Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds collard greens, washed and chopped
- 1 pound smoked ham hocks or diced ham
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance bitterness)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing)
Instructions:
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic (Optional):
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped.
- Add Ingredients to Crock Pot:
- In the crock pot, combine the collard greens, sautéed onion and garlic (if using), ham hocks or diced ham, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the collard greens are tender.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve:
- Remove the ham hocks, if used, and shred the meat from the bones to add back to the greens. Serve hot as a side dish or over rice for a hearty meal.
Enjoy! 🍽️
This Crock Pot Collard Greens and Ham dish is perfect for a comforting meal and pairs wonderfully with cornbread!