Savory Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Traditional Southern collard greens slow-cooked with smoked turkey and aromatic garlic for a hearty, flavorful side dish. This Southern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs collard greens, smoked turkey leg, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 180 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs, stems removed and leaves chopped collard greens
1 large (about 1.5 lbs) smoked turkey leg
2 tbsp olive oil
4, minced garlic cloves
1 medium, diced yellow onion
4 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the 1 large smoked turkey leg to the pot along with 2 lbs chopped collard greens, stirring to combine.
Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours until the collard greens are tender and the smoked turkey has infused the dish with deep flavor.
Step 5: Remove the turkey leg, shred any meat from the bone, and stir it back into the greens before serving warm.