Paula Deen's Collard Greens

Bring the comfort of Southern cooking to your table with Paula Deen's Collard Greens, a soul-warming dish brimming with rich, smoky flavor. This classic recipe combines tender collard greens with savory smoked ham hocks, slowly simmered in a seasoned broth infused with apple cider vinegar, garlic, and a touch of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. The addition of sweet onion and a hint of sugar balances the bold flavors, creating the perfect harmony of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet. With just 15 minutes of prep and a long, gentle simmer, these greens become irresistibly tender and soak up the robust, smoky essence of the broth. Perfect as a hearty side dish for your favorite Southern staples, this recipe serves up to six and promises a true taste of down-home comfort. Optimize your next family gathering or Sunday dinner with these melt-in-your-mouth collard greens!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs collard greens
• 2 smoked ham hocks
• 8 cups water
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the collard greens thoroughly under cold water to remove any grit or dirt. Pat them dry and remove the tough stems. Cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot over medium heat, add the water and bring it to a simmer. Add the smoked ham hocks and let them simmer for about 30 minutes to create a flavorful broth.

Step 3

Stir in the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the broth. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, allowing them to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 4

Add the collard greens to the pot a handful at a time, letting them wilt slightly before adding more. Stir to ensure the greens are fully submerged in the broth.

Step 5

Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the greens simmer for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. Check on the tenderness of the greens; they should be soft and well-cooked.

Step 6

Remove the smoked ham hocks from the pot and shred the meat off the bones. Return the shredded meat to the pot and discard the bones.

Step 7

Taste the greens and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm as a side dish to your favorite Southern meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3264.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1162.5

Total Fat 70.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.7g
Cholesterol 168mg	0%
Sodium 5473.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 38.8g	0%
Total Sugars 23.7g
Protein 67.2g	0%

Vitamin D 112IU	0%
Calcium 1477.2mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 2006.7mg	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: 51.9%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 26.2%