Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Collard greens cooked with ham hock, onion, and chicken stock are a classic Southern side dish packed with rich, smoky flavor. The ham hock slowly simmers in seasoned chicken stock and a ham hock for a hearty, comforting, side dish.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Southern Comfort Food

Keyword collard greens

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2 30

Total Time 2 35

Servings servings

Calories 114kcal

Author Eileen Murphy Kelly

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup white onion chopped
1½ Tablespoons minced garlic
2 pounds shredded collard greens (remove any thick stems)
3 cups water
32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
1 large ham hock
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
hot sauce optional garnish

Instructions

Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil and 1½ Tablespoons minced garlic to a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook for 2 minutes or until beginning to brown.
Add 3 cups water, 32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth, and 1 large ham hock to the pot and allow the broth to come to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low and add 2 pounds shredded collard greens. As the greens cook, use a wooden spoon or spatula to push the greens into the stock.
Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 15-20 minutes.
Remove the ham hock and cut off the meat.
Add the meat from the ham hock and 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar to the pot and stir.
Cook for another 45 minutes to an hour or until the collards are cooked down and tender.
Season the greens with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Optional, add hot sauce if you prefer a bit of heat on your greens.

Notes

Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.

Depending on the size of your servings this recipe serves: 10-12 servings

Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing - Collard greens freeze well. Allow them to cool completely before transferring them into freezer-safe containers or bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead - You can prep collard greens ahead of time, rinse, chop, and store them in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.

Recipes written for Everyday Eileen are for information purposes. Eileen Kelly is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. Any nutritional data we provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

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