Southern Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

These Collard Greens with Ham Hocks are a traditional greens recipe and a classic soul food side dish, made with a simple two-stage simmer for deep, comforting flavor. Seared ham hocks add a smoky richness and depth to the tender greens, making them the kind of side dish that belongs at the heart of a Southern meal. 

I've been making this recipe for more than 20 years, and it has become my most famous holiday dish-the one everyone seems to ask for year after year.

I have a friend who lives in the South who always tells me that greens are serious business, and she's right that everyone has their own way of making them. My recipe is inspired by the flavors of hers, with a few of my own touches that have made it a family favorite. 

Love the smoky, savory flavors in these greens? Our sautéed greens and bacon are another vegetable side worth trying. 

Ingredients

Below are the key elements of these Dutch oven greens, and you can typically find them at your local grocery store.

• Ham hocks: Use smoked ham hocks for the classic flavor, choosing the meatiest ones you can find in the meat section or from a butcher. A ham bone works too, as I use in this old-fashioned ham and bean soup for smoky flavor, too.
• Chicken stock: Use unsalted chicken stock. Salted stock combined with the ham hocks and seasoned salt can make the greens far too salty. 
• Collard greens: Bagged, pre-chopped collards are a convenient shortcut and save you from all the trimming and washing. If using fresh bundles, remove the stems and wash the greens 3-4 times until the water runs clear. 
• Seasoned salt: This varies by brand, so taste the pot before adding more to avoid over-salting.
• Butter: Stirring in butter at the end rounds out the pot likker and gives the finished greens a smooth, glossy finish.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Smoked turkey: Replace the ham hocks with smoked turkey wings, necks, or legs. Smoked turkey tails also work well, while bacon or salt pork adds a different smoky flavor. 
• Tangy finish: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to each serving just before eating. This traditional table finish brightens the rich, savory greens. 
• Add sugar: If the greens taste bitter, add a pinch of sugar for sweetness to gently balance the flavor.
• Spicy: Add a pinch or two of crushed red pepper to the greens as they cook or serve up Southern pepper sauce or Tabasco on the table so everyone can add as they want.

How to Make Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Below are the steps needed to make these collard greens and ham hocks in your own kitchen! There's minimal prep beforehand, which is just measuring your spices.

Step 1: Score and sear the ham hocks. Start by scoring the ham hocks in a diamond pattern, just enough to expose the meat under the skin. Then, sear them in the Dutch oven (or very large pot/skillet) over medium-high heat on all sides.

Step 2: Add stock and simmer. Once browned, pour in the stock, stir in the garlic and onion powder, and bring it to a boil. Now reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook the ham hocks for 2 hours.

Step 3: Add the collards. Remove the ham hocks to cool and add the collard greens.

Step 4: Season and simmer. Stir in the seasoned salt and black pepper. Bring it to a boil again, then reduce it to a simmer and cook for another 2 hours.

Step 5: Shred the ham and add it. When the ham cools, shred it off the bone. Add it back to the pot with the butter.

Step 6: Stir and serve. Give it a good stir, and it's ready once the butter is melted and the ham is warm again. Enjoy a heaping scoopful with air fryer turkey drumsticks!

These slow cooker collard greens are another one of my favorite ways to make this side dish.

Serving Suggestions

• Build a classic Southern plate: Serve these collard greens alongside fried chicken breast or chicken biscuit casserole, and a couple of your favorite Southern sides for a comforting family dinner.
• Add them to a holiday spread: Collard greens make a hearty addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other family gatherings, especially alongside ham, turkey, old-fashioned candied sweet potatoes, and other traditional favorites. 
• Serve them with your favorite main: A pot of collards works just as well for a Sunday dinner as it does for a special occasion. Pair them with roasted, baked, or fried meat, like pork chops with tomato gravy, and a simple starch for a satisfying meal. 
• Make the leftovers part of another meal: The flavors are even better the next day, so serve leftover collards alongside a simple dinner of rice and beans, roasted meat, or another favorite Southern-inspired dish.

More Delicious Southern Side Dishes

Do you like southern side dishes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!