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Instant Pot Southern Collard Greens

This Southern-Style Instant Pot Collard Greens recipe offers a quick and easy way to create this traditional dish without sacrificing the rich, savory taste that makes it a favorite. This pressure cooker method brings you tender, flavorful collard greens are seasoned with smoked turkey, ham hocks, or bacon in a fraction of the usual cooking time. 

instant pot collard greens in white bowls with smoked turkey with an Instant Pot in back
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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.

Brandi’s Key Ingredients

  • Collard Greens
  • Olive Oil
  • Smoked Turkey or Ham Hock
  • Broth
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Spices
Brandi Crawford kitchen headshot photo
chicken broth, chopped onions and garlic, a smoked turkey leg, and Creole seasoning on a flat surface

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 Type of Greens to Use and How to Shop for Them

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’re buying whole, leafy greens, choose collard that are a deep, vibrant green with no yellowing or browning. Bright, fresh leaves indicate the greens were recently harvested and will have the best flavor. The leaves should be firm and crisp, not limp or wilting. Avoid bunches with holes or tears, as these may indicate pest damage.

How to Wash Greens

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. If you’re using pre-washed, keep them refrigerated and consume them as soon as possible, as they tend to spoil faster than whole, unwashed greens.

Here’s how you wash full stem greens:

  1. Remove the Stems: Start by cutting or tearing the leaves away from the tough stems. You can fold the leaf in half and slice along the stem to remove it, or simply tear it away by hand.
  2. Rinse Each Leaf: Give each leaf a quick rinse under cold running water to remove loose dirt and debris before soaking them.
  3. Soak in Cold Water: Fill a large bowl, basin, or clean sink with cold water. Submerge the greens and gently swish them around. The dirt and grit will sink to the bottom of the bowl or sink. Let the greens sit for a few minutes to loosen any remaining dirt.
  4. Rinse and Repeat: Lift the greens out of the water (don’t pour the water out with the greens still in it, or you’ll dump the dirt back on them). Drain and discard the dirty water, then refill the bowl or sink with fresh cold water. Repeat the soaking and swishing process 2-3 times until the water is clear and free of dirt.
  5. Dry the Greens: After washing, shake off excess water from the leaves. Pat dry.
  6. Optional: For extra cleaning power, add a splash of white vinegar or a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. This can help remove bacteria and pesticide residues.

Check out this post for more helpful tips on How to Clean Collard Greens.

pre-cut and pre-washed Glory Greens collard greens in a bag

What Type of Meat to Use for Seasoning

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.

smoked turkey leg in a package

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.

For spices I like to use my Homemade Collard Greens Seasoning or Creole Seasoning.

How to Make Instant Pot Southern Collard Greens

Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  1. Add olive oil and onions to the pot on Saute mode. Cook until translucent and then add garlic.
  2. Add the collard greens, smoked turkey, chicken broth, and Creole Seasoning to the pot.
  3. Close the lid and seal.
  4. Pressure Cook.
collage photo of raw collard greens in a glass bowl, onions cooking in an Instant Pot, and raw collard greens and a smoked turkey leg in an Instant Pot

Cook Time/How Long to Cook

Cook the collard greens for 25 minutes with a quick release of the steam.

collage photo of a cooked smoked turkey leg, shredded smoked turkey on a cutting board, cooked collard greens and smoked turkey in an Instant Pot

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!

cooked collard greens in an Instant Pot with a wooden spoon
cooked collard greens in an Instant Pot with a wooden spoon

Collard Greens Storage and Freezing Tips

You can refrigerate collard greens for 3-4 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.

image of collard greens in a white bowl

Vegetarian or Vegan Collard Greens

You can omit the smoked meat for meatless greens and add flavors like liquid smoke, paprika, red pepper flakes, or vegetable bouillon cubes for flavor.

image of collard greens in a white bowl
image of collard greens in a white bowl

No serving of collard greens would be complete without a nice slice of cornbread. Pair this with my Southern Style Homemade Cornbread.

image of collard greens in a white bowl with cornbread

More Recipes for Greens

Check out the Best Southern Soul Food Collard Greens Recipes here.
Southern Turnip Greens
Collard Greens and Ham Hocks
Southern Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Slow Cooker Crockpot Collard Greens
Mixed Greens with Collards and Turnips
Sauteed Collard Greens

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. Watch step by step video instructions on how to make this recipe here on Youtube.

instant pot collard greens in white bowls with smoked turkey
Print Pin
4.99 from 55 votes

Instant Pot Southern Collard Greens

This Southern-Style Instant Pot Collard Greens recipe offers a quick and easy way to create this traditional dish without sacrificing the rich, savory taste that makes it a favorite. This pressure cooker method brings you tender, flavorful collard greens are seasoned with smoked turkey, ham hocks, or bacon in a fraction of the usual cooking time. 
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword Instant Pot collard greens, pressure cooker collard greens, soul food collard greens
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Instant Pot to come to pressure 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 151kcal

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. 
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Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 2g
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Nutrition DataMacros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
4.99 from 55 votes
Recipe Rating




Dwayne J

Saturday 28th of September 2024

Great recipe. Very flavorful. Family really enjoyed this.

staysnatched

Sunday 29th of September 2024

I'm so glad the family enjoyed it!

Christine Parthenay

Monday 15th of July 2024

This recipe is so easy! Turns out awesome every time. We have used smoked turkey, hammocks and homemade smoked ham. Used whole sliced white onion.

staysnatched

Friday 19th of July 2024

Yum!

TS

Monday 1st of January 2024

Got my greens in for the New Year. So easy & so delicious.

staysnatched

Monday 1st of January 2024

A must!

Elizabeth

Monday 25th of December 2023

Back here again! Always my go to recipe!

staysnatched

Thursday 28th of December 2023

So glad to hear it!

Ashley

Friday 24th of November 2023

I’ve reviewed this recipe in the past but I have to leave another one because it’s been a while. I make these collard greens so much I have the recipe memorized. Every family get together I’m on duty for collards and I tell everyone I owe it all to Brandi!

staysnatched

Sunday 26th of November 2023

Thank you Ashley!