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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Cleanse collard greens meticulously under cold running water, stripping away rigid central stems and fragmenting leafy sections into manageable morsels.
- Heat olive oil in a capacious cooking vessel, sautéing onions until they transform into a translucent, glassy state with aromatic undertones.
- Incorporate minced garlic and fiery red pepper flakes, allowing flavors to intensify and permeate the culinary foundation.
- Nestle ham hocks into the aromatic mixture, carefully pouring chicken broth to create a robust liquid environment.
- 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.
- Introduce chopped collard greens into the liquid landscape, ensuring complete submersion and coverage with the lid.
- Continue gentle simmering for an additional 30 minutes, permitting greens to tenderize and absorb the rich, smoky essence of the ham hocks.
- 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