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slow cooker collard greens with ham hocks in white bowl

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Make the best slow cooker collard greens with smoky ham hocks, cider vinegar, and molasses. This easy Southern recipe creates tender greens and rich pot liquor every time.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Soul Food, southern
Diet: Low Calorie
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 195kcal
Author: Marwin Brown

Ingredients

  • 3 bunches collard greens de-stemmed, chopped and cleaned
  • 2-3 medium Ham Hocks
  • 1 yellow onion sliced
  • 4-5 cloves garlic smashed and chopped
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 3 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika

Instructions

  • Saute onions in a skillet for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
  • Heat crock pot to low settings for 8 hours cook time. Add onions, garlic, vinegar, broth, water, and spices. Mix well. Add greens then top with ham hocks.
  • Cover with lid. After an hour, mix the hocks in. Place the lid back on and allow to cook undisturbed for another 7 hours.
  • Remove the hocks and pull the meat away from the bones. Add the meat back to the pot and mix in well. Serve.

Notes

  • These collard greens with ham hocks are all about balance. The cider vinegar brightens the rich pot liquor while molasses adds subtle sweetness that rounds out the smoky ham hocks without making the dish taste sugary. If your greens taste bitter, another splash of vinegar or a small drizzle of molasses usually restores balance.
  • Don't overcrowd the slow cooker with extra liquid. Collard greens naturally release moisture during cooking, creating plenty of flavorful pot liquor. Keep the lid closed throughout cooking to maintain a steady temperature and tender texture.
  • This Southern collard greens recipe freezes beautifully. Store leftovers with plenty of pot liquor to keep the greens moist when reheating.
  • For traditionally cooked greens try these soulful collard greens or for more of a quick cook version go with these instant pot greens. For meatless version try these vegan collard greens.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 719mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3863IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 199mg | Iron: 2mg
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