Low Sodium Southern Style Collard Greens
Enjoy a healthier twist on a Southern classic with this flavorful recipe for Low Sodium Southern Style Collard Greens. Packed with the smoky, savory taste you love but without added salt, this dish combines tender ribbons of fresh collard greens with aromatic onions, garlic, and a kick of smoked paprika. Simmered to perfection in low-sodium vegetable broth with a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang, and enhanced with a touch of liquid smoke and red pepper flakes, these greens offer a bold and satisfying taste that's perfect as a side or even a light main dish. Easy to prepare and simmering to hearty tenderness in just an hour, these collard greens are ideal for family dinners, holiday spreads, or anyone seeking a nutritious and low-sodium comfort food option.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh collard greens
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp liquid smoke
Instructions
Wash the collard greens thoroughly to remove any grit or dirt. Remove the tough stems by running a knife along both sides of the stem, and then stack and roll the leaves into a bundle before slicing them into 1-inch ribbons.
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and stir well to coat the onions and garlic, allowing the spices to become fragrant for about 30 seconds.
Add the sliced collard greens to the pot in batches, stirring to wilt down each batch before adding more.
Pour in the apple cider vinegar and stir to deglaze the bottom of the pot, loosening any flavorful browned bits.
Add the low-sodium vegetable broth, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and liquid smoke. Stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the collard greens simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary (but avoid adding salt to keep the recipe low sodium).
Serve the collard greens warm as a side dish or enjoy them as a healthy, flavorful main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
115 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 5.6 g | 7% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.7 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 122 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 15.0 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.0 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.4 g | ||
| Protein | 5.2 g | 10% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 369 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 1.0 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 489 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
