Nut-Free Southern Style Collard Greens
Transform your kitchen into the heart of Southern comfort with this Nut-Free Southern Style Collard Greens recipe! This dish is a delightful homage to classic Southern cooking, blending tender collard greens with savory aromatics like garlic and onions, a touch of apple cider vinegar for tang, and a hint of brown sugar to balance the flavors beautifully. Simmered to perfection in flavorful broth, these greens are optionally enhanced with smoky turkey for an extra layer of richness. With bold spices like crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper complementing every bite, this recipe proves that soul food can be satisfying and allergen-friendly. Serve it as a crowd-pleasing side dish or a hearty main—ideal for family gatherings or weeknight meals. Perfectly tender and bursting with flavor, these Nut-Free Southern Style Collard Greens are your ticket to Southern culinary bliss!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds collard greens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 1 smoked turkey leg or smoked turkey wings (optional for added flavor)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Wash the collard greens thoroughly to remove any grit. Remove the thick stems by holding a leaf in one hand and stripping the leafy part away from the stem with your other hand. Stack a few leaves, roll them tightly, and slice into 1-inch ribbons.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
If using smoked turkey for flavor, add the turkey leg or wings to the pot at this stage.
Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a simmer. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Add the collard greens to the pot in batches, stirring gently to wilt them down as you go, until everything fits in the pot.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the greens are tender and flavorful. If more liquid is needed during cooking, add a little water or broth.
Remove the smoked turkey and shred the meat, if using, then return the meat to the pot and stir everything together.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or vinegar, as desired.
Serve the collard greens hot as a side dish or on their own. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
908 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.7 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.7 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 80 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 6647 mg | 289% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.2 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.0 g | 139% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.2 g | ||
| Protein | 60.8 g | 122% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1398 mg | 108% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 1734 mg | 37% | |
*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.
