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Savory Collard Greens with Ham Hock

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A soulful, comforting dish featuring smoky ham hock simmered with tender collard greens, perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large smoked ham hock (about 1.5 pounds)
  • 2 pounds fresh collard greens, washed and chopped (stems removed)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or bacon fat
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the smoked ham hock under cold water to remove excess salt or impurities. Pat dry.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or bacon fat in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Place the ham hock in the pot, pour in 4 cups chicken broth, and bring to a gentle boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour, occasionally skimming off foam.
  4. While the ham hock simmers, remove thick stems from collard greens and chop leaves into bite-sized pieces. Wash thoroughly.
  5. Add collard greens to the pot, stir to combine, cover, and simmer gently for 30-40 minutes until greens are tender but still bright green.
  6. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat from the bone, and discard bone and skin. Stir shredded meat back into the pot.
  7. Add apple cider vinegar, brown sugar (if using), red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir well and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.

Notes

If collard greens taste bitter, add a bit more brown sugar or apple cider vinegar to balance flavors. Slow simmering is key to tender greens and rich smoky flavor. For a vegetarian version, omit ham hock and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke with vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: collard greens, ham hock, comfort food, Southern recipe, smoky greens, easy dinner, cozy meal

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/savory-collard-greens-with-ham-hock-recipe-easy-cozy-comfort-meal/