Description
Traditional Southern collard greens slow-simmered with smoky turkey leg create the perfect side dish for celebrating Juneteenth with authentic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 large smoked turkey leg, fully cooked
- 32 oz. collard greens, thoroughly washed and cut into strips
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Hot sauce for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in your large pot over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add diced onions and cook until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, add red pepper flakes and the smoked turkey leg.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer gently for 20-30 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Remove turkey leg with tongs and let cool on a plate.
- Pull meat from bone and cut into bite-size pieces.
- Return meat and skin to the pot for extra flavor.
- Simmer for 10 more minutes to meld flavors.
- Add collard greens, pushing them down into the liquid.
- Cover and simmer 45-60 minutes until greens reach desired tenderness, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with a few drops of hot sauce on top.
Notes
- Remove thick stems from collard greens before cooking—they stay tough even after long cooking times
- Stack leaves and roll them up before cutting to create uniform strips that cook evenly
- Don’t skip the turkey skin—it adds incredible flavor and richness to the pot liquor
- The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld overnight
- Save the nutrient-rich pot liquor to drink or use as a base for soups and stews
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern/Soul Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Southern collard greens recipe, smoked turkey greens, traditional soul food, Juneteenth side dishes, pot liquor recipe, African American cuisine, holiday greens recipe