Linda's Collard Greens with a Twist

Elevate your Southern comfort food game with *Linda's Collard Greens with a Twist*, a hearty and flavorful dish that blends tradition with a touch of creative flair. Tender, ribbon-cut collard greens are slow-simmered in a rich, smoky broth made from a whole smoked turkey leg, aromatic garlic, and sautéed onions. The "twist" comes from a harmonious blend of apple cider vinegar, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes, giving the greens a perfect balance of tangy sweetness and gentle heat. Fresh thyme sprigs add an earthy depth, while a dash of kosher salt and black pepper ties everything together. This soulful recipe is easy to prepare, taking just 15 minutes of hands-on time, and yields a deliciously tender dish that’s ready to serve in about 90 minutes. Perfect as a standalone entrée or paired with cornbread and rice, these collard greens will become your go-to side for any gathering or weeknight comfort meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs collard greens
• 1 whole smoked turkey leg
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic cloves
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the collard greens thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or grit. Stack the leaves, roll them into a cigar shape, and slice them into 1-inch ribbons. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion to the hot oil and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Place the smoked turkey leg in the pot and pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes. This will infuse the broth with the smoky flavor of the turkey.

Step 5

After 30 minutes, remove the lid and add the collard greens to the pot, stirring to submerge them into the liquid.

Step 6

Add the apple cider vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, honey, kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs to the pot.

Step 7

Stir the mixture well, cover, and let it simmer gently for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 8

Once the greens are tender and flavorful, remove the smoked turkey leg from the pot. Shred the meat off the bone and return it to the pot, discarding the bone.

Step 9

Taste the collard greens and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if needed.

Step 10

Serve the greens warm, ladled into bowls with some of the rich broth. These pair beautifully with cornbread or a side of rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3613.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3317.1

Total Fat 171.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1050mg	0%
Sodium 17678.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 93.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.0g	0%
Total Sugars 29.4g
Protein 333.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1692.0mg	0%
Iron 34.6mg	0%
Potassium 5301.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.5%

Protein: 41.0%

Carbs: 11.5%