Southern-Style Collard Greens & Smoked Ham Hock

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

Slow-simmered collard greens with smoky ham hock — a Southern classic. This Southern-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 155 minutes, pairs Collard greens, Smoked ham hock, Onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, 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 bunches (about 2 lbs) Collard greens
• 1 (about 8 oz) Smoked ham hock
• 1 diced Onion
• 2 minced cloves Garlic
• 2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 6 cups Water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse collard greens thoroughly, remove tough stems, and chop leaves into 1-inch strips. Place in a large pot with 6 cups water, 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 smoked ham hock, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and cover. Simmer for 2 hours until greens are tender and flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Remove ham hock, shred meat from bone, and return to pot. Discard bones. Stir in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp brown sugar, simmering uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken the liquid and mellow the flavors.
4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar if needed. Serve hot with cornbread or biscuits.