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!
I tried this recipe today along with the tangy wings macaroni and cheese and banana pudding and this meal is on point. I know nothing about southern cooking accept for how to eat it lol. My fiancé comes home in May and I am definitely utilizing your blog so I can step my cooking game up. Thank you Diva!!!
Omg you are awesome I have never ever been able to successfully cook greens… tried your recipe today and Omg it was awesome. I gave my mom a bowl and she told me she wants me to make a pot for her this weekend. As Im typing this I’m literally slurping down a bowl. thank u sooooooo much for this recipe I cant wait to try out some of ur other recipes.
I just made these today and OMG!! I love this recipe. Is a keeper. I am puerto rican and I love soul food. Thank you for sharing your recipes you are awesome!
These greens were sooo good! I love using your recipes! Thanks for sharing! Do you have a recipe for kale greens? Would I cook it the same way? Thanks
I am making (made) these for Christmas and they are simply delectable!! This is the only recipe I will ever use to cook collard greens. Thank you for sharing the recipe and the history.
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was soooo delicious Thank You so much for sharing this recipe with us!!