Smoky Turkey Collard Greens Simmered in Broth

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Tender collard greens slow-cooked with smoked turkey and savory spices, creating a rich and smoky Southern classic. This Southern-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 120 minutes, pairs collard greens, smoked turkey leg, chicken broth 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.

Ingredients

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

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and add the 1 large smoked turkey leg, bringing the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer the turkey leg in broth for 1 hour until tender.
4. Step 4: Remove the turkey leg and shred the meat, discarding bones and skin; return shredded meat to the pot.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb chopped collard greens, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot.
6. Step 6: Cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until collards are tender and flavorful.
7. Step 7: Adjust seasoning if needed and serve warm, spooning generous amounts of smoky broth over the greens.