Crock pot Collard Greens

If you are looking for an easy side dish this holiday season, make Crock Pot Collard Greens. Easy to make and loaded with smoky ham flavor.

Easy Slow Cooker Collard Greens Recipe:

This collard greens is a delicious southern style recipe that pairs perfectly with all your holiday meats. The ingredients are simple and perfect to add in your leftover ham hock.

This smoky flavor collard greens cooks perfectly in the slow cooker. Combining the bacon, bacon grease and ham makes this recipe so delicious. The collard greens cook soft and tender with so much flavor.

Make this easy side dish for your holiday dinner. If you love collard greens, then make them in the slow cooker. It makes it so much easier as the crock pot does all the work.

What are Collard Greens?

Collard Greens is a traditional side dish that is in the same family as Kale, cabbage, and turnips. It is a dark green leaf that has a tough stem that needs to be removed before cooking.

Ingredients:

• Smoked Ham Hock
• Slices Thick Cut Bacon cooked and chopped
• Bacon Grease drippings
• Collard Greens remove the ribs and stems then cut the greens into pieces
• Minced Garlic
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper
• Water

How to Make Collard Greens in the Crock Pot:

• Step 1 – Place Prepared Greens in Slow Cooker – Place the collard greens in a 6 quart crock pot. 
• Step 2 – Add Ham Hock – Top the ham hock.
• Step 3 – Add in remaining ingredients – Next, add in the bacon, bacon grease, and minced garlic. Mix apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper and water to the crock pot.
• Step 4 – Slow Cook Ingredients – Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Or on high for 3.5-4 hours until the ham hocks are tender. 

• Step 5 – Remove ham Hocks – Remove the ham hocks from the crock pot, discard the skins and shred any meat off. 
• Step 6 – Stir Meat in – Stir the meat back into the crock pot with the greens. 
• Step 7 – Serve – Serve warm and enjoy.

How Long to Cook Collard Greens in the Slow Cooker:

When we making collard greens in the slow cooker, we recommend cooking on low for about 7 hours. You can also cook on high for about 4 hours.

Can I use Mustard, Turnip or Kale?

Collard greens are sometimes hard to find. You can substitute by using the same amount of mustard greens, turnip or kale.

Can I use Can Collard Greens?

Canned collard greens will work for this recipe. Cooking time will change since these collard greens are already cooked. Place the collard greens in the slow cooker and only cook on low for 2 hours.

I would still add in the cooked bacon, bacon grease and seasoning but skip on the ham hock. Unless the ham hock is fully cooked.

Variations for Ham Hock:

If you do not have a ham hock, feel free to use another option for the flavor. Add in slice kielbasa or smoked sausage. Smoked turkey, diced or slice ham is another great option to give it that smoky flavor.

Adding in additional seasoning is also an option when making this recipe. For a hint of sweetness, add in a tablespoon of brown sugar. For a more spicier side dish, add in a teaspoon or two of red pepper flakes.

We used water in this recipe, but you can substitute it for chicken broth or vegetable broth. This will add to the delicious flavor.

What to Serve with Collard Greens Crock Pot Recipe:

This Collard Green recipe is perfect to serve with your holiday meats such as turkey or ham. These are a few of our other main dishes that we like to serve with this side.

• Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin – This Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin is loaded with flavor. The bacon slices keeps the pork loin juicy. Top the pork loin with a ketchup based sauce for added flavor.
• Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf – If you are looking to change up your holiday meal, make this bacon wrapped meatloaf recipe. Serve this with meatloaf with this side dish and mashed potatoes.

How to Store Crockpot Collard Greens Leftovers:

Place the leftovers in a air tight container in the fridge. If stored properly the collard greens will stay good for up to 4 days.

Print Recipe for Crock Pot Collard Greens:

More Crock Pot Side Dishes:

• Green Beans and Potatoes Crock Pot Recipe
• Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
• Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes