Slow Cooker Collard Greens
89 Comments Dec 12, 2019
Updated Nov 13, 2023
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Prepare this easy Slow Cooker Collard Greens recipe for a delicious side. These collards have a smoky ham flavor and a great broth!
Collard greens are a southern style recipe with amazing smoke flavor. These greens go amazing with Slow Cooker New Years Day Black Eyed Peas, Slow Cooker Pork Chops and much more!
Table of Contents
- What are collard greens?
- How to make the best collards greens:
- How long do I cook collard greens in the slow cooker?
- Can I use mustard, turnip or kale greens in this recipe?
- I can’t find a ham hock or shanks, what can I use instead?
- Can I use bagged greens?
- Can I use canned collard greens?
- What goes good with Collard Greens?
- Slow Cooker Collard Greens Recipe
- More slow cooker sides
Collard greens need quite a bit of time to soften up and that’s why making them in the crockpot is the best! While they cook, a wonderful broth (pot liquor) is formed from the flavors of the bacon, ham, and spices. This broth is wonderful with the greens and some people even drink what’s left in their bowl.
What are collard greens?
- Collard greens are a leafy dark green vegetable.
- Have a very tough stem that travels up the entire leaf and needs to be removed before cooking.
- Collard greens are in the same family as cabbage, kale, mustard and turnips.
How to make the best collards greens:
- Fresh Collard Greens – These should be dark and vibrant green. Trim off the stem and tear into strips.
- Crumbled Bacon and Bacon Grease – Yes! I add a touch of bacon drippings to my collard greens. My mom would always cook with bacon fat and it really steps up a recipe.
- Ham Hocks or Shanks – This is where the smoky element comes in and I shred the meat off the bone and put it into the finished collard greens.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Just a touch of vinegar adds tanginess and depth of flavor.
- Brown Sugar – This gives the greens a slightly sweet flavor and the helps flavor the broth.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Chicken Broth – This is the moisture for this recipe. You can use water here but be sure to add more salt to taste if needed at the end of the cooking time.
How long do I cook collard greens in the slow cooker?
- 4 hours on HIGH
- or 7 hours on LOW
Can I use mustard, turnip or kale greens in this recipe?
Yes! It is sometimes hard to track down collard greens. Use the same amount of these greens instead.
I can’t find a ham hock or shanks, what can I use instead?
- Smoked turkey wings, drumsticks or necks
- Kielbasa
- Diced or sliced ham
Can I use bagged greens?
Yes, about two pounds is just the right amount for this recipe.
Can I use canned collard greens?
- You can but will need to alter the recipe.
- Canned collard greens are fulled cooked and sometimes already seasoned. You can add bacon, brown sugar, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to them to make them even better. I would skip the ham hock for it needs more time than canned greens to cook.
- To heat canned collard greens in the crockpot: Add 2-3 cans to a slow cooker (add any extra seasonings if desired) and heat on HIGH for 1.5 – 2 hours.
What goes good with Collard Greens?
- Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas – Brings good luck in the new year.
- Slow Cooker Cornbread – or you can bake mini muffin cornbread
- Pinto Beans – A great alternative if you don’t like black-eyed peas.
- Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese – My recipe is made with cream cheese
- Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops – Plenty of gravy on these
- Steamed White Rice – the easiest side dish ever
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Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Collard Greens with bacon, ham hocks, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients
- 8 cups collard greens, (2 large bunches, remove ribs and stems and discard, rip the greens into bite sized pieces)
- 2 ham hocks or shanks
- 12 oz. package bacon, sliced and cooked, drained (save the bacon drippings)
- 3 Tbsp. bacon drippings (grease), (from above bacon) optional
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Add the collard greens to the slow cooker.
- Add the ham hocks or shanks on top of the greens.
- Add the cooked bacon, bacon drippings, brown sugar, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours or until tender. Try to keep the lid on the entire cooking time or they won't tenderize.
- Remove the ham hocks or shanks and shred any meat you can find on them. Add the meat to the greens and stir.
- Serve with the broth (pot liquor) and your other favorite southern dishes.
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
I can’t find ham hocks or shanks, what can I used instead?
- Smoked turkey wings, drumsticks or necks
- Kielbasa
- Diced or sliced ham
- You can but will need to alter the recipe.
- Canned collard greens are fulled cooked and sometimes already seasoned. You can add bacon, brown sugar, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to them to make them even better. I would skip the ham hock for it needs more time than canned greens to cook.
- To heat canned collard greens in the crockpot: Add 2-3 cans to a slow cooker (add any extra seasonings if desired) and heat on HIGH for 1.5 – 2 hours.
Nutrition
Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 847mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1841IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!
Very good with a change out. I was given a BIG bag of collards didn’t have the pig, but I had 2 packs of smoked turkey tails that I precooked with the trinity and used the broth and tails for the collards, reminded me of thanksgiving.
My friends and family that cook greens all the time rated mine the best! BTW, I have never made them before…My mother and sister wont eat greens, but they devoured these. Highly recommend this receipe
These were soooo good! Made mine with pre-cut fresh collard greens from my local grocery store and had to use a smoked ham shank (since the store was out of hocks). Will definitely double the recipe next time so we have more to enjoy the next day (they’re THAT good)!
Can you do this same recipe in an instapot? If so, how long would you suggest?
Yes, this would do well in the instant pot. I do not have timing though.
If I’m using canned, is there still any need for the chicken broth at all?
I would use half the amount of chicken broth if it was me.
Can this be made without mest without compromising the flavor?
I have not tested. I personally would add some hickory liquid some to them if I was not adding meat.
Hi! How would I add in the sausage? And do I leave the bacon in the entire time?
I would add the sausage and bacon at the beginning, and keep both in the entire time.
How would you freeze and reheat? Or how far ahead can you make these?
I would freeze in freezer ziplock bags and reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan.