Description
Southern pioneer woman collard greens combine heritage pork and leafy vegetables in a classic comfort dish. Simmered slowly with bacon and seasonings, this recipe delivers rich, traditional flavors that connect generations of Southern cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bag (2 lbs or 907 g) chopped fresh collard greens
- 1 lb (454 g) smoked turkey legs (about 2)
- 1 quart (946 ml) chicken broth
- 1 large sweet onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 3 tbsps apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsps kosher salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Hot pepper sauce, to serve
Instructions
- Stock Preparation: Submerge smoked turkey legs in a large pot with water, bringing to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low, simmering for 90 minutes until meat becomes fork-tender.
- Turkey Processing: Remove legs from stock, strain liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Once cooled, shred meat, discarding bones and skin.
- Flavor Foundation: Heat olive oil in the same pot, sauté onions and garlic with salt, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until fragrant and translucent.
- Green Integration: Add thoroughly cleaned collard greens to the aromatic base, pour in reserved turkey stock, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Ensure greens are fully immersed in liquid.
- Simmering Stage: Cover pot, cook for 45-60 minutes until greens reach desired tenderness. Uncover and allow liquid to reduce for an additional 10 minutes.
- Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with salt and vinegar. Serve hot, offering optional pepper sauce for additional heat and personal customization.
Notes
- Boost Flavor Depth: Use smoked turkey legs to infuse rich, smoky undertones into the collard greens, creating a more complex and satisfying taste profile.
- Manage Liquid Levels: Ensure collard greens remain fully submerged during cooking to guarantee even softening and prevent burning or uneven texture.
- Balance Seasoning Carefully: Adjust salt, vinegar, and sugar incrementally to achieve the perfect sweet-tangy-savory balance without overwhelming the natural green flavors.
- Tenderize Strategically: Simmer greens low and slow for 45-60 minutes to break down tough fibers, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth, silky texture without losing nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg