This is THE best Southern Collard Greens recipe, hands down! How can I say that, well, because it’s my mama’s recipe and if there is one thing she prides herself on (besides pound cakes, of course) it’s her collard greens. You’ve got fresh collard greens gently simmering, getting all tender and cozy in a hearty, delicious pot likker. And this ain’t just any pot likker (not sure what that is – you’ll want to look it up!) – it is PACKED with the rich flavors of smoky ham hock and onions, seasoned just right to tickle your taste buds. Sure, there’s more than one way to whip up some collard greens, but down here my mama and I swear by this method. Low, slow, and with a whole lotta love!
This is the best recipe I have found! Perfect blend of heat, sweet and spice. Family can’t get enough. The pot likker is downright drinkable! – Ellie
This Collard Greens recipe is a tribute to not only my childhood but to almost every other Southerner. I’ve watched the hands that groomed and raised me make collard greens for decades, and the entire process was always so magical. That’s exactly why I included my Big Mama (grandmother’s) and my mama’s hands in this post showing you how to make them too. The heritage and love associated with making greens for your family is something that can never be replaced!
We just love our greens, whether they be turnip, mustard, or collard. Just about every Southerner has a personal favorite and with such unique, individual flavors I don’t blame them. This is true Southern cooking at its finest! But in my opinion, traditional Southern collard greens are the most popular greens in the South. Give ’em a try and you’ll see what I’m talking about!
If you purchase whole collard greens from the store, they are usually already in a bunch. For this recipe, you’ll need 2 bunches; when the stems are removed, you’ll have roughly over 1.5 pounds. This will be enough to serve about 4-5 people.
Step 3: simmer the collards with the rest of the ingredients
- Add greens and the rest of the ingredients to the pot once the ham hock is almost tender, plus enough water to cover the greens. This will become your pot likker.
- Cook while covered until completely tender. Most water should have evaporated by this point, just having enough to barely cover the greens.
First time trying it. It was fantastic! I left the pepper out. I could not believe how delicious, well seasoned and silky the pot liquor was! Have cooked this dish 4 times now without any pepper and the amazing flavor is always the same! – Nicole
What To Serve With This Black Folks Collard Greens Recipe
THE! BEST! COLLARD! GREENS! RECIPE!!! I took a chance at making collard greens using this recipe for a year or so go. It was my very first time attempting to make collard greens and it was for Thanksgiving! I know, that was crazy to take on such a family staple in that manner. This was the recipe I used using smoked turkey wings. The family loved it and I’m now in charge of the collard greens for family events. – Clifford
10 Tips for growing Collard Greens.
FAQ
How many people will 2 bunches of collards feed?
How many collard greens per serving?
How long does a bunch of collard greens last?
Why do you put vinegar in collard greens?
How many bunches of collard greens do I Need?
Let’s say you’re hosting a gathering for 50 people. To determine the number of bunches needed, divide the total number of servings (50) by the number of servings per bunch. If each bunch provides 16 servings, you would need approximately 3.13 bunches of collard greens (50 servings ÷ 16 servings per bunch = 3.13 bunches).
How to freeze collard greens?
The best thing to do is to purchase frozen collard greens to get rid of some of the steps. If you have collard greens, you want to freeze you first want to partially cook them by steaming or boiling them in water. Make sure not to cook them too much because you don’t want them to be mushy. After they return to room temperature you can place them in a freezer safe ziploc bag and press out as much air as possible. You can then put them in the freezer, and they can last at least a few months.
How many servings are in a bunch of collard greens?
With a serving size of 8 ounces per person, you can calculate the number of servings per bunch by dividing the weight of the bunch by the serving size. For example, if a bunch of collard greens weighs 1 pound, you’ll get approximately 16 servings per bunch (1 pound = 16 ounces ÷ 8 ounces per serving).
What size collard greens should I serve?
First, you will need to determine the portion size you plan to serve. A typical serving size of collard greens is about 1/2 cup cooked, which is approximately equivalent to one bunch of raw collard greens. However, this can vary depending on the size of the bunches you purchase and the preferences of your guests.