Soul Food, Southern, Turkey

Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Legs

This Southern-style collard greens recipe features tender collard greens cooked with flavorful smoked meat and aromatic spices. The dish is hearty and rich in taste, making it a perfect comfort food choice. With the right balance of seasonings and optional spices, these collard greens are a delightful and satisfying side dish for any Southern-inspired meal.

Ingredients

  • Several Bundles of Collard Greens
  • 1 fully cooked smoked meat of your choice (two small Smoked Turkey Legs, for example)
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 3 cups Chicken Broth
  • 1/2 large Onion
  • 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt, Pepper, Vinegar, Hot Sauce (optional)

The Cooking Process

Prepping the Collard Greens

To start, you’ll need to clean your collard greens thoroughly. Rinse them to remove any impurities and soak them in cold water with a pinch of salt and vinegar. Once they’re clean, stack the leaves and remove the tough center vein from each one. Roll the leaves up like cigars and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

Sautéing Aromatics

In a large pot, heat some olive oil or bacon fat. Add diced onions and cook until they soften. Then, toss in the chopped garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant.

Creating the Flavor Base

Pour in the chicken broth and add the smoked meat of your choice, such as Smoked Turkey Legs. If you like a little kick, incorporate the Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.

Simmer and Let the Magic Happen

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 45-60 minutes until the collard greens are tender. Adjust the texture to your liking; some prefer a bit of firmness.

Season to Perfection

Season the collard greens with salt and pepper according to your taste. If you want a tangy or spicy kick, you can also add vinegar and hot sauce.

Serve and Savor

Pair your Southern style collard greens recipe with your favorite sides. They complement cornbread perfectly. With their rich, flavorful taste and tender texture, these greens are sure to impress.

The Experience

Southern-style collard greens recipe is like experiencing a taste of the South. With this simple recipe inspired by AB, you can bring the flavors of the South to your own kitchen. Whether you enjoy them as a side dish or a main course, these collard greens will transport your taste buds to a world of soulful Southern comfort. Give this recipe a try and let the savory journey begin! Don’t forget to subscribe and like the video if you found this recipe helpful. Thanks for watching!

Recipe Card

4.8 from 7 votes

Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey Legs Recipe

Prep Time 25 min Cook Time 2 hour Total Time 2 hrs 25 mins Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 6 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

Instructions

Watch the Video
Off On

  1. Instructions

    Start by thoroughly rinsing the collard greens to remove any impurities. Soak them in cold water with a pinch of salt and vinegar. Once cleaned, stack the leaves.

  2. Remove the tough center vein from each collard green leaf. Roll them up like a cigar and cut them into bite-sized pieces.

  3. In a large pot, heat some olive oil or bacon fat. Add the diced onions and cook until they soften. Then, add the chopped garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

  4. Pour in the chicken broth and add the smoked meat, such as Smoked Turkey Legs. If you prefer a spicier dish, include the Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.

  5. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 45-60 minutes until the collard greens are tender. Adjust the texture to your liking – some prefer them with a bit of firmness.

  6. Season the collard greens with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add vinegar and hot sauce for extra flavor if desired.

  7. Serve your Southern collard greens with your favorite sides. They pair wonderfully with cornbread

Recommended Items For My Store

Just a heads up: This page might contain affiliate links. I’m here to share the kitchen tools I personally rely on daily. If you decide to click on a link and make a purchase, please be assured that you won’t incur any additional costs. However, I may earn a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Hey family,

My name is Aaron Brown. You can call me “A.B.”

My mission is to help you level up the process of making your favorite mealswith my video tutorials and recipe guides,plus my tried-and-true spices, cookware, and more that make every meal special.

Sign Up For Our E-Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR E-NEWSLETTER

Get a Free Recipe + 10% off when you sign up for our email list.

No spam… you’ll only receive notifications about new meals, videos, products, and updates!

Browse Recipes by Category

Most Popular Recipes

Featured Products

Cookbooks

E-Newsletter Signup

Get a free recipe + 10% off when you sign up for my email list.

No spam… you’ll only receive notifications about my latest meals, YouTube videos, products, and updates!

Save 20% on Signature Knives

Use the code “THATSFIRE20” at checkout!