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    Home » Recipes » Soul Food Classics

    Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks

    February 10, 2023 by LaKita 18 Comments

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    overhead view of finished white bowl of southern collard greens recipe with ham hocks
    overhead view of finished collards in a large stockpot
    close up of finished greens in a white bowl

    Try making this authentic Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks for a classic southern side dish with tender collard greens, smoked ham hocks, plus a few more simple ingredients.

    These southern-style collard greens are great on their own, but the best way to enjoy them is by pairing them with some Southern Cornbread or Sweet Potato Cornbread.

    overhead view of finished greens in white plate beside a fork

    So my childhood called and expressed concern that I had not yet shared a recipe for collard greens on the blog. I honestly cannot believe that as a southerner that has been eating collards her whole life, I haven’t shared my version with you. 

    Well, I actually cannot take full credit for the recipe that I’ve been using all these years as it really belongs to my cousin Ruby. Although she was technically my ‘cousin’ she was also the oldest member of my family and transitioned from this world at the tender age of 99. 

    She was a petite lady with a big personality and a wealth of wisdom that she didn’t shy away from sharing with her loved ones. I never will forget the day that I accidentally referred to her as Mrs Ruby and she sharply let me know that I was to call her ‘cousin Ruby’ in a thick southern drawl that made it sound more like cuzzin than cousin. 

    I was about 7 years old at the time. So to say that she had a hand in the upbringing and care of me and so many other members of my family is an understatement. And of course, that meant feeding us the most comforting and soul-filling food ever. 

    Including this collard green recipe that has served me so well through the years that I haven’t ever considered changing it or trying something different. I’m excited to share it with you today and I hope that you’ll give it a try and share it with your family and friends for Sunday dinner or any time. 

    Let’s get started!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips & Tricks
    • Storage
    • Recipe
    • More Recipes You'll Love

    Ingredients You'll Need

    overhead view of ingredients needed to make collards with ham hock in separate bowls and containers
    1. Collards - Now I’m in an area where a bundle of fresh collard greens is available and easy to find all year. You want to use fresh greens for this recipe, not frozen or canned. I prefer to use the whole green leaf and prepare them myself, but if you can’t find them at your local grocery store in the produce section, then you may also use the prepared bag version of collards that are already chopped. 
    2. Onion - Use a yellow onion or white onion and chop it into small pieces. You will need at least a cup for this recipe, a medium or large onion should be enough. 
    3. Garlic - Thinly slice or mince three cloves of garlic and feel free to add more if you prefer. May use garlic powder as a substitute.
    4. Chicken Broth - Opt to use low-sodium chicken broth since smoked ham hocks will provide most of the saltiness and smokiness. The liquid portion to create the pot liquor. May also substitute with chicken stock.
    5. Smoked Ham Hock - Be sure to use smoked ham hocks and not fresh. These can usually be located in the meat section of the grocery store with the rest of the smoked meats. If you have difficulty finding them, you can use smoked pork neck bones instead. If you prefer not to use pork, then you may substitute it with smoked turkey wings or smoked turkey legs. 
    6. Salt - Helps to break down the greens and make them tender. 
    7. Ground Black Pepper - Pairs with the salt to season the collard greens and prevent them from tasting flat. 
    8. Vinegar - Use apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar to help make the green tender. 
    9. Hot Sauce - Adds a nice dash of heat and tangy flavor. 

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities and instructions.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Begin this pot of greens recipe by separating the leafy greens from the bunch and removing the thick stems. Wash each collard leaf in cold water in a clean sink, remove the tough stems, and thoroughly pat them dry. Coarsely chop the leaves to equal about 10 cups. This may seem like a lot, but they will break down once cooked. 

    cleaned and cut up fresh collard greens in large white bowl

    Using a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add in the water, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, ground black pepper and smoked ham hocks. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. 

    ham hocks, broth, water, onion and garlic added to large pot

    Add the prepared collards, place a lid on the pot, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer for one hour cooking time, until the greens are tender. During this time carefully remove the lid and stir occasionally. 

    greens added to large pot with the other ingredients

    Carefully remove the pot from the heat and remove the ham hocks from the pot. Allow them to cool down for a few minutes before handling them. Then using a fork or gloved hands, remove the meat from the bones and discard them along with any fatty pieces. Cut the meaty ham hock into smaller pieces before returning back to the pot. Add the vinegar and hot sauce and stir to combine. 

    Ham hocks cut up and added to white bowl

    Return the pot over medium heat and cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes cook time. Serve these southern greens warm with some extra hot sauce and some cornbread. Enjoy!

    close up side view of finished greens in large pot

    Recipe Tips & Tricks

    • If this is your first time preparing fresh greens, try removing the stem by folding the green leaf in half lengthwise to expose the stem. Use your hands to separate the stem from the leaf.
    • Washing greens can be done before cutting them or after. I prefer after cutting, washing them in a clean sink with water and some distilled vinegar. Be sure to really get in there and scrub the green and rinse them as many times as necessary to remove the debris.
    • A great way to cut the greens is to stack them on top of each other before rolling them into a roll and cut into slices.
    • If you have a hard time locating smoked ham hocks, try asking the local butcher at your grocery store for help locating them in the meat department.
    overhead view of clean and dry fresh collard green leaf
    collard leaf folded in half with stem removed
    fresh collard greens stacked on top of each other
    collard greens rolled together beside a knife

    Storage

    If you have any leftover collard greens, then you may store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve again, heat them in a saucepan over medium heat until heated thoroughly. You may also reheat them in the microwave as well in a microwave-safe container. 

    Freezing - Cooked and cooled prepared collard greens store well in the freezer in a freezer-safe container for 1 month. Try to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating them to serve. If you’re short on time, no worries, you can heat them straight from frozen over medium-low heat.  

    Recipe

    overhead view of finished collards in a large stockpot

    Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks

    LaKita Anderson
    Try making this authentic Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Ham Hocks for a classic southern side dish with tender collard greens, smoked ham hocks, plus a few more simple ingredients.
    5 from 10 votes
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    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 316 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 large pot or Dutch oven

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 pounds fresh collard greens
    • 4 cups water
    • 32 ounces low sodium chicken broth
    • 1 cup onion, chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 ¼ pounds smoked ham hocks
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Begin this pot of greens recipe by separating the leafy greens from the bunch and removing the thick stems. Wash each collard leaf in cold water in a clean sink, remove the tough stems, and thoroughly pat them dry.
    • Coarsely chop the 3 pounds of collards to equal about 10 cups. This may seem like a lot, but they will break down once cooked.
    • Using a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add in the 4 cups water, 32 ounces chicken broth, 1 cup chopped onion, 3 cloves minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and 1 ¼ pounds smoked ham hocks. Allow the mixture to come to a boil.
    • Add the prepared collards, place a lid on the pot, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer for one hour, until the greens are tender. During this time carefully remove the lid and stir occasionally.
    • Carefully remove the pot from the heat and remove the ham hocks from the pot. Allow them to cool down for a few minutes before handling them. Then using a fork or gloved hands, remove the meat from the bones and discard them along with any fatty pieces. Cut the meaty ham hock into smaller pieces before returning back to the pot. Add the 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon hot sauce and stir to combine.
    • Return the pot over medium heat and cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes cook time. Serve these southern greens warm with some extra hot sauce and some cornbread. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • If this is your first time preparing fresh greens, try removing the stem by folding the green leaf in half lengthwise to expose the stem. Use your hands to separate the stem from the leaf.
    • Washing greens can be done before cutting them or after. I prefer after cutting, washing them in a clean sink with water and some distilled vinegar. Be sure to really get in there and scrub the green and rinse them as many times as necessary to remove the debris.
    • A great way to cut the greens is to stack them on top of each other before rolling them into a roll and cut into slices.
    • If you have a hard time locating smoked ham hocks, try asking the local butcher at your grocery store for help locating them in the meat department.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 27gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 333mgPotassium: 758mgFiber: 7gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 8539IUVitamin C: 62mgCalcium: 424mgIron: 2mg

    *All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

    Keyword collard greens recipe
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SimplyLaKita or tag #SimplyLakita
    plate of finished greens on marble surface

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    Have any comments, questions, or other delicious ideas and ways to enjoy this Southern Collard Greens Recipe? Please share them in the comments below!


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria

      February 13, 2023 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Sounds like the perfect comfort food. Here in Canada, we don't use collard greens often. I will pick some up and give this a try.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:47 pm

        Thank you Gloria! It's comfort food for sure 🙂

        Reply
    2. Ann

      February 15, 2023 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      I am still a newbie with cooking collard greens, so this recipe sounds like the perfect one to give a try! Sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:53 pm

        Thank you Ann, this is a great intro, really easy 😉

        Reply
    3. Sandhya Ramakrishnan

      February 17, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for the detailed instructions on how to prepare collard greens. This is the first time I am using it and your pictorials are very helpful.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:54 pm

        Thank you so much Sandhya!

        Reply
    4. Amanda

      February 17, 2023 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner last night, and it was perfect! The collard greens were nice and tender, and the ham added a nice smoky touch.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:54 pm

        Thank you Amanda, happy to hear that you enjoyed the greens 🙂

        Reply
    5. Erin

      February 18, 2023 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      I had some ham hocks and had no clue what to do with them. I'm so glad I came across this recipe! We all loved these collard greens. Thank you!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you Erin, perfect timing 🙂

        Reply
    6. Loreto and Nicoletta

      February 19, 2023 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      Wow, what took you so long! 😆 ❤️
      Love collard greens, and yours have us craving them so bad. Love the smoked pork. And the texture tells me every fork full will be just heavenly! So happy you finely decided to pist this amazing Southern recipe! ❤️ 😍 😋

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you so much!! I know, I had to correct that immediately and it was certainly past time to share 😉

        Reply
    7. Alex

      February 19, 2023 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for all the tips! It was indeed my first time preparing collard greens and your tips were a big help. And the result was delicious! Thanks.

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you Alex, glad to hear they were helpful!

        Reply
    8. Natalia

      February 19, 2023 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      I made this collard greens recipe yesterday, so tasty and flavorful! I didn't have ham so I used smoked Turkey instead and it turned out great. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:55 pm

        Thank you so much Natalia! Turkey works just as well!

        Reply
    9. Mikayla

      February 19, 2023 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      So much flavor in one dish, leftovers will be going to work this week as lunches!

      Reply
      • LaKita

        February 20, 2023 at 12:55 pm

        Thank you so much Mikayla!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm LaKita, a food blogger living in Northwest/Panhandle Florida. I love creating and sharing recipes that are simple to make and comforting to eat. Follow me for more delicious recipes.

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