Collard Greens Greens in the Crockpot
Collard Greens Greens in the Crockpot are a classic Southern dish that's packed with flavor from ham or bacon. The slow cooking produces tender, juicy, smoky flavored collards.
Servings: 6
Calories: 140kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz ham or bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 lbs collards fresh
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the collards, discarding any blemished leaf portions, and trimming the bottom of the stems.
- If desired, you can fold each leaf and cut the lower portion of the thick stem (spine) out. It's optional, as the stem does cook up tender also.
- Chop the collard greens up roughly by rolling and then cutting slices, then cut into 1 ½" to 2" pieces.
- Cut the ham, or bacon, into about ½" dice. Brown lightly in a skillet with the onion and the garlic.8 oz ham, 1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add the collards to the Crockpot (or a Dutch oven). Top them with the browned ham or bacon, and the onion, and garlic, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. If you like vinegar also, add it now.3 lbs collards, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Top the greens with the ham or bacon, it will help weigh them down in the pot. Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours.PRO TIP: If you don't have a slow cooker, you can make this Crockpot collard greens recipe on the stovetop. Just simmer the collard greens, ham, onion, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large pot for 2-3 hours, or until the collard greens are tender.
- Depending on your taste, you may like your 'mess of greens' with a little more red pepper flakes, black pepper, or even with the apple cider vinegar (it's delicious!).½ teaspoon salt
Notes
- This collard greens crockpot recipe great way to use leftover ham. If you prefer less meat, just brown up some bacon with the onions instead.
- You CAN make these slow cooker collard greens meatless. If you need a bit of smoke flavor, use Liquid Smoke.
- If using the stovetop Dutch oven method, be sure check to make sure the collards don't simmer dry. Add a little extra water if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 672mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 11409IU | Vitamin C: 91mg | Calcium: 536mg | Iron: 1mg