Slow-Cooker Collard Greens With Ham Hocks

Ham hocks add tons of flavor to these slow-cooker collard greens. Collard greens are a Southern favorite regardless of how they're prepared, but this recipe is the easiest way we've ever gone about cooking them.

Cooking this classic Southern side in a slow cooker not only frees you up to prepare other dishes, it frees up valuable stovetop space, as well. You can also make this holiday favorite a week or two ahead and freeze in airtight bags, or make collard greens a day or two in advance and refrigerate in the slow-cooker insert (if you have room!).

The convenience of prewashed and chopped greens, widely available in stores, makes this dish even easier to prepare. Washing and re-washing sandy greens can take a lot of time.

Cooking the greens and ham hocks on low for nine hours ensures that all the flavors meld together beautifully. This is a great side dish to put in the slow cooker in the morning and have ready at dinnertime.

What Are Collard Greens?

Collard greens are a staple Southern green vegetable. Part of the Brassica oleracea plant species—along with similar greens like cabbage or spinach—braised collard greens are a classic side dish with recipes passed down through generations of Southern cooks. When braised low and slow, these hearty greens become tender and silky, with the added bonus of salty ham to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Collard greens are enjoyed year-round, but are a particular favorite on New Year’s Day, when they’re served alongside black-eyed peas and cornbread to symbolize good luck and prosperity in the new year.                          

What is pot likkor (or pot liquor)?

Collard greens simmer in a rich broth that deepens in flavor as the greens cook. This liquid is known as Pot Likker. So good you could drink it, this broth can be saved and added to soups or stews or enjoyed in the moment by dunking in warm cornbread.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

To make this classic side dish, you'll need:

• Smoked ham hocks: The ham hocks flavor the greens, and the meat is shredded and added back into the pot for serving. You can swap the ham hocks with smoked turkey wings or legs, if preferred. You'll also find recipes that call for bacon or chopped smoked ham to be added in the place of the ham hocks. Looking for a vegetarian version? This recipe calls for fire-roasted diced tomatoes as an accent in the place of ham.
  
• Canned chicken broth: The liquid base for braising the greens.
• Prewashed chopped fresh collard greens: A great time-saver; washing and chopping fresh collard greens takes time and patience. If you do prefer to break down your own greens, check out our Southern-Style Collard Greens recipe for recommendations on washing and trimming.
• Sweet onion: Adds flavor to the greens.
• Light brown sugar: A hint of sweetness to contrast the bitterness of the collard greens. Can substitute with dark brown sugar or maple syrup.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adding vinegar to greens is a must. The acidity contrasts the fattiness of the ham and broth, and brings the whole dish to life after a long braise.
• Kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper: To season the greens.

How To Make Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Making this traditional dish doesn't get easier than this method.

• Step 1. Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker.
• Step 2. Cover and cook on LOW for 9 hours.
• Step 3. Remove ham hocks, shred the meat, and add it back into the pot. Serve hot.

Can Slow-Cooker Collard Greens With Ham Hocks Be Made Ahead?

You can make the collard greens up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate them in the slow-cooker insert, or transfer to an airtight container. If in the insert, bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before returning it to the slow cooker to reheat the greens. (Immediately heating a chilled insert could cause it to crack.)

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Collard Greens With Ham Hocks

Refrigerate leftover collard greens in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat on the stovetop until hot throughout before serving.

What To Serve With Slow-Cooker Collard Greens With Ham Hocks

Collard greens can be enjoyed throughout the year as a flavorful vegetable side dish, or even as a main course served up with cornbread. Serve alongside mac and cheese, skillet cornbread, biscuits and gravy, black-eyed peas, potato salad, green beans, and more of your favorite Southern sides.

More Classic Southern Side Dishes You'll Love

Don't forget these favorite side dishes:

• Old-School Green Bean Casserole
• Creamy Fried Confetti Corn
• Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Broccoli Cheese Casserole
• Best Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
• Fried Pecan Okra
• Best-Ever Succotash
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Hush Puppies
• Home-Style Butterbeans

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.