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Southern Braised Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

A delicious Southern dish featuring tender collard greens braised with smoky ham hocks for rich flavors and a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 bunches Fresh collard greens Look for deep green leaves that are firm and free of blemishes.
  • 1 each Smoked ham hock Provides a rich, smoky flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil Use quality extra virgin olive oil.
  • 6 cups Chicken broth Consider a vegetable broth for a vegetarian twist.
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced, fresh garlic is best.
  • 2 tablespoons Light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash the collard greens thoroughly to remove grit, remove stems, and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until tender.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Add the collard greens to the pot, stirring to coat with the oil and aromatics.
  2. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth, followed by 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and the ham hock.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and then reduce heat to low.
  4. Let it simmer for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the greens are tender.
  5. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat off the bone, and return it to the pot.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

Bring collard greens to room temperature first for even cooking. Longer simmering enhances the flavors beautifully. Make extra sauce for dipping with cornbread.