Collard Greens and Ham Hocks
This soul food Collard Greens recipe features slow simmered greens with smoked ham hocks, onions, seasonings, and a dash of red pepper flakes. It's a quintessential Southern comfort food dish that will transport you to a cozy Sunday dinner at grandma's house.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 330kcal
Ingredients
- 2 smoked ham hocks alternatively, you can use smoked neck bones, smoked turkey wings, turkey necks, or tails
- ½ yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt or as needed
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt start with less and adjust to taste if using any other type of salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 bunches of collard greens trimmed, chopped, and washed
Instructions
- Place ham hocks in a medium stock pot and cover with water two inches above the hocks.
- Stir in onion, seasoned salt, chicken bouillon, black pepper, kosher salt, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and red pepper flakes.
- Pour in Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat for 45 minutes or until the hocks are fall-apart tender.
- Meanwhile, pick and wash the collard greens, and cut them to the desired size.
- After 45 minutes, remove ham hocks from the pot and shred the meat; add ham hock meat back to pot and discard the bones.
- Place collard greens in pot, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 1 hour until the greens are tender.
- Ladle collards with a bit of ham hock meat and liquid broth (potlikker) onto a bowl or plate, and serve hot.
Notes
- Choosing Fresh Greens: Look for leaves that are firm and have a deep green color. Avoid wilted or yellowing leaves.
- Thorough Washing: Wash the greens thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.
- Cutting Collard Greens: Cut into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Remove and discard any tough stems to enhance the texture of the dish.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: Tailor the amount of seasonings to your spice preference. If you prefer milder greens, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes, or omit them altogether.
- Cooking Time for Tender Greens: Pay attention to the cooking time after adding the collard greens. Simmering for one hour is a general guideline, but adjust as needed to achieve your desired level of tenderness.
- Potlikker: Save the flavorful liquid, known as potlikker, for serving. It’s a concentrated broth packed with flavor. Drizzle a bit over the collard greens when serving for an extra burst of taste.
- Customizing with Additional Meats: For added variety, consider incorporating other meats such as smoked turkey, bacon, or sausage along with or instead of ham hocks.
Nutrition
Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 3383mg | Potassium: 608mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4854IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 2mg
