Slow-Simmered Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

Tender collard greens slowly simmered with smoked turkey, onions, and spices to infuse deep, smoky Southern flavor. This Southern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs fresh collard greens, smoked turkey leg, yellow onion 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.

Ingredients

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

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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.