Low Sodium Southern Style Collard Greens

Savor the classic comfort of soul food with a healthy twist in our Low Sodium Southern Style Collard Greens recipe. This dish combines tender ribbons of fresh collard greens with layers of smoky and tangy flavor, courtesy of smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of liquid smoke. Simmered to perfection in a low-sodium vegetable broth, these greens deliver rich, savory depth without relying on excess salt. A medley of garlic, onions, and crushed red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat and aromatics, making this recipe a perfect side dish or stand-alone vegan delight. Easy to prepare and brimming with Southern charm, this low-sodium recipe proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor when cooking healthy. Perfect for holiday spreads or weeknight meals alike!

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs fresh collard greens
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp liquid smoke

Directions

Step 1

Wash the collard greens thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt. Remove the tough stems by running a knife along both sides of the stem, and then stack and roll the leaves into a bundle before slicing them into 1-inch ribbons.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and stir well to coat the onions and garlic, allowing the spices to become fragrant for about 30 seconds.

Step 5

Add the sliced collard greens to the pot in batches, stirring to wilt down each batch before adding more.

Step 6

Pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pot, loosening any flavorful browned bits.

Step 7

Add the low-sodium vegetable broth, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and liquid smoke. Stir everything together.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the collard greens simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary (but avoid adding salt to keep the recipe low sodium).

Step 10

Serve the collard greens warm as a side dish or enjoy them as a healthy, flavorful main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2056.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	690.0

Total Fat 34.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 731.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 87.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.7g	0%
Total Sugars 14.0g
Protein 30.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2214.6mg	0%
Iron 7.1mg	0%
Potassium 3100.1mg	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: 39.5%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 45.0%