She Strengthens

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens with Smoky Flavor

The Secret to Tender Greens

Cleaning and preparing 5 pounds of collard greens may seem daunting, but trust us, it’s worth the effort. With a few simple steps, you’ll be on your way to a deliciously tender and flavorful dish.

Getting Started

Begin by sautéing onions and garlic in a large pot, then add the collard greens. Yes, you read that right – precooking the greens is crucial to getting them to fit in the slow cooker. This step may seem unusual, but it’s essential for achieving tender results.

Adding Smoky Flavor

Transfer the cooked greens to the slow cooker, along with smoked ham hocks or turkey drumsticks. These ingredients will infuse the dish with a rich, meaty flavor. Walk away for 4 to 6 hours, and come back to a culinary masterpiece.

Savoring the Results

Serve your slow-cooked collard greens alongside shrimp, cornbread, or our easy Chicken Gumbo recipe. The tender leaves and flavorful potlikker will become a new favorite in your household.

Recipe Details

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 6 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 pounds smoked ham hocks or smoked turkey drumsticks
• 5 pounds collard greens (about 6 bunches)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, medium dice
• 4 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Slow Cooker
   Place the ham hocks or turkey drumsticks in a 3-quart or larger slow cooker; set aside.
2. Clean and Prepare the Greens
   Remove the collard leaves from the tough stems, discarding the stems. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces, wash, and dry them; set aside.
3. Sauté Onions and Garlic
   Heat the oil in a large, wide-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add Broth and Greens
   Increase the heat to high, add the broth or stock, and bring to a boil. Stir in the greens a handful at a time, adding more as they wilt, until they’re all in the pot.
5. Combine and Cook
   Turn off the heat, add 1 tablespoon of the vinegar, sugar, measured salt, measured pepper, and cayenne. Stir to combine, then transfer to the slow cooker. Cover and cook until the greens are very tender, about 4 to 5 hours on high or 5 to 6 hours on low.
6. Finish with Flavor
   Remove the ham hocks or turkey drumsticks to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones (discarding the skin and bones), shred it into bite-sized pieces, and stir it back into the greens. Add the remaining teaspoon of vinegar and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.