Collard greens fresh from the garden or purchased in the grocery store should be washed in hot, salty water to get rid of debris and insects.
I wash and rinse two to three times. Depends on how much dirt is on each leaf.
Heavily soiled collards should be washed at least three times and rinsed three times.
First, remove the thick portion (bottom end) of the stalk from each leaf.
Place whole leaves in sink to clean.
Cover leaves with hot water. Add 1/2 cup of salt (will not affect taste of collards).
Wash each leaf in the salty water. Rinse.
Wash and rinse three times. Sounds like a lot, but it’s necessary with collards fresh from the garden.
HOW TO CUT COLLARD GREENS
Stack and roll several leaves together.
Cut to desired size.
HOW TO SEASON COLLARD GREENS
There are a variety of ways to season collards and make them taste fantastic.
My recipe contains fresh collard greens seasoned with smoked ham hocks (or use a ham bone), sugar to get rid of bitterness, salt, coarse ground black pepper, Liquid Smoke, and Cajun Hot Sauce.
SMOKED TURKEY WINGS
If pork is not your thing, consider using smoked turkey wings.
A splash of Liquid Smoke adds an amazing smoky flavor.
I use Wright’s Liquid Smoke because it contains water and natural hickory smoke concentrate. No preservatives.
OLD-FASHIONED SEASONING: SMOKED HAM HOCKS
I’m often asked what Smoked Ham Hocks look like.
Delighted to share this photo.
Although smoked ham hocks are not very photogenic, they’re loaded with smoked ham flavor.
My aunt in her kitchen. The year is 2019.
My precious aunt posing with cured salt pork, her preferred seasoning. She has rheumatoid arthritis which has twisted her hands. Yet, she can still cook and bake.
We prefer the Royal Foods brand, a family-owned company based in Alabama.
ENJOY!
Calories and nutritional information not included with recipes on this site.
Smoky Collard Greens are loaded with delicious smoky flavor. Serve as a side or main dish. Easy to make with a few ingredients. Serve as a side or main dish.  Recipe and photography by Beverly Davis for CornbreadMillionaire.com.
Prep Time25mins
Cook Time45mins
Total Time1hr10mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, southern
Keyword: collards
Servings: 6servings
Ingredients
2large bunchesfresh collardsOr use two 16-ounce bags chopped collards
water for washing
1/2cupsalt for washing
2teaspoonsgranulated sugarEliminates bitterness.
salt to taste
coarse ground black pepper to taste
2smoked ham hocks1 medium ham bone OR 1 smoked turkey wing
water for boiling
3tablespoonsLiquid Smoke
4tablespoonsCajun Hot Sauce (optional)
Instructions
Remove leaves from thick stalk if using collards fresh from the garden. Discard stalk.
Remove thick end of stalk from each leaf. This step is optional because the stalks are tasty and add texture.
Thoroughly wash collard leaves in a sink filled with hot water and 1/2 cup of salt. This will remove debris, large and small insects.
Rinse in warm water, Repeat 3 times!!
WASH & RINSE 3 times!!!
Stack rinsed leaves. Roll and cut into bite-sized pieces.
In a large saucepan, add collard greens, smoked ham hocks or one smoked ham bone (or preferred meat).
Sprinkle sugar, salt and coarse ground black pepper over the top.
Cover with water. Stir until well combined.
Cover with lid and simmer over medium heat for 25 minutes.
Stir in Liquid Smoke. Cover with lid and continue simmering 10 minutes OR until desired tenderness.
If water drops low before collards are done, cover with more fresh water. Continue simmering until done.
When collards are done, remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of Cajun Hot Sauce (optional).
Serve hot or warm.
NOTE: For extra flavor, place cooked collard greens in a zippered bag or container with an airtight lid. Refrigerate overnight. They will marinate in the seasonings and taste even better the next day.
Hi Ruthie! Neck bones are also delicious!! You must try collard greens at least once. Make one bunch or purchase a side dish from a soul food restaurant. Enjoy!
Hi Ruthie! Neck bones are also delicious. You should try collards at least once. Make one bunch or purchase from a soul food restaurant. I hope you love ’em as much as we do. Thanks for visiting my site. Please come again!
Hi,
I happened upon your Information on Facebook. I enjoyed seeing the bundt cornbread, and continued on to see some of your other recipes. I am interested in your cookbook, how can I obtain one?
Hi Joenita! My cookbook will be available for purchase soon. I’ve placed your name on my email list and you will receive advance notice when it is available. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please come again!
I love the idea of putting in sugar to cut down of the bitterness of the collards.Will try on the next time. Thanks
Yes, sugar gets rid of bitterness. Greatly appreciate you visiting this site and commenting. Please come again!
I much preferred neck bones over ham hocks. Lots more meat. Not a criticism, just an observation. I had never tried collard greens. Dumb yankee
Hi Ruthie! Neck bones are also delicious!! You must try collard greens at least once. Make one bunch or purchase a side dish from a soul food restaurant. Enjoy!
Hi Ruthie! Neck bones are also delicious. You should try collards at least once. Make one bunch or purchase from a soul food restaurant. I hope you love ’em as much as we do. Thanks for visiting my site. Please come again!
Thanks
You’re welcome!
Great recipes, keep them coming.
Thank you for the encouraging words! Will do.
Great recipe! PS: Smoked turkey legs are sooo good too!
Hi Vanessa! Thank you. Yes, smoked turkey legs are good!
thanks for your fabulous website, you can get jugs of wright’s liquid smoke from amazon or instacart through restaurant depot.
Jiggs, greatly appreciate your visit and your purchasing tip. I will look for a jug full because I LOVE Wright’s Liquid Smoke. LOL
Hi,
I happened upon your Information on Facebook. I enjoyed seeing the bundt cornbread, and continued on to see some of your other recipes. I am interested in your cookbook, how can I obtain one?
Hi Joenita! My cookbook will be available for purchase soon. I’ve placed your name on my email list and you will receive advance notice when it is available. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please come again!