Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Tender collard greens slowly braised with smoky turkey and a savory broth, capturing the soul of Southern comfort food. This american southern-inspired slow cooker ready in about 90 minutes pairs medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, low sodium chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 large (about 1.5 pounds) smoked turkey leg
- 2 pounds, stems removed and leaves chopped collard greens
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic but not burnt.
- Step 3: Place 1 large smoked turkey leg (about 1.5 pounds) into the pot and pour in 4 cups low sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Step 4: Add 2 pounds chopped collard greens (stems removed) to the pot, pushing them down gently to submerge in the broth. Stir in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Cover the pot partially and reduce heat to low. Let the collard greens braise gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and the turkey meat is falling off the bone.
- Step 6: Remove the turkey leg, shred the meat, discard the bone, and return the shredded meat to the pot. Stir and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey?
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 medium, diced yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey?
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 Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey 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 Deep South Braised Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey?
American Southern slow cooker 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.
