Slow-Simmered Collard Greens with Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-19 · Updated 2026-04-19

Tender collard greens simmered with garlic and smoked paprika in a vegetable broth base, a vibrant and healthy side dish for family meals. This Southern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs collard greens, garlic, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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

• 2 lbs collard greens
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Remove tough stems from 2 lbs collard greens and chop leaves into 1-inch pieces. Mince 4 cloves garlic.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
3. Step 3: Add chopped collard greens to the pot, stirring to coat with oil. Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender and flavors meld.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm as a side dish.