The Soulful Collard Greens With Ham Hocks Recipe You’ll Love

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement when collard greens with ham hocks arrive at the table, promising a hearty comfort dish that connects generations.

Grandmothers across the South have perfected this traditional recipe through decades of careful cooking.

Tender leaves absorb rich, smoky flavors from slow-simmered ham hocks, creating a mouthwatering side that speaks to cultural heritage.

Nutrient-packed greens blend seamlessly with the robust meat, offering a balanced and satisfying experience.

Careful seasoning transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable culinary journey that honors classic Southern cooking techniques.

Absolutely delicious and deeply satisfying, you won’t be able to resist this soulful preparation that brings warmth to any meal.

Dive into this authentic recipe and savor every delectable bite.

Collard Greens with Ham Hocks That Satisfy

• Savor Southern Comfort: Dive into a classic Southern dish that brings warmth and rich flavors to your table, perfect for those craving a hearty, traditional meal.
• Nutrient-Packed Powerhouse: Collard greens deliver an incredible boost of vitamins and minerals, making this recipe a delicious way to enjoy a super-healthy green.
• Slow-Cooked Satisfaction: The long, gentle cooking process allows ham hocks to infuse the greens with deep, smoky flavor, creating a mouthwatering side dish that's packed with soul-warming goodness.
• Stress-Free Cooking: Minimal ingredients and simple preparation mean anyone can master this recipe, whether you're a cooking novice or a seasoned home chef.

Ingredients for Flavorful Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

• Collard Greens: Fresh leafy greens with a robust flavor and excellent nutritional profile.
• Ham Hocks: Flavorful pork cut that adds rich, smoky taste to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base that helps tenderize and infuse flavor into the greens.

• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor base that builds depth and complexity in the dish.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and spicy kick to the collard greens.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and prevent sticking to the pot.

How to Cook Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Perfectly

Step 1: Wash and Slice Collard Greens

Clean the collard greens carefully under running cold water, removing any dirt or debris. Cut away the tough central stems and chop the leafy parts into comfortable bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and look appetizing on the plate.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a spacious cooking pot over medium warmth. Toss in finely chopped onions and cook until they become soft and translucent.

Add minced garlic and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, stirring until the kitchen fills with a delicious fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Introduce Ham Hocks and Broth

Gently place ham hocks into the pot with the sautéed aromatics.

Pour chicken broth over the ingredients, creating a flavorful liquid base. Bring the mixture to a gentle rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer.

Allow the ham hocks to cook and release their rich, smoky flavor for approximately one hour.

Step 4: Cook Collard Greens to Perfection

Add the prepared collard greens to the pot, nestling them into the broth and around the ham hocks.

Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and continue cooking on low heat. Let the greens simmer and become tender, which typically takes about 30 minutes.

The greens will absorb the delicious ham and broth flavors during this time.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the ham hocks from the pot.

If desired, shred the meat and return it to the greens. Transfer the collard greens to a serving dish, allowing the excess liquid to drain slightly.

The result is a hearty, flavorful Southern-style side dish that pairs wonderfully with cornbread or rice.

Tips to Achieve Tender and Flavorful Collard Greens

• Wash greens meticulously to remove any dirt or grit for a clean, fresh taste.
• Choose young, smaller collard leaves for more tender and less bitter results.
• Use smoked ham hocks for deeper, richer flavor that enhances the overall dish.
• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the flavors and cut through the richness.
• For a vegetarian version, replace ham hocks with smoked paprika and liquid smoke to maintain a similar depth of flavor.

Creative Variations on Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

• Vegetarian Southern Greens: Replace ham hocks with smoked tofu or tempeh for a plant-based protein alternative, maintaining the traditional flavor profile with liquid smoke and vegetable broth.
• Spicy Caribbean Greens: Swap ham hocks for spicy andouille sausage and add scotch bonnet peppers to create a bold, Caribbean-inspired version with intense heat and depth.
• Low-Sodium Herb Greens: Use turkey ham or lean Canadian bacon, reduce broth salt content, and incorporate fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary for a lighter, more aromatic preparation.
• Keto-Friendly Greens: Eliminate broth, use bone broth instead, add extra bacon pieces, and increase olive oil for a high-fat, low-carb version that fits ketogenic dietary requirements.

Pairings That Go Well with Collard Greens and Ham Hocks

• Southern-style cornbread complements the rich, savory flavors of collard greens with its slightly sweet and crumbly texture, creating a perfect balance on the plate.
• Refreshing, ice-cold sweet tea cuts through the hearty greens' richness, providing a crisp and cooling contrast that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Soft, flaky buttermilk biscuits soak up the delicious pot likker from the collard greens, offering a delightful way to enjoy every last bit of flavor.
• A classic bourbon cocktail like an Old Fashioned adds depth and warmth, echoing the smoky notes from the ham hocks and bringing a sophisticated touch to the meal.

Storage Ideas for Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

• Refrigerate: Store leftover collard greens in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled greens to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Microwave Reheat: Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Stovetop Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• Are collard greens nutritious?

Collard greens are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and fiber. They’re low in calories and high in antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

• Can I use smoked turkey instead of ham hocks?

Yes, smoked turkey is a great lean alternative that still provides rich, smoky flavor to the dish. It works well for those looking to reduce fat or pork consumption.

• How do I prevent collard greens from being bitter?

Cooking them slowly with a bit of acid like vinegar or salt helps reduce bitterness. The long simmering process in this recipe naturally breaks down the bitter compounds, creating a more mellow taste.

Collard Greens With Ham Hocks Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Soul-satisfying Collard Greens with Ham Hocks delivers Southern comfort on a plate. Slow-simmered greens and smoky pork create a hearty dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) ham hocks (smoked preferred)
• 2 lbs (907 g) fresh collard greens
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

1. Cleanse collard greens meticulously under cold running water, stripping away rigid central stems and fragmenting leafy sections into manageable morsels.
2. Heat olive oil in a capacious cooking vessel, sautéing onions until they transform into a translucent, glassy state with aromatic undertones.
3. Incorporate minced garlic and fiery red pepper flakes, allowing flavors to intensify and permeate the culinary foundation.
4. Nestle ham hocks into the aromatic mixture, carefully pouring chicken broth to create a robust liquid environment.
5. Elevate temperature to induce a gentle bubbling, then reduce heat and allow the ham hocks to simmer luxuriously for approximately 60 minutes, developing deep, complex flavors.
6. Introduce chopped collard greens into the liquid landscape, ensuring complete submersion and coverage with the lid.
7. Continue gentle simmering for an additional 30 minutes, permitting greens to tenderize and absorb the rich, smoky essence of the ham hocks.
8. Verify tenderness by testing greens with a fork, ensuring they’ve reached a perfect, yielding consistency without losing structural integrity.

Notes

• Wash greens meticulously to remove any hidden dirt or grit, ensuring a clean and crisp base for your dish.
• For tender, melt-in-your-mouth collards, slice stems at an angle to maximize flavor absorption and reduce cooking time.
• Vegetarian alternative works perfectly by swapping ham hocks with smoked paprika or liquid smoke for that rich, deep flavor profile.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and selecting a leaner ham hock, maintaining the recipe’s soul without overwhelming salt content.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg