Hearty Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey: A Soul Food Classic

A Celebration of Southern Cooking

Southern cooking is steeped in rich traditions and heartwarming flavors. Recipes like collard greens with smoked turkey have been lovingly passed down through generations, embodying the essence of soul food. These greens are tender, flavorful, and make the perfect side dish to any meal, honoring the deep-rooted culinary heritage of the South.

This classic collard greens recipe boasts a prep time of just 15 minutes, with a slow simmer time of about 1.5 hours, resulting in a total time of around 2 hours. The blend of savory smoked turkey and bold southern spices brings out the best in these greens, creating a dish that is truly comforting.

Slow-simmered collard greens cooked with smoked turkey, onions, and rich Southern seasoning — tender, flavorful, and comforting down to the last bite. A true soul food staple perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, or any family gathering.

🕒 Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

• Servings: 6–8

🧂 Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900g) fresh collard greens, washed and trimmed

• 1 smoked turkey leg or wing (ham hock optional for extra flavor)

• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth or water

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

• 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance bitterness)

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or hot sauce (for finishing)

🔪 Directions

1. Prepare the Greens
   Wash the collard greens thoroughly in cool water to remove grit. Remove tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.

2. Simmer the Smoked Turkey
   In a large pot, combine smoked turkey leg, chicken broth, and onion.
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the turkey to flavor the broth.

3. Add the Greens
   Add collard greens in batches, stirring as they wilt down.
   Add garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar.
   Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Shred the Turkey
   Remove the turkey leg from the pot, shred the meat, and return it to the greens.

5. Finish & Serve
   Stir in apple cider vinegar or hot sauce before serving for a tangy Southern kick.
   Serve warm with cornbread or hot sauce on the side.

💡 Pro Tips

• Use fresh greens if possible — frozen collards tend to lose their texture.

• For deeper flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke or a spoonful of bacon drippings.

• Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days — they taste even better the next day!