Easy Slow Cooker Collard Greens
If you’re looking for an easy, healthy meal for your family that doesn’t take much time to prepare, this is the recipe for you. Slow-cooker collard greens are simple and delicious!
Collard greens are one of those vegetables that is too often overlooked. They’re a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals, but most people don’t know how to prepare them. In this blog post, I’ll teach you how to make slow-cooker collard greens! It’s so easy – just grab some ingredients from the store and follow my recipe! You won’t be disappointed with the results: your family will love these tasty greens! This blog post includes a video tutorial with step-by-step instructions for preparing this dish in your crockpot. Happy cooking!
What are collard greens?
Collard greens are a leafy green vegetable that is a member of the cabbage family. They are typically cooked by braising or slow cooking.
Are collard greens healthy?
Yes, collard greens are very healthy! They are a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium
and iron. They are a very low-calorie food, with only about 50 calories in a 1 cup serving of leaves.
How many calories are in collard greens?
A one-cup serving of cooked collards is around 50-60 calories! A two-cup serving of raw collards has roughly 10 calories.
How do you cook collard greens?
Collard greens are typically cooked by boiling, braising or slow-cooking them. They can also be stir-fried, grilled, steamed or microwaved. When cooking collard greens in a soup or stew, they should be added toward the end of cooking.
What is the best way to cook collard greens?
The easiest way to make collard greens is in a slow cooker! They are easy to prepare, simply wash, chop and add ingredients.
However, we really love our Instant Pot collard greens recipe, too!
Ingredients:
- 2 large bunches collard greens
- 2 bunches mustard greens
- 1 smoked turkey leg (cut into pieces), or ham hock
- Optional: 1 package bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 T. apple cider vinegar
- 2 t. Brown sugar
- Dash of soy sauce
- 1 t. Crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ t. peppercorns
Instructions:
- Wash greens well, remove ribs and stems from collards (discard them). Tear or cut the greens into smaller pieces.
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir them up.
- Cook on low 8-10 hours or until tender, or on high for 4-6.
- If you used a cut up turkey leg, your greens are ready now.
- If you used a ham hock, remove it and shred the meat, and add it back to the greens and stir.
- Serve with broth from the slow cooker.
Slow-Cooker Collard Greens
Ingredients
- 2 large bunches collard greens
- 2 bunches mustard greens
- 1 smoked turkey leg (cut into pieces), or ham hock
- Optional: 1 package bacon, cooked and chopped into pieces
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 T. apple cider vinegar
- 2 t. Brown sugar
- Dash of soy sauce
- 1 t. Crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ t. peppercorns
Instructions
- Wash greens well, remove ribs and stems from collards (discard them). Tear or cut the greens into smaller pieces.
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir them up.
- Cook on low 8-10 hours or until tender, or on high for 4-6.
- If you used a cut up turkey leg, your greens are ready now.
- If you used a ham hock, remove it and shred the meat, and add it back to the greens and stir.
- Serve with broth from the slow cooker.
How many cups are in a bunch of collards?
A typical bunch of collards weighs about 1-2 pounds. There are typically 12-16 cups of greens in a bunch.
What can I substitute for collard greens?
If you can’t find collard greens, you can substitute kale, mustard greens, chard or spinach. Be sure to adjust the cooking time if needed, as these greens cook more quickly than collard greens.
Can I freeze collard greens?
Yes, you can freeze cooked collard greens. Simply let them cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
What is the difference between braising and slow cooking?
Braising is a cooking method where food is first browned in oil, then simmered in a small amount of liquid for a relatively short time.
Slow cooking is similar to braising, but the food is not browned before it goes into the slow cooker. It requires less preparation but requires the food to cook longer than braising does.
What is the difference between collard greens and kale?
Collard greens are a type of cabbage, while kale is from the broccoli family. Collard greens are typically larger and have a more bitter flavor than kale. Kale is also more tender and has a slightly sweet flavor.
When should I serve collard greens?
Collard greens are a popular side dish for southern comfort foods like ham or fried chicken. They can also be served with other meats, such as pork or beef, or with rice or potatoes.
Why are collard greens served on New Years?
Collard greens are popular in traditional southern New Year’s meals because they represent money and wealth. The darker the leaves, the more money will come your way!
How long do collard greens last?
Store cooked or uncooked collards in a sealed container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cooked collards will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Slow Cooker Side Dishes:
- The Best Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Apple Cider from Scratch
- Easy Crock Pot Queso Dip Recipe
- Easy No-Boil Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
- Easy Crock Pot Baked Beans with Bacon
- Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
- The BEST Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip (With Slow Cooker and Oven Instructions)
Slow cooker collard greens are a delicious and healthy side dish that is perfect for your family or guests on New Year’s Eve. You can prepare this recipe in the morning before you go to work, then just turn it on when you get home from work at night! The slow cooking process will do most of the cooking for you so they’ll be ready by dinner time. If you make these easy recipes, we’d love to hear what you think – please leave us a comment below or tag @simply_side_dishes on Instagram.
