Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock
Slow-simmered collards infused with smoky ham hock, a true taste of the American South made with time-honored methods. This southern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 180 minutes pairs collard greens, smoked ham hock, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (stems removed, chopped into 1-inch ribbons) collard greens
- 1 (12 oz) smoked ham hock
- 1 medium (diced) onion
- 1 medium (diced) carrot
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place ham hock in a large pot with 8 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to extract flavor.
- Step 2: Remove ham hock, chop meat from bone, and set aside. Return broth to pot with diced onion, carrot, and minced garlic. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Add chopped collard greens to the pot, stirring to submerge. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: After 2 hours, remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to pot. Stir in apple cider vinegar and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes more until greens are tender and flavors are rich.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove ham hock bone before serving. Serve hot with cornbread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep collard greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock?
Southern vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
