Savory Instant Pot Collard Greens with Black-Eyed Peas
Experience the rich and smoky flavors of Southern cuisine with these Savory Instant Pot Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas. This delightful side dish blends tender collard greens, hearty black-eyed peas, and succulent smoked ham hocks, all infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Perfectly cooked in an Instant Pot, this recipe locks in the nutrients and flavors, making it an ideal complement to your favorite Southern meals or a comforting stand-alone dish. Packed with fiber and flavor, it's sure to become a staple in your home—your family will be asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
85
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 tablespoon (None)
Yellow onion
1 small (Diced)
Garlic cloves
4 (Minced)
Crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Smoked ham hocks
2 (None)
Dried black-eyed peas
1 cup (None)
Collard greens
4 cups (Chopped)
Salt
1 teaspoon (None)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (None)
Chicken stock
2 cups (None)
Bay leaves
2 (None)
Fresh thyme
1 teaspoon (Chopped)
Liquid smoke
1 teaspoon (None)
Apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (None)
Hot sauce
3-4 dashes (None)
Instructions
1
Set your Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' function. Once the pot is hot, add the olive oil and let it heat up.
2
Add the diced yellow onion, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes to the pot. Sauté for about 3 minutes or until the onions become transparent and fragrant.
3
Next, add the smoked ham hocks to the pot and sauté for an additional minute, allowing the hocks to absorb the flavors.
4
Turn off the sauté function and add the dried black-eyed peas, chopped collard greens, salt, black pepper, chicken stock, bay leaves, thyme, and liquid smoke. Stir well to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the greens are submerged in the liquid.
5
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to the 'Sealing' position. Set the pot to 'Pressure Cook' on high for 25 minutes.
6
After the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then switch the valve to 'Venting' to manually release any remaining steam.
7
Carefully open the lid and stir in the apple cider vinegar and your chosen hot sauce. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
8
Remove the ham hock bones from the pot, shred any meat and return it to the collard greens mixture. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
4.5g
Protein
3g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Instant Pot Collard Greens with Black-Eyed Peas?
It is a Southern-style side dish featuring tender collard greens, hearty black-eyed peas, and smoky ham hocks cooked efficiently in an Instant Pot.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 85 calories.
Do I need to soak the dried black-eyed peas before cooking?
No, this Instant Pot recipe allows you to add the dried black-eyed peas directly into the pot without prior soaking.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegetarian diet?
While the standard recipe includes ham hocks and chicken stock, it can be modified for vegetarians by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth.
How long does the pressure cooking process take?
The dish is pressure cooked on high for 25 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This recipe provides 4.5g of protein per serving.
How much fiber is in the Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas?
Each serving contains 3g of fiber.
What purpose does the liquid smoke serve?
Liquid smoke is used to provide a deep, smoky flavor that complements the traditional Southern profile of the greens.
When should I add the apple cider vinegar?
Stir in the apple cider vinegar after the pressure cooking is complete and the lid has been safely opened.
What type of onion is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one small yellow onion, diced.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 4 minced garlic cloves for this recipe.
Can I use fresh herbs in this dish?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of fresh chopped thyme and 2 bay leaves.
What should I do with the ham hocks after cooking?
Remove the ham hock bones, shred any remaining meat, and return the meat to the pot with the greens.
How much fat is in one serving?
There is approximately 2.5g of fat per serving.
Is this dish considered spicy?
It has a mild heat from the crushed red pepper flakes and hot sauce, both of which can be adjusted to your preference.
What is the total number of ingredients used?
This recipe uses a total of 15 ingredients.
What is the first step in making this recipe?
The first step is to set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' and heat the olive oil.
How many cups of collard greens are required?
You will need 4 cups of chopped collard greens.
What type of cooking liquid is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of chicken stock.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes for about 3 minutes until the onions are transparent.
Is a natural pressure release necessary?
Yes, a 10-minute natural release is recommended to help the flavors develop and the beans tenderize.
Can I use a different type of oil?
While olive oil is specified, you can use other neutral cooking oils for the sautéing step.
How do I ensure the collard greens cook properly?
Ensure the greens are submerged in the liquid before starting the pressure cooking cycle.
What is the recommended amount of hot sauce?
The recipe suggests 3-4 dashes of your chosen hot sauce.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol or sugar?
Based on the nutritional data provided, the recipe contains 0g of sugar and does not list cholesterol levels.
How many bay leaves are used?
The recipe requires 2 bay leaves.
What is the amount of dried black-eyed peas needed?
You will need 1 cup of dried black-eyed peas.
How should I prepare the ham hocks before adding them?
The ham hocks are added whole to the pot and sautéed for one minute before pressure cooking.
What categories does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as Southern cuisine, soul food, and a healthy side dish.
How should I taste and season the final dish?
After opening the lid and adding the vinegar and hot sauce, taste the mixture and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.