The Best Collard Greens Recipe - From the Queen of Soul Food Cooking (2024)

A good Soul Food Collard Greens Recipe is something every family should have. Why? Because when cooked in the right way collard greens tastes so delicious and satisfying and will keep you coming back for more. Soul Food Greens are loaded with flavor from the smoky meat to the salty rich broth and the spicy seasoning. They are cooked long and slow to allow all of these flavors to reach perfection. Collard greens are a delicious side dish that is great to eat for holidays or any day of the week.

History of Collard Greens

Southern-style collard greens or Southern Collard Greens, as some call them, have a long history, stretching back centuries in Africa. Enslaved Africans, brought these dark green leafy greens over from Africa, planting them in the Southern soil. Collard greens took root, becoming a beloved crop and a vital source of food. Collard greens, which are a part of the cabbage family, consist of green leaves that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are also a good source of fiber, a delicious side for holiday or any day of the week.

How To Make Collard Greens

Every family’s collard greens recipe is different. I make my recipe the same way my mom made hers and her mom made hers. I start with fresh collard greens and I trim them by removing the tough stems. I then thoroughly wash them to remove the debris from the growing field. Bags of greens can be used as an alternative to fresh. After the greens are washed and cleaned it is now time to get all the other ingredients prepared and ready. I cut my onions and garlic then measure out my seasoning and vinegar. Now the only thing left is to cook my greens to perfection.

Another key in preparing to cook greens is the use of meat. While green can be cooked without meat as a vegan/vegetarian option, It is traditionally cooked with meat. Traditionally, I use ham hocks, smoked turkey (a non-pork option) or slices bacon. Using meat to cook with your greens have several benefits. Meat enhances the flavor of greens that helps to balance any bitterness. Meat also helps to tenderize the greens and it adds texture to the greens.

Watch the Video for Collard Greens Recipe

Ingredients

Bunches Collard Greens, Chicken Broth, Water, Garlic Cloves, Onion, Smoked Turkey Wing, White Vinegar, Salt, Black Pepper and red pepper flakes (hot sauce as an option).

2. Cutting the Collard Greens

Use a sharp knife to remove the stems from the greens. Roll the leaves like a cigar then cut them into small pieces. Place the greens in cool water, clean them then rinse them well.

3. Cooking Your Greens

Using medium-high heat, bring your Dutch oven to temperature then pour the chicken broth and water into the pot. Bring the liquid to a light boil. Add your turkey, onion and garlic then reduce to medium heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the greens then cover and simmer for ten minutes continuing to cook on medium heat. After ten minutes remove the lid then season with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Add the vinegar, mix well then cover and cook on low heat for one hour.

After one hour remove your turkey from the pot and cool for 5 minutes before shredding. Return the shredded turkey to the pot and cook for an additional 15 minutes before serving.

Serve your green as a side dish or you can enjoy them alone in a bowl with the smoked meat and the pot liquor (pot likker) and a healthy slice of cornbread. However you choose to eat them I hope you enjoy this delicious collard greens recipe!

What to Serve with Collard Greens (Collard Greens Recipe)

Collard greens are a popular food in the Southern United States. They are served as a side dish with other soul food dishes, such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese , black-eyed peas, candied yams and cornbread. They can also stand alone as the perfect side dish. Greens are also a popular ingredient in soups and stews. I eat collard greens regularly whether alone or with other leafy greens such as kale, mustard greens and turnip greens. I prepare and cook my mixed greens the same as I do the collard. Mixed greens are equally as flavorful and nutrient as collard alone once you find your perfect blend.

Health benefits to collard greens

They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and they may offer a number of health benefits.

• May help improve heart health. Collard greens are a good source of fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels. They are also a good source of vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting.
• May help boost the immune system. Greens are a good source of vitamin C, which is an important nutrient for the immune system. Vitamin C helps the body fight off infection.
• May help improve vision. Collard greens are a good source of vitamin A, which is important for vision. Vitamin A helps the body produce rhodopsin, a protein that is essential for night vision.
• May help with weight loss. Greens are a low-calorie food that is high in fiber. Fiber can help you feel full and satisfied after eating, which can help you eat less and lose weight.

Collard Greens Recipe

2.6 from 8 votes

Recipe by Soul Food CookingCourse: MainCuisine: Soul Food, Southern, AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 4-10oz bags Collard Greens

• 1 Smoked Turkey Wing

• 8 Cups Chicken Broth

• ½ Cup Onion

• 3 cloves. Garlic

• 4 Tbsps Vinegar

• 4 Cups Water

• 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

• 2 tsps Salt

• 1 tsp Black Pepper

Directions

• Pour the chicken broth and water into your pot then bring liquid to a light boil
• Add your turkey, onion and garlic then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add the greens then cover and simmer for ten minutes.
• After ten minutes remove the lid then season with your salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
• Add the vinegar, mix well then cover and cook on low heat for one hour.
• After one hour remove your turkey from the pot and cool for 5 minutes before shredding.
• Return the shredded turkey to the pot and cook for an additional 15 minutes before serving.

Tags

soul food recipes