Name: Southern Style Collard Greens
Ingredients: ¼ cup white distilled vinegar (for Collard Greens wash solution); 1 ½ tbsps salt (for Collard Greens wash solution); Southern Collard Greens; 1 bunches fresh collard greens (see note); ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil; ¼ cup finely diced yellow onions; ½ tbsps minced garlic; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (if desired); Salt and pepper (to taste); 2-2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth; ½ fully-cooked smoked turkey leg or wing (about 6 oz, or an equivalent amount of ham (optional))

Southern Style Collard Greens

A delicious, hearty southern side dish with a complex flavor profile and only a few ingredients.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

white distilled vinegar, for Collard Greens wash solution ¼ cup
salt, for Collard Greens wash solution 1 ½ tbsps
Southern Collard Greens
bunches fresh collard greens, see note 1
extra virgin olive oil ½ tbsp
finely diced yellow onions ¼ cup
minced garlic ½ tbsps
red pepper flakes, if desired ¼ tsp
Salt and pepper, to taste
chicken or vegetable broth 2-2 ½ cups
fully-cooked smoked turkey leg or wing, about 6 oz, or an equivalent amount of ham (optional) ½

Instructions

Prepare the collard greens bath by filling a basin with cool water and adding vinegar and salt.
Place the collard greens into the prepared water bath and swish them around several times, scrubbing them to help loosen up any dirt.
Let the collard greens soak for 15-20 minutes, giving them a scrub midway. Drain the water and refill with plain water and allow the greens to soak again if needed. Repeat as many times as needed until the water is free from any dirt or grit. After the final soak, drain the water. Next, rinse and scrub each leaf front and back with cool water to ensure they are squeaky clean.
Remove the collard greens from the stems by folding them in half lengthwise and pulling the leaf away from the stem. Tear the greens into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
In a large pot, heat olive oil. Add onions and saute until tender.
Add garlic and red pepper flakes (optional) and cook until garlic is fragrant.
Pour in the broth and add the turkey leg or ham if desired. Bring to a boil.
Add collard greens and reduce heat to a simmer.
Cover and cook collards for at least 1 hour, stirring regularly.
Once done, stir and then taste the broth and the greens. (add a little water if the broth is too bold for your liking)
Stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste.
Serve collard greens with pieces of the smoked turkey leg and hot sauce if desired.

Notes

Vegan alternative: Orrington Farms makes a fantastic vegan ham flavored broth base! Skip the meat and add 4-5 teaspoons of broth base to your vegetable broth.

Recipe adapted from [https://divascancook.com/collard-greens-recipe/]