Savory Southern Style Collard Greens
Experience the rich, comforting flavors of Southern cooking with this Savory Southern Style Collard Greens recipe. Perfectly slow-cooked to achieve tender greens infused with smoky bacon and ham, these collard greens offer a balance of sweetness from dark brown sugar and depth from beef stock. This dish is ideal for sharing at family gatherings or as a hearty side for any meal. Bring the warmth of home cooking to your table with this delicious recipe that melds tradition with ease in your crock pot.
N/A
Servings
135
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
5 slices (cut up)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Pepper
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
Collard Greens
2 bunches (stems removed, leaves torn)
Beef Stock
1 1/2 cups (preferably low-sodium)
Ham Hock
1 (uncooked)
Instructions
1
Begin by thoroughly washing the collard greens under cold water. Remove the tough stems and tears any large leaves into manageable pieces. Place the prepared greens in the crock pot on the low heat setting.
2
In a skillet over medium heat, add the cut-up bacon and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
3
Once the bacon is cooked, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.
4
Stir in the dark brown sugar, allowing it to melt and combine with the bacon mixture. Cook for an additional minute until everything is well incorporated.
5
Carefully transfer the bacon and onion mixture to the crock pot containing the collard greens.
6
Pour the beef stock over the greens, ensuring they are well covered.
7
Nestle the ham hock into the pot, letting it sit atop the mixture.
8
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.
9
After 4 hours, carefully remove the ham hock. Using a fork, shred the meat off the bone and return the shredded ham to the crock pot.
10
Stir the collard greens and replace the lid, continuing to cook on low for an additional 3-4 hours until the greens are tender and flavorful.
11
Serve hot as a delightful side dish, relishing the harmonious blend of savory and sweet notes in every bite.
Nutrition Information
9.5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
6.25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Southern Style Collard Greens?
Savory Southern Style Collard Greens are a traditional comfort food dish slow-cooked with bacon, ham, and beef stock for a rich, smoky flavor.
How much bacon is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 5 slices of bacon that have been cut up.
What is the first step in preparing the greens?
The first step is to thoroughly wash the collard greens under cold water, remove the tough stems, and tear large leaves into manageable pieces.
How many bunches of collard greens are needed?
You will need 2 bunches of collard greens for this recipe.
What type of sugar is used for sweetness?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of packed dark brown sugar to balance the savory notes.
What appliance is recommended for cooking these greens?
A crock pot or slow cooker is recommended for this recipe.
How much garlic should be added?
Add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic to the recipe.
What type of stock is required?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of beef stock, preferably low-sodium.
Is the onion chopped or sliced?
The recipe specifies using 1 chopped onion.
How long do you cook the bacon in the skillet?
The bacon should be cooked in a skillet over medium heat until it is crispy.
What is sautéed with the bacon?
After the bacon is cooked, you sauté chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in the same skillet.
How long should you sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 4-5 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
What setting is used on the crock pot?
The crock pot should be set to the low heat setting for the entire cooking process.
How long is the initial cooking time?
The greens should cook on low for an initial 4 hours before the ham hock is removed.
What do you do with the ham hock after the first 4 hours?
After 4 hours, remove the ham hock, shred the meat off the bone using a fork, and return the meat to the crock pot.
How much longer do the greens cook after adding the shredded ham?
They should continue to cook on low for an additional 3-4 hours until tender.
What is the total estimated slow cooking time?
The total slow cooking time is approximately 7 to 8 hours on the low setting.
How many calories are in a serving of these greens?
There are approximately 135 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains about 9.5 grams of fat.
How much protein is provided in this dish?
There are approximately 6.25 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 7.5 grams of carbohydrates.
Should the ham hock be cooked or uncooked before starting?
The recipe uses 1 uncooked ham hock which is slow-cooked with the greens.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, or more to taste.
How much pepper is used for seasoning?
Use 2 teaspoons of pepper, or adjust to taste.
Is this dish considered a main course or a side dish?
It is primarily served as a hearty side dish, ideal for family gatherings.
What are some tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include southern cooking, crock pot, comfort food, savory, and slow cooked.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires a total of 9 ingredients.
Does the beef stock need to cover the greens?
Yes, you should ensure the beef stock well covers the collard greens in the crock pot.
What flavor profile does the dark brown sugar provide?
The dark brown sugar provides a balance of sweetness to the savory and smoky notes.
How should the collard greens be served?
The greens should be served hot to fully enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors.