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!
My family and I loved this recipe! I added a little sugar to mine instead of the hot sauce to get the kids to eat greens. Thanks so much for this recipe
I’m from Wisconsin but got hooked on southern food when I lived in Mississippi for a few years. When I moved back here I found a friend that could cook like that. Homemade mac & cheese, spaghetti, greens, etc. I finally wanted to learn and I found this site.
I decided to plant greens in my garden and needed a great recipe since my friend wouldn’t share his secrets. I just made this tonight and I know I’m not sharing my greens with anyone!! I’ll be finishing them up myself, lol.
Thank you for this site!! I’ve done your tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce and made Baked Garlic Chicken and Potatoes. My kids are loving the new style of cooking and so am I!!!
YEP,YOU KNOW HOW ,I’M JUST A WHITE GIRL FROM LOS ANGELES WITH BEST FRIENDS THAT ARE BLACK AND ,THERE FAMILY FUNCTIONS WERE THE BOMB,THE FOOD TO DIE FOR . THIS IS HOW I REMEMBER THERE COLLARD GREENS THANKS FOR SHARING
Hey im learning to cook more southern dishes i wanted to ask when you add the chicken broth do you need to leave the jucies in it or pour out the jucies dont laugh im just trying lol
I was so sad to finish it. I was licking everything that had the remaining favor on ! I will always use this, thank you ; it’s the best collard greens I ever had and I made it with your help , thank you Diva
Hahaha! I’m glad you liked it, Jessica!
Where does the vinegar come in?
I need to make this recipe with 15 bunches of greens. Help. ?
I pulled the collard greens from my garden and into the pot, using this recipe and they were absolutely, mouthwatering delicious!!!!
How blessed you are to have fresh, grown greens! So glad you enjoyed!