Slow-Simmered Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender collard greens slowly simmered with smoked turkey, onions, and spices to infuse deep, smoky Southern flavor. This southern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 90 minutes pairs large (about 1.5 lbs) smoked turkey leg, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 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: 75 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and chop 2 lbs fresh collard greens into 1-inch wide strips, removing thick ribs. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add the 1 large smoked turkey leg to the pot along with 6 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
  5. Step 5: Once boiling, add the chopped collard greens, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and infused with smoky flavor.
  6. Step 6: Remove the smoked turkey leg, shred the meat off the bone, discard the bone, and stir the shredded turkey back into the greens before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered 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 Slow-Simmered Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey?

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.

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