Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham
Slow-simmered collard greens with smoky ham hock, garlic, and a hint of vinegar for perfect balance. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 75 minutes pairs collard greens, smoked ham hock, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 12 oz collard greens
- 1/2 smoked ham hock
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim tough stems from 12 oz collard greens and cut into 1-inch strips. Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and 1/4 cup onion.
- Step 2: Place 1/2 smoked ham hock and 2 cups water in a pot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes to extract flavor.
- Step 3: Add collard greens, chopped garlic, and onion to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until greens are tender and bright green.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Simmer 5 more minutes until flavors meld and vinegar aroma dissipates.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 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 Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham?
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 collard greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham?
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 Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to vegetarian dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
