Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple
A comforting vegetarian dish featuring tender collard greens simmered with sweet potatoes and apple for natural sweetness. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegan option) ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium, cored and diced apple, chicken broth, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 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 lb, stems removed and leaves chopped collard greens
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potato
- 1 medium, cored and diced apple
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced sweet potatoes and 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb chopped collard greens, 1 diced apple, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and collard greens are wilted and tender.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple?
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, cored and diced apple from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple?
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 Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple 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.
Is Simmered Smoky Collard Greens with Sweet Potato and Apple vegan option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This dish was a revelation! The smokiness from the collards paired perfectly with the sweetness of the apple and sweet potato. My whole family loved it.
- ★★★★★
The collard greens were tender and flavorful, and the sweet potato added a wonderful natural sweetness. A must-try for any vegetarian!
- ★★★★★
So easy to make and so delicious! The apple really brightened up the greens. I'll be making this again this week.
