Description
A traditional Southern comfort food recipe featuring tender collard greens slow-simmered with a smoky ham hock, bacon, and apple cider vinegar for deep, rich flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large bunches collard greens (approx. 2 lbs / 900g)
- 1 large ham hock (approx. 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s or Texas Pete)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 dried bay leaves
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep the greens: Remove stems from collard leaves, chop leaves into 1-inch strips, and wash thoroughly in cold water until water is clear.
- Render the bacon: In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon, leaving the grease in the pot.
- Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion to the bacon grease and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Build the broth: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Add the ham hock, bay leaves, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer: Add collard greens in batches, stirring to submerge. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender, adding liquid if needed.
- Finish: Remove ham hock and bay leaves. Chop meat from the bone and return to pot (discard skin/fat if desired). Stir in cooked bacon, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve with cornbread or rice.
Notes
Wash greens thoroughly to remove grit. Add vinegar at the end to preserve brightness. Skim fat from the top if desired. Greens taste better the next day. Can be made in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 12
Keywords: collard greens, ham hock, southern recipe, comfort food, slow cooker, healthy side dish, bacon, vinegar