Southern-Style Collard Greens with Smoked Ham Hock

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-12 · Updated 2026-07-12

Slow-simmered collard greens with a smoky ham hock and a touch of vinegar for a classic Southern side dish. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 105 minutes, pairs fresh collard greens, smoked ham hock, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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 fresh collard greens
• 1 piece (about 1 lb) smoked ham hock
• 1 medium, diced (1 cup) yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 smoked ham hock and 4 cups chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 45 minutes to infuse the broth with smoky flavor.
4. Step 4: Add 1 lb chopped fresh collard greens to the pot, stirring well to submerge them in the broth. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the greens are tender.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove the ham hock, shred any meat, and return meat to the pot. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve warm.