Southern Collard Greens

Name: Southern Collard Greens
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons lard or shortening, divided; 1 large onion, chopped; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks; 6 cups water; 2 teaspoons seasoned salt; 1 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon sugar; 1 large bunch collard greens (about 2 pounds), coarsely chopped; 1-1/2 cups white wine

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Cook: 2 hours

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Cooking collard greens is easier than you’d think. This southern collard greens recipe is full of smoky, savory flavor, and the broth is good enough to drink. You’ll want to dunk a piece of cornbread in it!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons lard or shortening, divided
1 large onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks
6 cups water
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 large bunch collard greens (about 2 pounds), coarsely chopped
1-1/2 cups white wine

Directions

In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon lard over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add ham hocks, water, seasoned salt, pepper flakes and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until meat is tender, 55-60 minutes.
Add collard greens, wine and remaining lard. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until greens are very tender, 55-60 minutes. Remove meat from bones; finely chop meat and return to pan. Discard bones. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 204 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 849mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein.

My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida

Recipe Creator