Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham Hock
Slow-simmered collard greens with smoky ham hock, a classic dish reflecting the most common surname in the South. This southern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 155 minutes pairs bunches (about 2 lbs) Collard greens, (about 8 oz) Smoked ham hock, diced Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 bunches (about 2 lbs) Collard greens
- 1 (about 8 oz) Smoked ham hock
- 1 diced Onion
- 2 minced cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 6 cups Water
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse collard greens thoroughly, remove tough stems, and chop leaves into 1-inch strips. Place in a large pot with 6 cups water, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 smoked ham hock, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer for 2 hours until greens are tender and flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Remove ham hock, shred meat from bone, and return to pot. Discard bones. Stir in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp brown sugar, simmering uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken the liquid and mellow the flavors.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed. Serve hot with cornbread or biscuits.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham Hock take to make?
Total time is about 155 minutes (20 min prep + 135 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 Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & 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 (about 8 oz) smoked ham hock from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & 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 Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham Hock for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Davis' Southern-Style Collard Greens & 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better vegetarian dishes though.
