Southern Collard Greens Recipe w/ Smoked Turkey Legs (soul food style)
Collard greens have been cooked and used for centuries. The Southern-style of cooking of greens came with the arrival of African slaves to the southern colonies and the need to satisfy their hunger and provide food for their families. Though greens did not originate in Africa, the habit of eating greens that have been cooked down into a low gravy, and drinking the juices from the greens (known as “pot likker”) is of African origin. The slaves of the plantations were given leftover food from the plantation kitchen. Some of this food consisted of the tops of turnips and other greens. Ham hocks and pig’s feet were also given to the slaves. Forced to create meals from these leftovers, they created the famous southern greens. The slave diet began to evolve and spread when slaves entered the plantation houses as cooks. Their African dishes, using the foods available in the region they lived in, began to evolve into present-day Southern cooking
Watch me make these Southern Collard Greens from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Southern Collard Greens Recipe w/ Smoked Turkey Legs (soul food style)
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of collard greens
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, diced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 t. red pepper flakes
- 1 fully-cooked, smoked turkey leg (can also use smoked turkey wings)
- Seasoning (optional), (salt, pepper, vinegar, hot sauce
Instructions
- Remove the collard green leaf from the steam.
- Wash the collards several times in cold water to remove any dirt and grit. You can also use salt to help remove the grit if needed.
- Rinse well & set aside
- In a large pot, add a tablespoon of olive oil and the chopped onions & garlic. Saute until tender.
- Add in the chicken broth, red pepper flakes, & the turkey leg. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 20-30 minutes. This helps the broth take on that delicious, smokey flavor!
- Add in the collard greens. Simmer covered for about 45-60 minutes or until your desired tenderness is reached. You can increase the heat if needed but do not boil the collard greens. They will wilt down as they cook.
- When done, season to your preference. In my opinion, these greens don't need a thing if your broth is very sesoned. I usually add in a few dashes of black pepper and a few drops of hot sauce!
WOW! I have never had better greens. A huge thank you for sharing the recipe. I always thought the restaurant I went to had good greens, but these are WAY better.
I have used your recipe for greens two years in a row and it is a HUGE hit with my family!!!! Thank you so much for the recipe and even more for the video! Thank God for people like you teaching me to cook!!!
I do like the recipiie bit the provider has her history of collards wrong. Collards the introduction and preparation of collards was introduced by Scottish Immigrats coming to America . Scots as well as Irish immigrants who have been known to eat many leafy vegetables . Even this particular recepies in particular is a kick off of a Scottish recipie.
Also note the frying of chicken is yet again a Scottish original.
Bill thanks for your history as well. Honestly I think the African history accents the dishes and not whom had it first.
Delicious!! Thanks for that marvelous history lessons on green from out ancestors.
This bis an awesome piece on cooking divas and healthy way to eat greens I Will never change the recipe. It will be,a,staple in my house
happy new year
Hi, I wanted to know, besides fried chicken (YUM) what else would you serve this with as far as protein goes?
Thank you!!!!