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Collard Greens

Hearty collard greens simmered low and slow with smoked ham hock until tender and deeply savory.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 90 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Deep South KitchenCategory
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Collard Greens

Collard greens are the Deep South’s most essential side — big, sturdy leaves simmered low and slow with a smoked ham hock until they’re silky and rich, served with the pot likker (the seasoned broth) and a bottle of hot sauce. They’re tradition in a pot.

Chef Emily presents Collard Greens

Southern tradition in a pot

Collard greens simmered low and slow with smoked ham hock until silky, served with pot likker and hot sauce.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Rinse the collards well in several changes of water.
  2. In a large pot, cover the ham hock with the water or stock and bring to a boil. Simmer 30 minutes.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, collards, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the greens are very tender.
  4. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and stir it back in.
  5. Serve with the pot likker and hot sauce.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Don't rush the simmer — the long, slow cook is what makes the greens silky instead of bitter. Save the pot likker; it's the best part, sopped up with cornbread.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook90 min
Servings6
CategoryDeep South Kitchen
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →