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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish Recipes

    Southern Collard Greens (Soul Food)

    Published: Mar 26, 2025 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    Here’s the thing, Southern collard greens should be tender and full of flavor. But if you’ve ever had greens that were bitter, tough, or just lacking in flavor, you know how disappointing that can be. That’s why I’m sharing the method I grew up on with a little twist. Serve them alongside my crispy, golden Cajun fried chicken and my incredibly moist skillet cornbread.

    In my family, collard greens were more than just a side dish they were a tradition. My grandmothers always mixed in mustard greens for an extra layer of flavor, and trust me, it makes all the difference. And, while they swore by ham hocks for that smoky taste, I’ve put a modern spin on it by using a smoked turkey leg. Instead of braising the greens in plain water, I use chicken broth to infuse the greens with even more richness. For a little kick I throw in a jalapeño pepper.

    If you’ve ever struggled with bitter greens, bland pot liquor, or greens that don’t bring back those Sunday dinner memories this recipe is for you.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Storage and Reheat
    • Cree's Tips
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    These Southern-style greens is proof that a handful of simple, everyday ingredients can come together to build the most flavorful dish. In this recipe, the smoked turkey leg, the addition of mustard greens, and the kick from the jalapeño simmered together with the collards create that flavor that we know and love. You'll need:

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Making Southern collard greens is easier than you might think. The key is a slow simmer and adding the right flavors. From the smoky turkey leg, to the perfect seasoning blend, this method will have your greens tender, flavorful, and full of that classic soul food taste.

    • Boil the smoked turkey leg to begin releasing its flavor.
    • Pick the greens by removing the stems, then wash them thoroughly. Add ONLY the collard greens to the Dutch oven with the smoked turkey leg and cover.
    • Let the collard greens cook down until they're nearly done .
    • Then, add in the mustard greens and continue to simmer until the greens are tender.
    • When the greens are done, season them.
    • Remove the smoked turkey leg, shred the tender meat with a fork and return it back to the pot of greens.

    Refer to recipe card below for detailed instructions.

    Storage and Reheat

    Leftover collard greens can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to let them cool down to room temperature before storing them.

    When reheating, place them in a pot on the stovetop over low heat until hot.

    Cree's Tips

    1. It's important to wash your greens repeatedly to make sure they’re clean. My grandmother always added a little salt to the water, believing it helped get rid of any bugs. Hey, she did it, so I do the same.
    2. When selecting your greens, avoid the pre-bagged ones. They often have too many stems and the leaves are cut too small, in my opinion. Instead buy fresh, whole greens- they'll give you the best texture and flavor.
    3. I recommend boiling the smoked turkey leg for 1 to 2 hours before adding the greens. This tenderizes the meat and infuses the water with that smoky flavor. You can prep this step the day before- just be sure to store the turkey leg and that flavored water together in the fridge, so you can use it later in your greens. DO NOT GET RID OF THAT FLAVORED WATER.
    4. When selecting your greens, be sure to choose ones that are nice and green avoid any yellow leaves. Make sure the bunch is full and the leaves are green and beautiful.
    5. For ease, I like to pick, wash, and cut my greens one or two days before, and I store them in large Ziploc bags in the fridge. This makes cooking day a breeze.
    6. Before adding your jalapeño to the pot, remove the stem and discard it. You don’t want to be hunting for it later. Then, remove the jalapeño once the greens are done cooking.

    📖 Recipe

    Tender collard and mustard greens in a white bowl with smoked shredded turkey.

    Soul Food Collard and Mustard Greens with Smoked Turkey

    By Cree
    Soul Food Collard and Mustard Greens with Smoked Turkey
    If you’ve ever struggled with bitter greens, bland pot liquor, or greens that don’t bring back those Sunday dinner memories this recipe is for you.
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    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours hours 8 minutes minutes
    Boil Smoked Turkey Leg (before adding greens): 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 3 hours hours 38 minutes minutes
    Calories: 180kcal
    Soul Food Collard and Mustard Greens with Smoked Turkey

    Equipment

    • Dutch Oven
    • Chef's knife
    • Measuring spoons
    • measuring cup

    Ingredients 

    • 5 bunches collard greens
    • 3 bunches mustard greens
    • 29 oz low sodium chicken broth (or 2-14 oz cans)
    • 1 smoked turkey leg
    • 1 jalapeno (or 2 jalapenos)
    • ½ tablespoon kosher salt (taste and add an additional 1-teaspoon if necessary)
    • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
    • ½ tablespoon onion powder

    Instructions

    • Start by boiling the smoked turkey leg. In a large pot, cover the turkey leg with water (fill it about 3 inches above the leg). You do not want a pot full of water. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the turkey leg.
    • Meanwhile, remove the tough stems from the collard and mustard greens. You can do this by cutting along the spine of the leaf, then discard the stems. Or, you can do what I do and gently pull the leaf away from the stem using your hand then discard the stems. Do the method that feels comfortable for you and is faster. Once you get into rhythm, it goes pretty fast.
    • Thoroughly wash your collard and mustard greens to remove any dirt and grit. I recommend doing this repeatedly in cold water with a little salt until they're thoroughly clean. Adding a little salt to the water is a technique my grandmother used.
    • When your greens are clean, stack several leaves on top of each other then cut the leaves into strips, around 2 inches wide. Set them aside.
    • To the same pot with the smoked turkey leg, raise the temperature back to medium and add the chicken broth and the cut COLLARD GREENS ONLY a little at a time, until they fit. They may need to wilt down before adding more depending on the size of your pot. Cover the pot with the lid. Stir occasionally to make sure they cook evenly.
    • When they begin to boil, lower the heat and let them simmer for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then, use a fork to taste test to check if they're nearly tender. If so, add the cut mustard greens. Cover the pot again with the lid but this time tilt the lid and let everything simmer for another 50 minutes or until perfectly tender. Use a fork to taste test for tenderness.
    • If they're nice and tender, now season with kosher salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Continue to taste test to see if you'd like to add a little more kosher salt. If so, do a little at a time - maybe start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon.
    • Remove the jalapeno and discard. Then, remove the smoked turkey leg and put on a clean plate. Then, use a fork to shred the meat then sprinkle the shredded meat into the pot of greens.
    • Serve them hot with your favorite protein or fried chicken and cornbread.

    Video

    Notes

    1. It's important to wash your greens repeatedly to make sure they’re clean. My grandmother always added a little salt to the water, believing it helped get rid of any bugs. Hey, she did it, so I do the same.
    2. When selecting your greens, avoid the pre-bagged ones. They often have too many stems and the leaves are cut too small, in my opinion. Instead buy fresh, whole greens- they'll give you the best texture and flavor.
    3. I recommend boiling the smoked turkey leg for 1 to 2 hours before adding the greens. This tenderizes the meat and infuses the water with that smoky flavor. You can prep this step the day before- just be sure to store the turkey leg and that flavored water together in the fridge, so you can use it later in your greens. DO NOT GET RID OF THAT FLAVORED WATER.
    4. When selecting your greens, be sure to choose ones that are nice and green avoid any yellow leaves. Make sure the bunch is full and the leaves are green and beautiful.
    5. For ease, I like to pick, wash, and cut my greens one or two days before, and I store them in large Ziploc bags in the fridge. This makes cooking day a breeze.
    6. Before adding your jalapeño to the pot, remove the stem and discard it. You don’t want to be hunting for it later. Then, remove the jalapeño once the greens are done cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 550mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5993IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 297mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this Recipe? Don’t forget to give this recipe a Star Rating and Leave a Comment below- I’d love to hear from you.
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    HEY, I'M CREE

    I’m excited to share all things food from my perspective while bringing together Southern, Cajun, and Soul food with a modern vibe so if we haven't met.

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