carbs: For a simple base to soak up all the delicious pot likker (broth), try serving steamed white rice or creamy crockpot mac and cheese. Cornbread, a Southern classic, is also a must-have side to complete the meal. You can bake a batch of slow cooker cornbread or make mini cornbread muffins for a cute presentation.
Vegetables: If you're looking for additional vegetable sides, consider skillet cornbread, biscuits and gravy, potato salad, or green beans. Collard greens also go well with other Southern favorites like mashed potatoes.
Condiments: To add a little extra kick to your collard greens, serve them with a splash of pepper vinegar or Tabasco sauce. You can also offer minced onion and extra vinegar on the side for those who want to enhance the tanginess of the dish.
With these serving suggestions, you can create a well-rounded and flavorful meal centered around your Southern-style collard crock pot. Enjoy the warmth and comfort of good food shared with loved ones!
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Storage and reheating
Storing and reheating Southern-style collard crock pot is a simple process. If you're storing cooked collard greens, they will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, but no more than 3 to 4 days is preferable. To freeze cooked collard greens, first, blanch them by plunging them into boiling water for three minutes, then immediately into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. This will help preserve their colour and flavour. Dry off any excess moisture, then transfer the greens to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer.
When you're ready to enjoy your collard greens again, simply take them out of the freezer and reheat them. The best way to reheat cooked collard greens is to pour them into a pot and place the pot on medium heat. Heat them until they reach your desired temperature. This method ensures that your collard greens are heated through and retain their flavour and texture.
If you're reheating a large batch of collard greens, you can also use an oven. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the collard greens in a baking dish, adding a little water to the bottom of the dish to prevent them from drying out. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 to 2 hours, or until the collard greens are heated through.
For smaller portions, you can also use a microwave. Place the collard greens in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of water, and cover the dish with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through.
With proper storage and reheating techniques, you can enjoy your Southern-style collard crock pot multiple times and still retain its delicious flavour and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need collard greens, smoked ham hocks or another type of smoked meat, broth, vinegar, and seasonings such as red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. You can also add onion, butter, garlic cloves, and sweetener.
It takes approximately 4 to 6 hours to cook collard greens in a crockpot on high. On the stovetop, it takes about 2 hours.
Wash the collard greens thoroughly and remove the hard stem ends. You can then chop the greens into strips or slices before adding them to the crockpot.
