Instant Pot Southern Collard Greens is a quick and easy electric pressure cooker recipe seasoned with smoked turkey. You can also use mustard or turnip greens. These collards can be cooked with bacon, ham hocks, country ham, or vegetarian without any meat. Add in a little vinegar if preferred.
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FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Cooking collard greens in the Instant Pot is the new wave for us. The cook time is amazing and will save you a ton of extra time, especially around the holidays.
Collard greens are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. They are also keto and low-carb, which is a major win!
Are Collard Greens Healthy?
A serving of collards is lower in calories and higher in calcium and still has the same vitamins as kale. Many argue that collard greens are a healthier alternative to kale. Check out this post on Ditching Kale for Collard Greens.
What Meat is Used to Season Collard Greens?
My family switched from using salt pork and ham hocks to season our greens years ago. We now use either a smoked turkey leg or turkey wing. I love to use turkey wings, too, but sometimes they are harder to find.
You can of course still use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon to season the greens. If you are planning to use bacon I recommend that you cook the bacon in the Instant Pot on the Saute’ function, and omit the olive oil used in this recipe. Cook the onions in the bacon fat.
Remove the bacon and crumble. Set aside until after the collards have cooked. Sprinkle the bacon throughout once cooked.
How to Cook and Make Southern Collard Greens in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
I like to buy pre-washed and pre-cut collard greens. Glory Greens makes a batch that I love. You can visit their site and type in your zip code to find a location that carries them in your area. Pre-washed greens cuts down the prep time DRAMATICALLY and pairs well with the speedy time of cooking greens in an Instant Pot.
If you aren’t using pre-washed and pre-cut you will have to clean and cut them yourself. It can be very time consuming, especially depending on how big your batch of greens is. Check out this post on How to Clean Collard Greens for helpful tips.
- Add olive oil and onions to the pot on Saute mode. Cook until translucent and then add garlic.
- Add the collard greens, smoked turkey, chicken broth, and Creole Seasoning to the pot.
- Close the lid and seal.
- Pressure Cook.
How Long to Cook Collard Greens in Instant Pot
Cook the collard greens for 25 minutes with a quick release of the steam.
How to Double the Collard Greens Recipe
Greens will wilt… A TON! When you first add them to the pot it will feel like a lot, but they will shrink a lot. I have fit 2 pounds of greens in my 6 quart Instant Pot, easily.
So you can double the recipe (I would opt for the same size smoked turkey, or no more than a half pound larger), but keep the cooking time the same.
If you have an 8 quart you can fit a ton more collards in the pot!
Collard Greens Storage and Freezing Tips
You can refrigerate collard greens for 5-7 days. I like to freeze collards in sealable plastic bags with the broth and juice. When you defrost the greens won’t be dry and they will retain their flavor.
Vegetarian or Vegan Collard Greens
Omit the smoked turkey for meatless collard greens. Use vegetable broth. Add in 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for flavor.
No serving of collard greens would be complete without a nice slice of cornbread. Pair this with my Southern Style Homemade Cornbread.
More Recipes for Greens
Southern Turnip Greens
Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
More Southern Recipes
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans
Okra and Tomatoes
Instant Pot Cabbage
Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Gumbo
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Southern Potato Salad
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Holiday Recipes
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Air Fryer Turkey
Click here for a complete listing of Instant Pot Recipes and Southern Soul Food Recipes.
Instant Pot Southern Collard Greens
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound collard greens trimmed and washed, I buy pre-washed. You can also do a mix of greens. I often do 3/4ths collards and 1/4 mustard greens.
- 1 smoked turkey leg or turkey wing (about 1 pound to 1 1/2 pounds) fully cooked, You can find turkey legs and wings at most grocers. You can also use ham hocks if you wish.
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on the Sauté function. Add the olive oil and onions to the pot.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add the garlic or the pot and stir.
- Next, add half of the collard greens to the pot. Layer in the turkey leg and add the remaining greens to the pot. Don’t worry the greens will wilt down a ton.
- Add the chicken broth and Creole seasoning.
- Place the lid on the pot and seal.
- Cook for 25 minutes on Manual > High Pressure Cooking.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, quick release the steam.
- Open the pot and remove the turkey. Shred the meat from the bone and return the meat to the pot.
- Stir to combine and serve.
Video
Notes
- You can of course still use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon to season the greens. If you are planning to use bacon I recommend that you cook the bacon in the Instant Pot on the Saute’ function, and omit the olive oil used in this recipe. Cook the onions in the bacon fat. Remove the bacon and crumble. Set aside until after the collards have cooked. Sprinkle the bacon throughout once cooked.
- Once the greens have cooked, taste repeatedly for flavor. I never add salt to the greens because the smoked turkey does the job, but I do taste to see if it needs more Creole Seasoning.
- If you like vinegar on your collard greens (my mom eats them this way!) add it in after the collard greens have been pressure cooked.
- I have fit 2 pounds of greens in my 6 quart Instant Pot, easily. So you can double the recipe (I would opt for the same size smoked turkey or no more than a half pound larger), but keep the cooking time the same. If you have an 8 quart you can fit a ton more collards in the pot!
- You can refrigerate collard greens for 5-7 days. I like to freeze collards in sealable plastic bags with the broth and juice. When you defrost the greens won’t be dry and they will retain their flavor.
Emily
Tuesday 28th of February 2023
I didn't grow up eating collard greens, but the first time I tried them I was hooked! I have made these several times with bacon and they never disappoint. Thanks for giving this midwestern girl lots of amazing Southern recipes!
staysnatched
Tuesday 7th of March 2023
Glad to hear it!
Phil
Sunday 22nd of January 2023
If I double the recipe (2 lbs collard greens) do I need to double the other ingredients, too?
staysnatched
Sunday 22nd of January 2023
It’s depends. Check out the notes to this recipe. It outlines this for you.
Tye
Monday 28th of November 2022
Made these for thanksgiving and they were a hit! I have some leftover bags so I’ll be making more before they expire.
staysnatched
Wednesday 30th of November 2022
So glad to hear it!
Tamika
Saturday 26th of November 2022
This recipe!!! The best greens I have had. I am so glad I tried these for Thanksgiving. They are a hit and will be a staple for me. You really do not miss with these recipes!
staysnatched
Sunday 27th of November 2022
Thank you!
Lori
Saturday 19th of November 2022
This is the only way I prepare my greens now. I like to mix the greens, also. I don 't like using the pre-washed greens. They have too many stems for me. I find myself picking through them to take a lot of the stems out. I buy them when there are no fresh greens. A quick tip: I buy my smoked turkey legs, wings, or necks from H-Mart. They sell them already diced. So convenient when the turkey parts are too large for your pot. Happy Thanksgiving!!
staysnatched
Saturday 19th of November 2022
So glad to hear it!